Learning from behavioural finance

Expected returns versus actual returns Portfolios are built on what are believed to be carefully thought out and well-researched ideas. However, investment performance often falls short of expectation and investors are disappointed with the actual returns achieved. Is this because we invest too little too late? Have we become too attached to individual stocks? Are our portfolios not diversified enough? This gap between expectation and reality is not limited to a few individuals who may perhaps be inexperienced or fall prey to faulty information but is often widespread. This is demonstrated by the formation of ‘bubbles’ in the market – most famously in recent times in the technology sector on the back of the rise of the dot com. Investors both amateur and professional were affected by the subsequent drop – no-one is immune from less than objective decision-making.