Glossary term

Sharpe ratio

Sharpe ratio compares excess return with volatility in a simplified risk-adjusted return calculation.

Plain meaning

What Sharpe ratio means

Sharpe ratio is often calculated as portfolio return minus risk-free rate, divided by volatility. It expresses excess return per unit of volatility under the model assumptions.

Formula role

How OpenBook uses it

OpenBook's Sharpe ratio calculator uses the entered return, risk-free rate, and volatility. If volatility is zero, the ratio is unavailable because the denominator is zero.

Common boundary

Why it is only one risk lens

Sharpe ratio is a statistical summary, not a complete risk assessment. It does not directly show drawdowns, tax effects, concentration, liquidity, currency risk, sequence risk, or whether volatility is an appropriate risk measure for the purpose being tested.