underweight

American  

[uhn-der-weyt, uhn-der-weyt] / ˈʌn dərˈweɪt, ˈʌn dərˌweɪt /

adjective

1. weighing less than is usual, required, or proper.

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noun

1. deficiency in weight below a standard or requirement.

underweight British  

/ ˌʌndəˈweɪt /

adjective

1. weighing less than is average, expected, or healthy

2. finance

   1. having a lower proportion of one's investments in a particular sector of the market than the size of that sector relative to the total market would suggest

   2. (of a fund etc) disproportionately invested in this way

      pension funds have become underweight of equities

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Etymology

Origin of underweight

First recorded in 1590–1600; under- + weight

Example Sentences

According to the survey, 40% of respondents are underweight bonds and there’s a consensus that longer-term U.S.

From MarketWatch

According to the survey, 40% of respondents are underweight bonds and there’s a consensus that longer-term U.S.

From MarketWatch

Investor expectations, combined with limited scope for a positive surprise on margins, costs and capital management, keep MS analyst Richard E. Wiles underweight on the stock.

From The Wall Street Journal

Energy’s unique trading patterns are one reason why he tells diversified investors to never be underweight energy stocks.

From Barron's

“Years of narrow, large cap leadership have forced active investors into mega caps, leaving the average stock out in the cold — it’s 20% underweight, and owned by a paltry 10% of funds on average.”

From Barron's

Related Words

• malnourished
• starved
• undernourished