What if one single fact could be an overnight game-changer when it comes to investing, if only more people knew it… women are excelling in finance, often outperforming their male counterparts. Numerous studies have confirmed that women consistently deliver superior investment returns than men.

 According to recent findings from Fidelity Investments, women deliver superior investment performance compared to men. After analysing over 8 million investment accounts, Fidelity discovered that women not only save more than men by an average of 0.4 % but also achieve higher annual investment returns by 40 bps. Although these differences may appear minor initially, when compounded over time, they become significantly impactful. For instance, for a 22-year-old starting with a $50,000 annual salary, a woman investor is projected to surpass her male counterpart by over $250,000 at retirement age.

However, Fidelity's research also unveiled that women tend to keep excessive cash reserves and often doubt their potential. Only 9 % of women expected to outperform men, a statistic that Alexandra Taussig, Fidelity's former senior vice president of women investors, finds "shocking", " Women need to lean in and own the fact that they're better investors and celebrate that. As we would say, ditch the doubt." Another study by the Warwick Business School in 2018 examined 2,800 male and female investors over three years, revealing that women's portfolios outpaced men's by 1.8%.

Beyond retail investors, numerous studies indicate that women demonstrate a notable edge in fund management and venture capital. Research from the University of California, Berkeley, revealed that startups with at least one female founder experienced faster growth and success compared to all-male teams. Further supporting this trend, a Vanguard study in 2022 analysed 2,669 U.S. active equity funds from 2008 to 2021 and found that funds with gender-diverse teams tended to outperform others.

1. Overconfidence and overactivity by men

The factors contributing to women's investment success are multifaceted. Perhaps they stem from the very meaning of money for men and women. For Frank Lozzo from FMI Financial, for women, “money is security” and not just for themselves but also for their families and aging parents. It's about ensuring stability and safeguarding their future. This perspective influences their investment decisions, leading them to prioritise long-term financial goals over short-term gains. On the contrary, men tend to view money as a game, driven by competition, pride, and ego. This mindset often results in overconfidence and overactivity in their investment strategies.

Studies showed that men trade stocks significantly more frequently than women. For instance, a University of California, Berkeley study examining over 37,000 investor households revealed that men traded stocks 45% more frequently than women. Additionally, single men engaged in trading a staggering 67% more than their female counterparts. This excessive trading approach, while seemingly proactive, often lead to reduced net returns, as it not only incurs higher transaction costs but also increases the likelihood of missing out on significant market gains in the long run. Instead, women show greater patience and discipline in investing. They typically opt for a long-term investment strategy, recognising the value of "time in the market" over attempts to "time the market." According to JP Morgan, missing the 10 best days of the year in the market could shrink your year-end portfolio by 50 %.

Source: Visual Capitalist

2. Women do the reading

Perhaps due to their comparatively lower confidence levels, women exhibit a greater willingness to engage in extensive research before making investment decisions. As emphasised in "Warren Buffett Invests Like a Girl: And Why You Should Too," female investors are renown for dedicating more time to thorough research than their male counterparts. This inclination towards due diligence can be explained by the fact that women recognise their lack of confidence in investing, and their desire to mitigate risks through knowledge and understanding. While men may be inclined to take speculative risks, women prioritise gaining a profound understanding of the instrument and the market dynamics before investing. Additionally, as indicated by a 2021 study by Wells Fargo, women are more likely to seek assistance from financial advisors, 50 % of the women surveyed admitted working with a financial advisor compared to a little under 37 % of the men.

In conclusion, the evidence overwhelmingly supports the notion that women excel in the realm of investing, often outperforming men due to their prudent decision-making, disciplined approach, and commitment to long-term strategies.