Which type of investment involves higher risk and potential for higher returns?

Investing in stocks is associated with higher risk and the potential for higher returns compared to the other investment options listed. Stocks represent ownership in a company, and their prices can be highly volatile due to market fluctuations, economic conditions, and company performance. This volatility means that while stocks can generate significant returns in the long term, they also carry the risk of substantial losses over shorter periods.

In contrast, government bonds are generally considered low-risk investments that provide steady, albeit lower, returns. They are backed by the government and are less susceptible to market volatility.

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) can also provide solid returns and involve moderate risk, but they are typically less risky than individual stocks because they usually involve a portfolio of properties rather than the performance of a single company.

Money market accounts are the least risky among the options provided. They offer liquidity and preservation of capital but yield very low returns that do not typically compensate for the risk associated with inflation.

Thus, stocks stand out for their higher potential returns aligned with the acceptance of higher risk.