What is the primary purpose of hedging in investment practices?

The primary purpose of hedging in investment practices is to minimize volatility of investment. Hedging involves employing various financial strategies and instruments to offset potential losses in an investment. By creating a position that is negatively correlated to the original investment, an investor can protect themselves against adverse price movements. This risk management technique provides a way for investors to stabilize their returns despite fluctuations in the market.

While maximizing investment returns, increasing market exposure, or generating passive income might be goals for some investors, these concepts do not capture the essence of hedging. Hedging is fundamentally about protecting investments and reducing risk rather than focusing solely on returns or income generation.