What does a diversified investment portfolio generally provide?

A diversified investment portfolio primarily aims to reduce risk through a variety of assets. This strategy involves investing in different asset classes, such as stocks, bonds, and real estate, as well as in various sectors and geographic regions. By spreading investments across a wide array of assets, diversification helps to mitigate the impact of poor performance in any single investment, thereby stabilizing overall returns and lowering the risk of significant losses.

This approach is grounded in the principle that different assets often react differently to economic changes, market volatility, and various financial events. As a result, when one asset underperforms, others may perform well, balancing out the overall performance of the portfolio. Diversification contributes to achieving a more stable investment outcome over time, making it a fundamental strategy for managing investment risk.

While the other options present appealing qualities, they don't accurately capture the essence of what diversity achieves in a portfolio. For instance, higher returns with lower risk may not always be guaranteed and could be misleading, as higher returns typically come with higher risk. More control over individual investments does not necessarily correlate with a diversified approach, which can sometimes mean less focus on individual performance. Lastly, guaranteed returns do not exist in the investment world; all investments carry some degree of risk, thus emphasizing the