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What do retail FX traders learn?

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  • Hayley, Simon
  • Marsh, Ian W.

Abstract

What is the benefit of experience? Using data from a leading trading platform we find no evidence that retail FX traders learn to trade better, but they do appear to learn about their innate abilities as traders and respond appropriately. In particular, following an unsuccessful trading day, they are more likely to cease trading, to trade smaller amounts and to trade less frequently. These effects are stronger for younger and less experienced traders who might be expected to have more to learn than older, more experienced traders. As regards learning through experience, surprisingly we find that more seasoned traders demonstrate a slight decline in performance once we account for the endogenous decision to cease trading, and even very experienced traders consistently lose money.

Suggested Citation

  • Hayley, Simon & Marsh, Ian W., 2016. "What do retail FX traders learn?," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 16-38.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jimfin:v:64:y:2016:i:c:p:16-38
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jimonfin.2016.02.001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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