What investor outcome is most frequently associated with successful capital preservation?

The outcome that is most frequently associated with successful capital preservation is consistent and stable returns over time. When an investor focuses on capital preservation, the goal is to protect the initial investment from significant losses while aiming for modest growth. Achieving consistent and stable returns means minimizing volatility and fluctuations, which is essential in preserving capital over the long term. This approach allows investors to maintain their investment's value and potentially generate small, reliable profits without exposing themselves to the risks of drastic market swings.

In contrast, substantial fluctuations in returns indicate a higher level of risk and volatility, which does not align with the principles of capital preservation. Complete avoidance of investment risk is unrealistic, as all investments carry some level of risk; hence, this option does not reflect a practical outcome. High fees associated with fund management can erode investment returns and are not indicative of capital preservation success, as they can diminish the overall gains that an investor could retain. Thus, consistent and stable returns stand out as the key indicator of effective capital preservation.