METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INTERACTING WITH INVESTORS TO CREATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIOS

A simple graphical user interface enables a user to understand how the user's level of risk affects both the amount of money the user can earn over a selected period and the likelihood that the user will make that amount. A graph plots return (in dollars) versus time, which may be user selectable. The user may select his preferred level of risk on a risk control panel, such as a digital risk thermometer. As the user selects various risk tolerances, the user may see the differences in how the investment may potentially grow (or potentially shrink) over the time period. When the user is comfortable with the results being displayed on the risk graph, the user may indicate to the system that the user is satisfied with the current level of the risk. This selected value of risk may be used by a portfolio manager in creating and managing the user's portfolio.