What is a key feature of tail risk strategies?

Tail risk strategies are designed to manage extreme or unexpected market events that can lead to substantial losses. A key feature of these strategies is their focus on providing protection from large losses, which is especially important in times of market stress or when there are significant downturns. By preparing for and mitigating the impact of these extreme events, investors aim to safeguard their portfolios against the potential for catastrophic declines.

This protection can often be achieved through various methods, including the use of derivatives, alternative investments, or specific trading strategies that target risk in the tails of the distribution of returns. While purchasing put options is one way to hedge against downside risk, it's not the defining characteristic of a tail risk strategy, as there are many other techniques that also provide this protection.

The requirement of high capital investment and the restriction to traditional assets do not characterize tail risk strategies either, as these strategies can often be implemented in a variety of ways and may vary widely in terms of capital requirements and the types of assets involved. Thus, the emphasis on safeguarding against significant losses directly aligns with the core intent of tail risk strategies.