Then the two indexes can be analyzed to discover different risk-and-return characteristics.

FORBES: How To Harness The Power Of Passive Investing

If your portfolio already contains options such as calls and puts which have non-linear return characteristics, the calculations will also be thrown off.

FORBES: Six Simple Steps to Protecting Your Portfolio With Put Options

Most of the investments in the program are index funds, each of which is invested in order to replicate the risk and return characteristics of a particular market.

FORBES: Educating a Nation of Financial Illiterates

Starting in 2013, long-term capital gains can conceivably be taxed at 0%, 15%, 18.8%, 20%, 23.8%, 25% and 28% rates depending on various characteristics of your tax return and the nature of your gain.

FORBES: In State Of The Union Address, President Obama Calls For Tax Reform

They soon focused on a much smaller bank, also well-run and having similar financial characteristics in such areas as return on equity, interest margin, loan quality, etc.

FORBES: A Lesson From Warren Buffett

Great Idea Corp. is a company that may provide a return for investors but may have some characteristics that make it more difficult than usual to evaluate.

FORBES: Should You Write A Blank Check For A Great Idea?

Additionally, stocks are priced so that the expected return of any stock is identical to all others of its size and growth characteristics.

FORBES: Why I Don't Care What Apple Is Worth