Why personality—not stock picks—determines your investment success

Forget chasing the perfect fund—your biggest asset might be yourself. A groundbreaking study flips the script on what truly drives investment success.

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2026 April 29 . 12:25 PM

1 min read

The image shows an infographic poster with text and images that reads "Investing in America" and... — The image shows an infographic poster with text and images that reads "Investing in America" and provides information about the various industries that are investing in the United States. It includes details such as the number of jobs available, the types of investments available, and the estimated time it takes to invest in each industry. The poster also includes visuals such as graphs and charts to help illustrate the data.

Finance Expert: "Which ETF Should I Buy?" Is the Wrong Question—Here's What Really Matters

Why personality—not stock picks—determines your investment success

Saving and investing depend on your personality type. (Image: TimeShops/Shutterstock)

Which ETF is the right one? Which stock has potential? When should I get in? While these questions spark heated debates in finance forums, Andreas Hackethal, a financial researcher at Goethe University Frankfurt, argues they're missing the point. In this interview, he explains why understanding your own personality is far more decisive for financial success.

About the Author

Since early 2023, Ulrike Barth has been providing freelance insights for our site on fintechs, cryptocurrencies, and consumer protection in the financial sector.