Financial experts Justin Waring and Katie Williams along with Mark Halloran discuss action bias in investing, emphasizing the importance of strategic decision-making and diversification. They explore the impact of guarantees on portfolios, the role of financial advisors in navigating action bias, and the benefits of seeking guidance for rational financial decisions.
Adjust investment strategies based on personal goals, not market conditions.
Combat action bias with control, stress-testing portfolios, and long-term investment strategies.
Deep dives
Understanding Action Bias in Decision Making
Action bias refers to the intuitive urge to act in response to new information, even when rational thought suggests inaction may be better. This bias often leads to suboptimal outcomes, especially in the investment world where it could result in underperformance. For example, during market crises, the impulse to act based on fear of losses often leads to detrimental decisions, as shown by investor behavior during past crisis periods.
Identifying When to Adjust Investment Approaches
Adjusting investment strategies should primarily align with changes in personal goals rather than reacting to market conditions. Having a well-structured, goal-based plan ensures that any strategy adjustments are driven by shifts in objectives. A diversified portfolio resilient to market shocks, along with a focus on long-term goals, can help investors weather market turbulence without succumbing to impulsive decision-making.
Implementing Strategies to Counteract Action Bias
Combatting action bias requires a focus on control and understanding market volatility as inevitable. Stress-testing portfolios with the help of financial advisors and building liquidity reserves for sustained income during market disruptions can mitigate impulsive reactions. Utilizing vehicles like annuities for guaranteed cash flows and incorporating long-term investment strategies reduce the likelihood of succumbing to action bias and enhance overall portfolio resilience.
We explore the behavior of action bias, including a look at when it might and might not makes sense for one to adjust their investment approach, along with strategies to consider that can protect against the behavior of action bias. Featured are Justin Waring, Senior Total Wealth Strategist, and Katie Williams, Discovery Strategist, from the UBS Chief Investment Office, along with Mark Halloran, Head of Business Development for Individual Markets with Transamerica. Host: Daniel Cassidy
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode