Common trader mistakes when investing and trading
Here are some of the most common investment mistakes, from emotional investment decisions to too much commission:
| 20 main mistakes | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Expecting too much | Having reasonable return expectations helps investors maintain a long-term perspective without reacting emotionally. |
| 2. Lack of investment goals | Often investors focus on short-term profits or the latest investment fad instead of their long-term investment goals. |
| 3. Lack of diversification | Diversification prevents one stock from having a significant impact on the value of your portfolio. |
| 4. Focus on the short term | It's easy to focus on the short term, but this can cause investors to reconsider their original strategy and make careless decisions. |
| 5. Buy high and sell low | Investor behavior during market fluctuations often hurts overall performance. |
| 6. Too much trading | One study shows that the most active traders underperformed the US stock market by an average of 6.5% per year. Source: Financial Journal. |
| 7. Fees are too high | Fees can have a significant impact on your overall investment performance, especially over the long term. |
| 8. Focusing too much on taxes | Although tax loss harvesting can improve profits, making a decision based solely on tax consequences is not always warranted. |
| 9. Irregular investment analysis | Review your portfolio quarterly or annually to ensure you are on track or if your portfolio needs rebalancing. |
| 10. Misunderstanding of risk | Taking too much risk can take you out of your comfort zone, but taking too little risk can result in lower returns and failure to achieve your financial goals. Find the right balance for your personal situation. |
| 11. Not knowing your performance | Often investors don't really know the performance of their investments. Review your earnings to track whether you're meeting your investment goals after taking into account fees and inflation. |
| 12. Reaction to the media | Negative news in the short term can cause fear, but remember to focus on the long term. |
| 13. Forget about inflation | Historically, inflation has averaged 4% per year. Cost of $100 at 4% annual inflation After 1 year: $96. After 20 years: $44.00. |
| 14. Trying to time the market | Timing the market is extremely difficult. Staying in the market can yield much higher returns than trying to time the market perfectly. |
| 15. Failure to conduct due diligence | Check your advisor's credentials on sites like BrokerCheck, which shows their work history and complaints. |
| 16. Working with the wrong advisor | Taking the time to find the right consultant is worth it. Review your advisor carefully to ensure your goals are aligned. |
| 17. Investing with emotions | While it may be difficult, remember to remain rational during market fluctuations. |
| 18. In pursuit of profitability | High-yield investments often carry the highest risk. Carefully evaluate your risk profile before investing in these types of assets. |
| 19. Neglecting the beginning | Let's say two people invest $200 per month, assuming a 7% annual return until age 65. If one person started at age 25, their ending portfolio would be $520K, and if another started at age 35, their total would be around $245K. |
| 20. Don't control what you can | While no one can predict the market, investors can control small investments over time that can lead to significant results. |
For example, poor diversification can expose you to higher risk. Holding one concentrated position can significantly impact the value of your portfolio as prices fluctuate.
It's worth noting that one trade size does not fit all, and seeking financial advice can help you find the right balance depending on your financial goals.
Another common mistake is trading too much. Since each trade may incur a commission, this can affect the overall performance of your portfolio. A separate study found that the most active traders had the worst returns, underperforming the U.S. stock market by an average of 6.5% per year.
Finally, it is important to regularly monitor your investments closely as market conditions change, taking into account fees and inflation. This will allow you to know whether your investments are on track or if you need to adjust them based on changing personal circumstances or other factors.
Control what you can
To avoid these common investing mistakes, investors must remember to remain rational and focus on their long-term goals. Creating a strong portfolio often involves evaluating the following factors:
- Financial goals
- Current income
- Costly habits
- Market environment
- Expected profit
By keeping these factors in mind, investors can stop focusing on short-term market fluctuations and control what they can. Small investments over the long term can have a powerful effect, allowing you to accumulate significant wealth simply by investing consistently over time.
