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.

Why do most of the retail traders (~90%) lose money? And how they can be more successful? (1)

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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:

  • 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? ›

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.

Why do so many retail traders lose money? ›

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 do 90% of traders lose? ›

Most traders fail because they do not invest enough time and effort in learning about the markets and trading strategies. They enter the market without a proper plan or strategy, which leads them to make poor decisions and lose money. Another reason why traders lose money is because of emotional decisions.

Why 90 people lose money in stock market? ›

One of the reasons for the loss in the stock market is that people do not decide the amount of their investment. This is also a big mistake. Because the investment amount is not fixed, they invest most of their money in the stock market. Due to which they do not have enough money even for emergency times.

Why do 95 of traders lose money? ›

The emotional aspect of trading often leads to irrational decisions like panic selling. When the market moves unfavourably, many traders, especially those who are inexperienced, tend to panic and exit their positions hastily. This panic selling often occurs at the worst possible time, leading to significant losses.

Why do 80% of 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 day traders lose? ›

Traders don't learn about trading. “Trading to learn” is no more rational or profitable than playing roulette to learn for the individual investor. The average day trader loses money by a considerable margin after adjusting for transaction costs.

Do 90% of traders fail? ›

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.

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.

Why 99% of traders fail? ›

The most common reason for failure in trading is the lack of discipline. Most traders trade without a proper strategic approach to the market. Successful trading depends on three practices.

Why do many traders fail? ›

The reason many forex traders fail is that they are undercapitalized in relation to the size of the trades they make. It is either greed or the prospect of controlling vast amounts of money with only a small amount of capital that coerces forex traders to take on such huge and fragile financial risk.

Why do most swing traders fail? ›

The main reason 90% of swing traders don't make a profit from their efforts is that they don't take it seriously enough. They open an account, read a few articles, and try and dive right in. Learning swing trading is an ongoing process that should never stop.

What percentage of traders are successful? ›

The percentage of traders who succeed as full - time traders is relatively low , with estimates ranging from 10 % to 20 % . This means that the majority of individuals who attempt to make a living from trading do not achieve their goal .

How much money do day traders with $10,000 accounts make per day on average? ›

With a $10,000 account, a good day might bring in a five percent gain, which is $500. However, day traders also need to consider fixed costs such as commissions charged by brokers. These commissions can eat into profits, and day traders need to earn enough to overcome these fees [2].

What percentage of retail traders lose money? ›

90% Retail Investors Lose Money - Rediff.com. Only the top 5 per cent profit makers account for 75 per cent of profits. Saad Bhakshi, an aspiring pilot, is addicted to stock market investing. He mostly dabbles in stocks and invests in IPOs.

Do day traders actually make money? ›

Day trading is a strategy in which investors buy and sell stocks the same day. It is rarely successful, with an estimated 95% loss percentage. Even if you do see a gain, it must be enough to offset fees and taxes, as well.

Do most retail traders lose 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.

What percentage of retail traders lose? ›

Research suggests that approximately 70% to 90% of traders lose money. How likely are you to succeed as a trader? Success as a trader depends on various factors, including market knowledge, research, and a disciplined approach.

What percentage of retail traders are successful? ›

Approximately 1–20% of day traders actually profit from their endeavors. Exceptionally few day traders ever generate returns that are even close to worthwhile. This means that between 80 and 99 percent of them fail.

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