Portfolio Beta Calculator

Calculate weighted portfolio beta from individual asset betas. See CAPM expected return, market scenario analysis, and beta contribution by asset.

About the Portfolio Beta Calculator

Portfolio beta measures how sensitive your entire portfolio is to market movements. A portfolio beta of 1.2 means when the market drops 10%, your portfolio is expected to drop 12%. Understanding this number is essential for risk management and return expectations.

The calculation is straightforward: multiply each asset's weight by its beta, then sum. But the insights go much deeper. This calculator shows each asset's contribution to total portfolio risk, estimates CAPM expected returns, and runs market scenario analysis from −30% to +30% moves so you can visualize your portfolio's behavior in different market environments.

By examining the beta contribution bars, you can immediately see which holdings drive the most portfolio risk. A 5% allocation to a β = 2.5 stock contributes more systematic risk than a 30% allocation to bonds at β = 0.05. This visibility helps you make targeted rebalancing decisions to hit your desired portfolio risk profile.

Why Use This Portfolio Beta Calculator?

Use this when you want to see how much of your portfolio moves with the market. It helps you spot the holdings that dominate systematic risk and tune allocations toward a beta that matches your risk target.

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Enter your holdings as Ticker:Weight:Beta, one per line.
  2. Weights are automatically normalized to 100% if they don't sum exactly.
  3. Set the expected market return and risk-free rate for CAPM calculations.
  4. Review portfolio beta and risk classification.
  5. Check the beta contribution chart to identify your biggest risk contributors.
  6. Use the scenario table to see portfolio impact across market conditions.

Formula

Portfolio Beta = Σ(w_i × β_i) Expected Return = Rf + β_portfolio × (Rm − Rf) Beta Contribution = w_i × β_i Portfolio Move ≈ Market Move × Portfolio Beta

Example Calculation

Result: Portfolio Beta: 0.78, CAPM Return: 8.8%

The 25% in bonds and gold brings the weighted beta down to 0.78 — a moderately defensive portfolio. With a 10% market return and 4.5% risk-free rate, CAPM predicts 8.8% expected return.

Tips & Best Practices

Portfolio Reading

Beta is a market-sensitivity measure, not a full risk score. A low-beta portfolio can still be concentrated in one sector, and a high-beta portfolio can be diversified across many names.

Practical Use

Review the largest beta contributors first, then decide whether to rebalance, hedge, or simply accept the risk because it fits your objective.

Sources & Methodology

Last updated:

Methodology

This calculator computes weighted portfolio beta by multiplying each holding's weight by its beta and summing the results. It can also estimate a CAPM-style expected return from the portfolio beta and the user-entered market assumptions.

The scenario view is a sensitivity worksheet, not a prediction engine. It shows how the portfolio would behave if the chosen market input moved by a given amount.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a portfolio beta of 1.0 mean?

Your portfolio has the same systematic risk as the market. It should move roughly in line with major indexes like the S&P 500.

Can portfolio beta be negative?

Yes, if you hold enough inverse ETFs or assets with negative beta (like put options). A negative beta portfolio profits when the market falls.

Is lower beta always better?

No — lower beta means lower expected return. The goal is the RIGHT beta for your risk tolerance and time horizon, not the lowest possible.

How accurate is beta for predicting portfolio moves?

Beta captures systematic (market) risk only. Unsystematic risk from individual stocks can cause your actual moves to differ significantly from beta predictions.

Where do I find individual stock betas?

Yahoo Finance, Google Finance, Bloomberg, or your broker's research tools. Betas are typically calculated from 2-5 years of monthly returns vs. a benchmark.

Should I rebalance to maintain a target beta?

Yes — as stock prices change, weights drift and portfolio beta changes. Rebalance quarterly or when beta deviates 0.1+ from your target.

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