Losses typically make investors nervous about the future, with many assuming that 2023 will merely be a continuation of the trend markets experienced the previous year; but what does the data say about negative annual returns on equities over the long history of stock markets?

With the vast leaps and improvement in technology, we are now able to receive frequent updates of price movements of the investments we buy. This frequent refresh can be both a blessing and a curse — especially when it triggers our behavioural biases.

Ronald Read died at age 92 with assets over US$8M. Having worked as a gas station attendant for over 20 years and later swept floors at a department store, many were shocked at his accumulated wealth. There is no other industry in the world besides investing where an inexperienced person is able to get a leg up on the best and brightest. Why is this so?

Large market losses may cause investors to fear that the whole year will end at a loss. But what does the evidence say?

Our brain’s threat centre always gives priority to bad news. Why is this so? And how does this relate to risk aversion in investing?