Introduction
When people think about risk in financial markets, they usually think about loss.
Questions often include:
- How much money could I lose?
- What if the market falls?
- What if the investment fails?
- What if the trade goes wrong?
These are important considerations.
However, there is another form of risk that receives far less attention.
A risk that exists even when no money is lost.
A risk that affects investors, traders, businesses, and individuals alike.
That risk is opportunity cost.
Every decision involves choosing one path instead of another.
Whenever a choice is made, alternatives are left behind.
Understanding opportunity cost can significantly improve decision-making because it encourages participants to consider not only what they gain, but also what they give up.



