What does "time horizon" refer to in investing?

Time horizon in investing is defined as the length of time an investor expects to hold an investment before selling it. This concept is crucial as it influences investment strategy and choice. A longer time horizon typically allows for a greater tolerance for risk since investors have time to recover from potential market fluctuations. Conversely, a shorter time horizon may lead an investor to seek more stable and less volatile investments to protect their capital.

Understanding time horizon is essential for investors in order to align their investment strategy with their financial goals and needs. For instance, someone saving for retirement in 30 years can afford to invest in higher-risk assets compared to someone who needs to access their funds in a few years for a major purchase.

The other options, while related to investment considerations, do not accurately describe what time horizon means in this context. The total amount invested over time doesn't capture the aspect of duration until sale; the duration of a bear market focuses on market conditions rather than individual investment plans; and the age of the investor is an additional factor but does not define the time horizon itself.