What does risk premium indicate in financial investments?

The risk premium signifies the additional return that investors anticipate earning by assuming greater risks beyond those associated with a risk-free investment. It reflects the compensation that investors seek for taking on uncertainties related to the investment. For instance, while a risk-free asset, like a Treasury bond, offers a guaranteed return, investing in stocks or other higher-risk assets exposes investors to greater price volatility and potential loss. The risk premium serves as an incentive for investors to engage in these riskier ventures, as they anticipate that the potential for higher returns balances out the risks involved.

The correct choice highlights this fundamental concept in finance, emphasizing the relationship between risk and return. Other options, while related to returns and investments, do not capture this specific premise that the risk premium is about the additional expected return above the baseline of risk-free investments.