Answer: A portfolio containing 30 randomly selected stocks will have the smallest standard deviation.
Explanation:
A portfolio containing 30 randomly selected stocks tend to have a lesser covariance between the security returns. Also, there will be increased diversification. This increased diversification lowers the risk of portfolio thereby resulting in a lower standard deviation.
Other options are not correct. A portfolio consisting of 30 energy stocks will have a higher level of covariance between the security returns. Therefore, the standard deviation is lower.
A coefficient of variance greater than one will have a high level of variance while a coefficient variance less than 1 has a lower level of variance. A lesser covariance will result to a lower standard deviation and vice-versa.
