Why do most of the retail traders (~90%) lose money? And how they can be more successful? (2024)

Retail traders are individuals who trade stocks, currencies, commodities, or other financial instruments for their accounts rather than for an institution or a professional firm. Retail trading has become more and more widespread in recent years, thanks to the availability of online platforms (such as Robinhood), low-cost brokers, social trading platforms, and, of course, social media. However, retail trading is also hazardous and challenging, and most retail traders end up losing money. According to various studies and reports, between 70% to 90% of retail traders lose money every quarter. This article will discuss the main reasons retail traders lose money and how they can enhance their performance and profitability.

Firstly, it has been observed that retail traders often need help in making a profit due to the absence of a well-defined and consistent trading plan. A trading plan essentially outlines the rules and principles that steer the trader’s decisions regarding which assets to trade, when to do so, what amount to invest, and how to manage risks and exit positions. A trading plan helps the trader to avoid emotional and impulsive trading, which can lead to overtrading, chasing losses, or holding onto losing positions too long. A trading plan also helps the trader identify and exploit market opportunities based on their analysis, strategy, and edge. 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. This means they risk more than they stand to gain on each trade, or their potential losses are more significant than their potential profits. An asymmetrical risk-reward ratio allows the trader to be profitable even if they are wrong more often than they are right. For this purpose, the investors should check the Sharpe or Sortino ratios. Those ratios represent the potential earnings in relation to the standard deviation of the stocks. An additional tip would be „checking out for the maximum drawdown“; as an example, ourAP Long-Short strategyhas a maximum drawdown of -17.10%, suggesting a rather safe investment opportunity compared to, let’s say, S&P500, which has -47.51%.

If you made up your mind for it, there are also tools suitable for maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or maximizing Sharpe. Our Portfolio Manager tool would be a great example and useful tool for people who knows what they want.

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How can retail traders be more successful?

While there are no guarantees when it comes to making money through trading, retail traders can improve their chances of success by following the proper steps. Though it may not be an easy process, with the right strategy, achieving success is certainly possible. First, they need to develop and follow a trading plan that suits their personality, goals, style, and edge. A trading plan should include the following elements:

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  • A market analysis (fundamental, technical, or quantitative)
  • A trading strategy (entry and exit signals)
  • A risk management system (limits, stop-losses, take-profits, etc.)
  • A proper performance evaluation

Second, they need to adopt an asymmetrical risk-reward ratio that allows them to be profitable even if they have a low win rate. Third, they need to be disciplined and patient in executing their trading plan. Fourth, they should not let their emotions or external influences affect their decisions. Fifth, they should also avoid overtrading or undertrading. Finally, they need to learn from their mistakes and successes, and they should constantly seek to improve their skills and knowledge.

And as an alternative, there is always an option to ask for financial advice or invest in pre-existing actively managed funds.

In conclusion, retail trading is challenging and risky, requiring much preparation, discipline, and skill. Most retail traders lose money because they do not have a clear and consistent trading plan and a proper risk-reward ratio. To be more successful, retail traders need to develop and follow a trading plan that matches their edge and style, adopt an asymmetrical risk-reward ratio that allows them to be profitable even with a low win rate, be disciplined and patient in executing their trading plan, and learn from their experience and feedback.

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Why do most of the retail traders (~90%) lose money? And how they can be more successful? (2024)

FAQs

Why do most of the retail traders (~90%) lose money? And how they can be more successful? ›

Another reason why retail traders lose money is that they do not have an asymmetrical risk-reward ratio. This means they risk more than they stand to gain on each trade, or their potential losses are more significant than their potential profits.

Why do 90% of traders lose money? ›

One of the biggest reasons traders lose money is a lack of knowledge and education. Many people are drawn to trading because they believe it's a way to make quick money without investing much time or effort. However, this is a dangerous misconception that often leads to losses.

Why do retail traders always lose? ›

Lack of Effective Risk Management

In-Depth Insight: Inadequate risk management is a critical factor in retail trader losses. It involves setting stop-loss orders, determining position sizes, and managing overall portfolio risk.

Why most retail investors lose money in the stock market? ›

So, what causes retail investors to lose money? Let's take a look at the mistakes that cost retail investors a lot of money. Lack of knowledge and understanding of the market: Retail investors often lack the knowledge and understanding of the stock market, leading to poor investment decisions.

Why do people lose so much in trading? ›

Fear of missing out (FOMO), fear of losing, a lack of patience, and greed are common causes of rash decisions and costly blunders. Ineffective Risk Management: Failure to manage risk properly, such as putting too much money at risk in a single trade, is a common cause of failure.

Why 95% of traders lose? ›

Overtrading To Cover Losses

In an attempt to recover losses quickly, traders often place more orders than usual or trade with higher volumes. This behaviour increases the risk and can lead to a vicious cycle of losses as it often involves making impulsive and poorly thought-out trades.

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 most day traders lose money? ›

Another reason why day traders tend to lose money is that it's very different from long-term investing. While traders take advantage of price swings (which means they have to make specific predictions), investors tend to buy a diversified basket of assets for the long haul.

Why do most stock traders fail? ›

Not having and not following a trading plan is a big reason most traders fail. People without a plan are making an assumption that they are smarter than people who do this for a living, and therefore they don't need to prepare, plan, or practice. Wrong.

Why do traders lose how traders win? ›

The majority of traders lose money in trading for several reasons, and trading can be challenging and high-risk. Here are some common factors that contribute to traders losing money: 1. **Lack of Education:** Many traders enter the markets without a solid understanding of how trading works.

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.

Do retail traders actually make money? ›

Most traders are not profitable. Can Retail Traders Actually Make Money? Retail traders can make money if they discipline themselves to learn a specific trading style and use risk management techniques. It isn't easy to make money consistently as a trader, but it's possible.

Is the stock market rigged against retail traders? ›

Technically, the answer is of course, no, the stock market is not rigged but there are some real disadvantages that you will need to overcome to be successful small investors.

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

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.

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.

Does trading get boring? ›

Sometimes you realize that you fell into a rut and your trading got boring. You've lost that passion and drive, you're not excited like at the very beginning when you were making your first steps in trading. It all just got dull. But you really need an adventure!

Why are most traders not profitable? ›

Not having and not following a trading plan is a big reason most traders fail. People without a plan are making an assumption that they are smarter than people who do this for a living, and therefore they don't need to prepare, plan, or practice.

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