What is the primary role of a portfolio manager?

The primary role of a portfolio manager is to make investment decisions using money that has been entrusted to them by their clients or investors. This entails analyzing various investment options, managing the asset allocation within a portfolio, and ensuring that individual investment choices align with the overall strategy and risk tolerance of the clients they represent. The portfolio manager's responsibilities include conducting research, analyzing financial data, and monitoring performance to achieve the best possible returns on investments while adhering to the clients' financial goals.

In contrast, the other options do not capture the full scope of a portfolio manager's role. While selling securities may be a part of a financial professional's duties, focusing solely on personal gain does not reflect the fiduciary responsibility that a portfolio manager has to their clients. Analyzing market trends for predictions is an important task, but it is typically a component of the broader decision-making process rather than the primary function of managing a portfolio. Lastly, traders may work specifically for financial institutions and execute trades, but they do not generally encompass the comprehensive investment management and strategic oversight that a portfolio manager provides.