Overcoming Behavioral Biases in Investment Decisions with IWI

Denver, CO —September 23, 2019 — Advisors say being easily influenced by recent news, playing it overly safe and seeking information that reinforces established perceptions are the most common behavioral biases that impact their clients’ investing decisions. These are findings from the BeFi Barometer 2019 survey, new research sponsored by Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. (CSIM) in collaboration with the Investments & Wealth Institute and Cerulli Associates.

“Recognizing behavioral biases is an important first step to keep emotions in check and avoid missteps that may have a negative impact on long-term financial goals,” said Asher Cheses, Research Analyst, High-Net-Worth at Cerulli Associates. “Advisors who incorporate behavioral finance principles into their practice can help their clients put guardrails in place to avoid irrational decision-making and better adhere to a long-term financial plan.”
 
The top five behavioral biases that advisors observe significantly impacting their clients’ investment decisions are:

• Recency bias (being easily influenced by recent news events or experiences): 35%

• Loss Aversion bias (playing it safe or accepting less risk then they can tolerate): 26%

• Confirmation bias (seeking information that reinforces their perception): 25%

• Familiarity/home bias (a preference to invest in familiar/U.S. domiciled companies): 24%

• Anchoring bias (a tendency to focus on specific reference point when making investment decisions): 24%

Behavioral Biases by Generation

The BeFi Barometer 2019 survey results suggest that vulnerability to specific behavioral biases varies by client age. The advisors surveyed say they observe that the following biases are most prevalent within each generation:

• Millennials:

  • Framing bias (making decisions based on the way the information is presented): 54%

• Generation X:

  • Recency bias (being easily influenced by recent news events or experiences): 64%

• Baby Boomers:

  • Anchoring bias (a tendency to focus on specific reference point when making investment decisions): 75%

• Silent Generation:

  • Familiarity/Home bias (a preference to invest in familiar/U.S. domiciled companies): 84%

“With the prospect of increased volatility and lower returns on the horizon, advisors who understand the psychological or emotional factors that predispose investors to behavioral biases can differentiate their services in what is becoming an increasingly competitive environment,” said Omar Aguilar, PhD, Chief Investment Officer of Equities and Multi-Asset Strategies at CSIM and practitioner of behavioral finance in asset management for over 20 years. “Understanding how attitudes, preferences and biases can impact decision-making – and how those biases can differ by generation – can give advisors powerful insight when developing a long-term relationship and building portfolios for their clients.”

Mitigating the Negative Impact of Behavioral Biases

Advisors say the number one approach investors can take to counter unconscious biases when making investing decisions is to take a long term view (62%). Advisors also say that implementing a systematic investment process (52%) and integrating goals-based planning (47%) are very effective techniques for mitigating the potential risks that an individual’s unique emotional or cognitive biases may pose to their long-term financial goals.
 
The research also highlights that it is important for advisors to not only understand client biases, but also be cognizant of their own. Advisors ranked loss aversion (29%), overconfidence (17%) and confirmation (9%) as the top three biases that impact their own perspectives and decision- making.
 
Bridging the Gap: Taking Behavioral Finance Principles from Theory to Practice Notably, nearly three-quarters (71%) of advisors surveyed say they incorporate behavioral finance principles into their client communications and interactions, while just 58% say they apply the concepts to portfolio construction.
 
The survey results indicate that advisors are aware of the benefits of incorporating behavioral finance principles into their practices. Nearly half (46%) of surveyed advisors indicate that incorporating behavioral finance allowed them to better manage client expectations, while 40% say this gives them the ability to reduce their client’s short-term emotional decisions. Additionally, 30% of surveyed advisors say that incorporating behavioral finance helps keep clients invested during periods of volatility.
 
However, many advisors also say they lack the resources and tools to bridge the gap between the concept and practical application. Nearly two-thirds of advisors surveyed (65%) say the primary reason they don’t integrate behavioral finance into their practice is because they have difficulty translating behavioral theory into implementation. More than half (54%) indicate a lack of software/tools.
 
“The survey revealed that advisors and their clients can benefit from more behavioral finance education, training, support and tools, which is why the Investments & Wealth Institute has focused on providing that educational knowledge base through our certifications, on-demand courses, and conferences, including our Behavioral Advisor Forum, taking place in San Francisco this week.” said Sean Walters, CAE, chief executive officer, Investments & Wealth Institute.

Behavioral Finance Week

The Investments & Wealth Institute and CSIM will share more information and resources on behavioral finance throughout week of September 23, 2019. Dubbed Behavioral Finance Week, the goal of this educational initiative is to raise awareness about the impact behavioral biases can have on investors and advisors alike. Visit www.schwabfunds.com/befibarometer and the BeFi Barometer 2019 survey for more information or join the conversation on social by using the #BeFiWeek and #BehavioralFinance hashtags.