Just like in golf, we know it’s the blow-ups that ruin performance. That’s why every Brandywine fund is built to prevent them—not with predictions or market timing, but with a systematic, mathematical process designed to keep you in the game when things fall apart.
Chasing performance isn't inherently bad—doing it without a plan is. A structured, disciplined strategy that follows trends can outperform emotional buy-and-hold decisions.
Most investors have heard the refrain: 'Trading is gambling; investing is safer.' But this myth hinges more on mindset than mechanics. The truth is, without a defined process, both trading and investing can be risky. And with a defined, disciplined process, trading can actually reduce risk and create consistent opportunities.
Markets trend—and those trends can be quantified and traded. But most investors underperform not because they chase, but because they hesitate, override rules, or apply strategies inconsistently.
Performance-chasing isn't inherently irrational. It becomes dangerous when done without a system. This myth’s real lesson is that ‘reaction without a rulebook’ is what leads to disaster.
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Contrary to popular belief, taking more risk doesn't guarantee more reward. The worst market days hurt far more than the best days help—and volatility often clusters.
Despite its intuitive appeal, the strategy of buying low and selling high underperforms a simple buy-and-hold approach. While it aims to reduce risk and capture gains opportunistically, it suffers from poor timing, missed returns, and nearly identical drawdowns.
The idea that passive investing is automatically safer than active management is seductive—but flawed. Index funds might be 'passive' in execution, but they are far from passive in risk.
The 'buy and hold' mantra assumes that time will smooth over volatility and generate returns. But history shows this strategy works only under specific market conditions—and can be catastrophic when those conditions shift.
The myth of intrinsic returns invites complacency. But real-world data shows that returns are earned, not given — and they’re subject to meaningful variation depending on valuation, market conditions, and sentiment. As investors, we must remain attentive to these inputs and avoid overpaying in periods of euphoria. Being selective, managing risk, and understanding return drivers is more reliable than hope.
The myth that "you can’t time the market" is wrong—every investor is already timing it, just badly. Emotional decisions cost the average trader 5%+ per year, but a disciplined strategy can turn their mistakes into your gains.