Modern portfolio theory (MPT) provides a framework for constructing investment portfolios to maximize expected return based on a given level of market risk. MPT assumes investors aim to maximize returns for a given level of risk. It uses variance as a measure of risk and covariance to capture how asset returns move together. The efficient frontier graph shows the set of optimal portfolios that offer the highest expected return for a given level of risk. Individual investors select the portfolio on the efficient frontier that maximizes their utility based on their risk tolerance. MPT emphasizes diversification and the benefits of holding inefficiently priced assets.