In investing, what does "leverage" mean?

Leverage in investing refers to the practice of using borrowed funds to amplify the potential returns of an investment. When investors use leverage, they are essentially using debt to increase their investment capital, allowing them to purchase more assets than they could with just their own funds. This can magnify both gains and losses; if the investment performs well, the returns can be significantly higher due to the larger amount of capital employed. Conversely, if the investment performs poorly, losses can also be magnified.

In contrast, the other options describe different aspects of investing that do not reflect the concept of leverage. Solely using personal savings describes a conservative approach without debt. Focusing on low-risk investments pertains to risk management strategies, and buying securities without financial analysis does not relate to leverage but indicates a lack of due diligence in making investment decisions.