Shocking But True: 90% of People Lose Money in Stocks (2024)

Shocking But True: 90% of People Lose Money in Stocks (2)

It’s a shocking statistic — approximately 90% of retail investors lose money in the stock market over the long run. With the rise of commission-free trading apps like Robinhood, more people than ever are trying their hand at stock picking. Unfortunately, the vast majority are learning the hard way that investing is harder than it looks.

In this article, we’ll uncover the sobering data on retail investor performance. We’ll analyze the main reasons most stock pickers fail to generate consistent profits. And we’ll share research-backed tips on how you can beat the odds and join the elite group of successful investors.

Here’s a preview of what you’ll learn:

  • Staggering data reveals 90% of retail investors underperform the broader market
  • Lack of patience and undisciplined trading behaviors cause most losses
  • Insufficient market knowledge and overconfidence lead to costly mistakes
  • Tips from famous investors on how to achieve long-term success

Read on to get the full story! This in-depth guide will illuminate why investing trips up most amateurs. And you’ll learn how to avoid critical errors that drain portfolio returns.

Numerous studies demonstrate that retail investors as a group significantly underperform the market over multi-year periods. For example, a 2012 study by Barclays Bank found that over a five-year period, the average retail investor earned annual returns of just 2.3%, compared to 7.3% for the S&P 500 index.

A Vanguard report came to a similar conclusion. Looking at data from 2001 to 2016, Vanguard determined that the average retail investor gained a yearly return of just 4.3%. The S&P 500 returned 7.7% per year over the same period.

A frequently cited report by market research firm Dalbar calculated that from 1995 to 2015, the average equity mutual fund investor earned just 5.2% annually versus 9.9% for the S&P 500. After adjusting for inflation, most investors actually…

Shocking But True: 90% of People Lose Money in Stocks (2024)

FAQs

Shocking But True: 90% of People Lose Money in Stocks? ›

It's a shocking statistic — approximately 90% of retail investors lose money in the stock market over the long run. With the rise of commission-free trading apps like Robinhood, more people than ever are trying their hand at stock picking.

Why do 90% of people lose money in the stock market? ›

Having little or no patience

This bias often causees us jump to conclusions, make impulse decisions, and constantly change our strategy. Ultimately, many people lose money in the stock market because they simply can't wait long enough for meaningful profits to arrive.

Why do 90% of day traders fail? ›

Without a trading plan, retail traders are more likely to trade randomly, inconsistently, and irrationally. Another reason why retail traders lose money is that they do not have an asymmetrical risk-reward ratio.

Why do 80% of traders lose money? ›

Lack of trading discipline

This is the primary reason for intraday trading losses in the intraday trading app. Trading discipline has to focus on three things. Firstly, there must be a trading book to guide your daily trading. Secondly, you must always trade with a stop loss only.

Why do 95 of traders lose money? ›

The emotional aspect of trading often leads to irrational decisions like panic selling. When the market moves unfavourably, many traders, especially those who are inexperienced, tend to panic and exit their positions hastily. This panic selling often occurs at the worst possible time, leading to significant losses.

Who keeps the money you lose in the stock market? ›

No one, including the company that issued the stock, pockets the money from your declining stock price. The money reflected by changes in stock prices isn't tallied and given to some investor. The changes in price are simply an independent by-product of supply and demand and corresponding investor transactions.

What happened to most people's money when the stock market crashed? ›

Simply put, the stock market crash of 1929 caused the Great Depression because everyone lost money. Investors and businesses both put significant amounts of money into the market, and when it crashed, tremendous amounts of money were lost. Businesses closed and people lost their savings.

Has anyone ever gotten rich from day trading? ›

Can you make money day trading? Most of the time, day trading is not profitable, but it can be profitable. Investors sometimes succeed at predicting a stock's movements and raking in six-figure profits by accurately timing the market.

Do 97% of day traders lose money? ›

Day trading has long been touted as a way for people to make a quick buck, with the allure of being your own boss and setting your own schedule. However, the harsh reality is that the vast majority of day traders lose money. In fact, studies have shown that a staggering 97% of day traders end up in the red.

Do day traders actually make money? ›

The same study found that the majority of trades, up to 80%, are unprofitable. While some day traders end up successful and make a lot of money, they are the exception rather than the norm. If you want to try day trading, start small and do not commit your entire investment account.

What is the 90% rule in trading? ›

It is a high-stakes game where many are lured by the promise of quick riches but ultimately face harsh realities. One of the harsh realities of trading is the “Rule of 90,” which suggests that 90% of new traders lose 90% of their starting capital within 90 days of their first trade.

How much money do day traders with $10,000 accounts make per day on average? ›

With a $10,000 account, a good day might bring in a five percent gain, which is $500. However, day traders also need to consider fixed costs such as commissions charged by brokers. These commissions can eat into profits, and day traders need to earn enough to overcome these fees [2].

How many traders go broke? ›

Success rates among average traders are even lower, with some estimates suggesting the number of people that lose money is as high as 95%.

How much does the average day trader lose? ›

According to a study by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission of forex traders, 70% of traders lose money every quarter, and traders typically lose 100% of their money within 12 months.

Do successful traders lose money? ›

As much as 95 per cent of day traders lose money in the market, it demands an investigation. Intraday trading is the most popular, yet data suggests that most intraday traders lose money.

How much does the average trader lose? ›

Average Trade Loss refers to the average amount of money lost on each trade executed within a specific trading strategy or portfolio over a defined period. It is a crucial metric used in the field of finance and investment to evaluate the effectiveness of a trading approach and assess risk management practices.

Do 90% of investors lose money? ›

Here's a preview of what you'll learn:

Staggering data reveals 90% of retail investors underperform the broader market. Lack of patience and undisciplined trading behaviors cause most losses. Insufficient market knowledge and overconfidence lead to costly mistakes.

Why do people lose money in stock market? ›

LACK OF PROPER RESEARCH ABOUT THE COMPANY:

They easily follow the tips they get from their neighbor, friends or from any financial expert, etc. And on the basis of their tips they just blindly invest in that particular stock without doing any research and at last they end up making a huge loss.

Why do so many people fail in the stock market? ›

If an investor does not work in a disciplined approach with patience and a proper strategy, it often results in failure. Investors should follow a disciplined approach by properly analyzing various factors before investing, utilizing a stock market app for assistance.

Why most of the people fail in stock market? ›

Lack of Knowledge: Many people jump into the stock market without understanding the basics of how it works. They do not have a clear understanding of the terminology, the risks involved, and the market dynamics. This lack of knowledge can lead to poor decision-making and ultimately losses.

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