This discussion has 2 parts:
Understanding risk:
Part A: Stock A has a standard deviation of 10% and an expected return of 8%. Stock B has a standard deviation of 15% and an expected return of 11%. A client wants to know which stock has a better risk-return profile. How would you answer her?
Part B: Stock C has a standard deviation of 20% and a beta of 1.20. Stock D has a standard deviation of 16% and a beta of 1.44. A client wants to know which stock is riskier. How would you answer her?
The material in Chapter 8 of the required text clearly illustrates that there are tangible benefits for individual investors that diversify their portfolios. It makes sense then too for corporations do diversify their product or service portfolios. Or does it? Be sure to read the supplemental readings related to corporate diversification and offer your views on whether corporate diversification is beneficial for the owners (i.e., the shareholders) of the corporation.
