Tools & models to combat behavioural bias, ft. Betashares' Matthew Fish
Nov 25, 2024
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Matthew Fish, Head of Product at Betashares and co-founder of FirstStep Investing, dives into the intersection of behavioral finance and technology. He explores how understanding our investment behaviors can lead to better outcomes. Matthew shares his personal journey with Telstra shares and highlights common biases like overconfidence. He emphasizes the power of ETFs in fostering long-term investment strategies, and his top tip for listeners underscores the significance of disciplined, consistent investing for financial success.
Understanding and addressing behavioral biases can lead to more rational investment decisions and better long-term financial outcomes.
Utilizing ETFs promotes diversification, reduces emotional reactions, and encourages a consistent investment strategy for wealth growth.
Deep dives
The Importance of Staying Invested and Diversification
Staying invested can be challenging, yet it is essential for wealth growth. A diversified portfolio, primarily utilizing low-cost, broad-based ETFs, serves as a foundation for long-term wealth. For instance, reputable ETFs like AAA, A200, and NDQ provide a range of investment opportunities from high-interest cash management to specific market indexes. This approach not only cushions against market volatility but also supports a consistent investment strategy that contributes to financial stability.
Behavioral Biases and Their Impact on Investment Decisions
Understanding behavioral biases is crucial for making sound financial decisions. Emotional elements significantly influence money management, often leading investors to act irrationally during market fluctuations. The podcast highlights several biases, including anchoring and overconfidence, which can prompt investors to hold onto losing stocks or make hasty assessments based on past success. Recognizing these biases facilitates better investment practices by promoting a focus on long-term strategies and disciplined decision-making.
The Evolution of ETFs and Investment Mindset
The rise of ETFs has transformed this landscape by shifting investor focus from individual stock picking to a more diversified, long-term investing mindset. With broad-based ETFs, investors are less likely to panic during negative news about a single company, as their portfolios are balanced across multiple assets. This shift in approach allows investors to navigate market corrections with greater confidence, often resulting in increased buying during price dips. Consequently, ETFs have not only democratized investing but also encouraged more strategic financial behaviors.
Strategies for Successful Long-term Investing
To combat emotional decision-making, it is essential to develop structured investment strategies. Dollar cost averaging, for instance, involves spreading investments over time to mitigate market volatility and reinforce good habits. Automating investments can remove the emotional aspect from trading, enabling investors to focus on broader financial goals rather than short-term fluctuations. Overall, fostering a long-term perspective and utilizing technology in investment practices can significantly enhance financial outcomes.
Matthew Fish, Head of Product at Betashares, joins Owen Rask on this Australian Finance Podcast episode to talk about the power of technology in combating behavioural bias.
Matthew Fish is the co-founder of FirstStepInvesting, an educational and fractional investing platform which was acquired by BetaShares and later became BetasharesDirect.
Matthew and Owen talk about:
The importance of understanding behaviour when investing
Matthew's story buying and holding Telstra shares
The role of technology in helping to manage biases
Common biases that impact and distort our investing strategy
How ETFs help investors stay focused on the long term
Matthew's #1 lesson for listeners
View the range of Betashares ETFs & learn more about Betashares Direct:
Website: https://www.betashares.com.au/
All funds page: https://www.betashares.com.au/fund/
DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser.