What does purchasing power risk primarily apply to?

Purchasing power risk primarily applies to bonds because this type of investment involves fixed interest payments over a specified term. When inflation rises, the real value of those fixed payments declines, meaning that the purchasing power of the returns investors receive diminishes over time. For bondholders, this risk is significant because they might receive a set interest rate that does not keep pace with inflation, effectively reducing the wealth they can maintain through their investment.

In contrast, other investment types like real estate or stocks can provide growth potential that may outpace inflation, thereby mitigating purchasing power risk. Mutual funds, which can include a variety of assets, also have varying degrees of exposure to inflation depending on their composition. Therefore, the unique characteristics of bonds and their fixed nature make them particularly susceptible to purchasing power risk.