When considering investments, which attributes are most commonly examined related to risk?

The attributes of volatility and return expectations are fundamental in assessing risk for any investment. Volatility refers to the degree of variation of a trading price series over time, which is a key indicator of an asset's risk. High volatility typically suggests a greater potential for large swings in asset prices, meaning that the investment could yield higher returns but also comes with increased potential for loss.

Return expectations relate directly to the potential profitability of an investment. Investors must weigh the expected returns against the level of risk they are willing to accept. In finance, the relationship between risk and return is essential; generally, higher risk is associated with the potential for higher returns, while lower-risk investments tend to offer lower returns.

While liquidity and tax implications, market trends and economic indicators, and time horizon and asset allocation are also important considerations in the larger scope of investment analysis, they do not directly capture the inherent risk of the investment in the same manner as volatility and return expectations. Thus, the focus on volatility and return expectations makes option A the most relevant when evaluating risk in investments.