4/20/2007

Canucks fans vs. investors

I can't say that I am a real Canucks fan, but I have been listening to games on radio quite frequently in the past few years. Coming out from a few crappy years, I have to say Canucks had become quite successful with a new goalie and new system, but also quite boring, since it has become a "defensive" team.

Of course, when the playoff comes, everyone in Vancouver becomes a Canucks fan, even though they were the person would say that David Nolas (GM) and coach are the idiots, and Sedins (leading assist and scorer of nucks) should be traded. Fans are forgetful, and easily excited. Just like most investors.

For many investors, investment decisions are made irrationally, they get excited and want to jump on the bandwagon when markets are up. "I am willing to take any risk, just get me Nortel!", unfortunately, they are also the ones who would say, "I am risk averse, I cannot take any losses!", when the markets are down. So, they tend to always try to get in when the markets are near the top, and get out when the markets are near the bottom, exact opposite of "buy low and sell high".

We can blame the rationale as "lack of education" or "lack of experience", but at the end of the day, we should make financial decisions based on what is logical and what is rationale.

To our Canucks fans, it is not the end of world when we lose a game, please don't tell me we will never get to the Finals because we lose just one game. (It takes at least 2 more) And don't tell me "we will definitely get stanley cup this year" because we win the next one. (It takes at least 12 more)

To our investors, please consider how much ups and downs you can handle before picking the "hottest investment", just like spicy sauces, I can tell you where the hottest markets are, but I am sure 90% of you cannot handle the heat.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Interesting analogy comparing Canucks fans to investors...

lambofsilence said...

:) good thing we won, but you won't believe how many so called "canuck fans" were jumping off the bandwagon when they lost the 6th game.

Unknown said...

I do have to agree with Mr. Lamb on the investing part. Most of them are in reverse when it comes to investing. Buy High and Sell Low.

Good logic on investing is one thing, but I also feel bad for the Customer Service Department; ie: like me; once the agent or mutual fund manager decided to bail out.

Like me, CSR usually takes the most heat and blame & no commission.

Haha...