What is the main focus of risk parity strategies in portfolio management?

Risk parity strategies primarily seek to allocate risk rather than capital equally across various asset classes. This approach acknowledges that different asset classes have different levels of risk and volatility. By focusing on achieving equal risk contribution from each asset class within the portfolio, risk parity strategies aim to enhance diversification and stabilize returns across different market conditions. This results in a portfolio that is better equipped to handle fluctuations in the market, as risks are balanced rather than concentrated in a single area.

While options such as maximizing capital allocation or maximizing overall returns may be relevant in certain strategies, they do not capture the essence of risk parity. Minimizing overall portfolio volatility, although an important consideration in risk management, does not fully encompass the concept that is central to risk parity, which revolves around equalizing risk contributions from various components of the portfolio.