The statement, “Invest based on recent performance” is a financial fallacy due to a concept known as “recency bias.” This means investors often make decisions based on the most recent information or events, which can negatively impact long-term investment strategies. Investing based on recent performance assumes that an investment that performed well recently will continue to do well in the future. This is akin to the gambler’s fallacy; in reality, investment markets are not predictable in the short term and past performance is not a consistent indicator of future outcomes.
There’s comfort in patterns, and humans are pattern-seeking creatures. We see a stock or fund doing well over the recent months or years, and we assume the trend will continue. It feels like a safe bet and often, it simply seems like logical reasoning to us.
An effective financial strategy leans towards a long-term diversified investment strategy. Instead of making decisions based solely on an asset’s recent performance, your investing decisions should be based on your financial goals, risk tolerance, and investment timeline. It’s important to diversify your investments to avoid potential risks associated with investing heavily in a single asset.
Further Readings:
-
“A Random Walk Down Wall Street” by Burton G. Malkiel. Book Link. This book has long been established as a must-read for anyone trying to understand investing.
-
“Common Sense on Mutual Funds” by John C. Bogle. Book Link. It provides insights on long-term investment strategies and the fallacy of basing investments on recent performance.
-
“The Psychology of Investing” by John R. Nofsinger. Book Link. It details the various behavioral biases investors suffer from, including recency bias.
-
“The Little Book of Behavioral Investing: How not to be your own worst enemy” by James Montier. Book Link. This book reveals the most common psychological barriers experienced by investors.
-
“Recency bias” - Wikipedia.