What metric indicates variability around the mean in Market Index data?

• A. Growth Characteristics
• B. Mean Rate
• C. Standard Deviation
• D. Rate of Return

Answer: (C)

Variability around the mean is described by dispersion, and the standard deviation is the go-to measure for market data because it directly shows how much index values tend to drift from the average. A smaller standard deviation means prices cluster near the mean, while a larger one indicates wider swings and higher volatility, which is essential for assessing risk. This makes standard deviation the best metric for understanding how data spread around the mean in Market Index data. Other terms describe different ideas: growth characteristics relate to how values change over time, the mean rate is just the central tendency, and rate of return focuses on profitability rather than how widely values vary.