WestPac Wealth Investments

The Risk of Individual Stocks

Westpac Wealth Partners

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0:00 | 8:15

In a recent episode, Joe shared a story about “the worst decision a client ever made” — and the response was bigger than expected. But some listeners walked away with the wrong takeaway.

In this follow-up, Joe clears it up.

This episode breaks down the real difference between owning an individual stock and owning the broader market through an index like the S&P 500. What actually happens if a single company goes to zero? What would it mean if the entire market did? And why does that distinction matter when building a portfolio designed to last decades?

If you’ve ever held onto a stock because you “know the company,” believe it’s too big to fail, or feel confident it will always bounce back — this conversation is for you.

Joe explains risk in plain language, without hype, and reinforces the discipline behind diversification, long-term thinking, and avoiding unnecessary speculation.

This episode is about understanding what you truly own — and making decisions that align with long-term stewardship, not short-term emotion.