Perceived effort and complexity in investing create a bias where investors believe managers who appear to be working harder (many analysts, many models, many trades) are more deserving of compensation than managers with simpler processes that produce better results.

causalpending

Speaker

Ben Carlson

Evidence Quote

I think people in the world of Finance assume that like more effort means better results... if I gave people like two investment managers... one you know they've got this team of analysts grinding away... and then I gave him another one where... a Quant guy like sitting on the beach drinking a pin colada and he's Bea the S&P by 5% a year a lot of people are going to want like the other one better

Source

Practical Lessons from Ben CarlsonExcess Returns
Created: 8/11/2026, 7:52:29 AM

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