Six-year study documents gender and age differences among trader success, and busts the myth that risk and results are the stuff of youth
MILTON KEYNES, England, Aug. 18, 2011 — A new, six-year study on financial trading is busting the myth that risk and results are the stuff of youth. The “silver surfer” traders, or those who are 55 years old and older, are trading a full 40 percent better than those falling into more youthful categories, the study indicates. What’s more, women also traded differently and understood the markets better than men, a surprise finding that surfaced in the survey conducted by Vince Stanzione of Fintrader.net, an author, investment course writer and self-made millionaire who, among other things, has dedicated much of his life to financial trading.
“The study’s results support my professional experience with financial trading whereby older traders take risks but are apt to take the right ones because they’re more organized, focused and very results-oriented,” Stanzione says. “In fact, I’ve seen a recent surge in ‘silver surfer’ students who are learning to invest for themselves and doing it very well. They’ve got the time to grasp the industry and all it entails, plus they keep excellent records and have embraced technology to position themselves as cutting-edge, albeit older traders.”
Stanzione’s survey analyzed six years of trading results from 600 individuals, split evenly into three age groups: 18-35, 36-54 and 55+. The study ranged from 2005-2011, covering both bull and bear markets, the 2008 banking collapse, the volatile 2008-2009 markets, plus the May 2010 flash crash. Among the results, traders in the youngest age group generally had the poorest profitability, broke trade rules more often, yet, notably, used newer technologies and social media to their advantage.
“Silver surfer” traders also embraced technology to support their business, but performed the best by far, making more profit per $1,600 invested. Their success is possibly attributed to their keeping excellent records, taking risks with specific commodities, using good money-management practices. They have more time to study the industry and are learning and implementing new technologies.
Traders who fell into the middle age group were the least risky of the three groups, yet they performed second best. They followed trading rules, but were more conservative about taking big risks, and gaining or using new skills, technologies or products.
When it came to the men vs. women traders, patterns indicated that women traded less than men but managed a more diversified portfolio – and better. They were also quick to admit mistakes, ask for help and cut losing trades. Men often “hoped” for change, while women reacted and changed course more often.
For more information, visit http://www.fintrader.net.
NOTES TO MEDIA:
Complete survey findings are available on request.
Stanzione will be visiting New York August 23-25, 2011 and is available for media interviews related to his survey and his newest training course, “Maximum Trading Profits in Minimum Time.” This course specifically targets United States investors.
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