RE: SP rise7 Apr 2021 12:55
I think you're spot on Smithy in your analysis but as you say in your later post the statistics for retail investors are not good.
I think a large part of that though is due to psychology/mindset. The most obvious example is the enthusiasm seen to invest in markets and stocks when they are riding high and the reluctance and nervousness to do so when they are low. This turns into a buy high, sell low approach which will obviously only end one way.
In gambling terms this is the adage that you should always seek value (you may think a horse is going to win but you still shouldn't back it if the price is too short for the chance you think it has).
So I don't think people should be put off just by the statistics but if they recognise in their behaviour any of the usual pitfalls of gambling (not looking for value, chasing losses, investing based on FOMO, risking more than can afford to lose, borrowing to bet more, being sure you're going to win, not spreading risk etc.) then it definitely may be worth thinking twice.
Like you I've learned the hard way and though the above may sound very obvious it is all too easy to get carried away.
Anyway, good luck to all (as that certainly helps!) and here's hoping the price here keeps rising - which I think it will - but of course I don't know!