What does credit scoring assess?

Credit scoring primarily assesses the creditworthiness of an individual by analyzing information contained within their credit files. This includes various factors such as payment history, amounts owed, length of credit history, types of credit used, and new credit inquiries. These components come together to produce a credit score, which lenders use to evaluate the risk of lending money or extending credit to that individual. A higher credit score indicates a lower risk, which can result in better loan terms, lower interest rates, and higher chances of credit approval.

The other options presented do not accurately reflect the purpose of credit scoring. For instance, focusing on monthly payment obligations, while relevant to financial health, does not encompass the broader evaluation of creditworthiness that credit scoring entails. Similarly, total income from collateralized loans and the profitability of a borrower's investment strategy are not part of credit scoring; they may influence lending decisions but are not what credit scores measure. Thus, option C encapsulates the true essence of credit scoring by highlighting its role in assessing an individual's creditworthiness.