Beta expresses volatility relative to a benchmark, usually the S&P 500. A beta of 1.0 means the stock moves in line with the market on average. A beta of 1.5 suggests it swings roughly 50% more than the market; 0.7 means it moves less.
Beta is backward-looking and only captures one kind of risk. A quiet stock (low beta) can still lose money for other reasons — bad management, industry disruption, fraud. Use beta as one signal among several.
See Beta on a real stock
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Open Decision Lab →Frequently asked questions
Is a low-beta stock safer?
It's less volatile day-to-day, but not necessarily safer. Beta ignores business quality, valuation, and company-specific risk.
What is a negative beta?
A negative beta means the stock tends to move opposite the market. Gold miners and certain hedges sometimes exhibit this behaviour.