Abstract
In the Dynamic Retail Investment Context, it is important to know how stock selection criteria correlate with investor satisfaction and perceived success. The current research examines the effects of three commonly known stock selection approaches—Fundamental Analysis, Technical Analysis, and Peer Pressure—on perceived investment outcomes, in terms of satisfaction with expected returns, risk management confidence, and satisfaction with investment decisions. The research applies theories of behavior and decision-making to formulate and empirically test a conceptual model, using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) with a sample of 312 equity investors. The model demonstrates the differential effect of different selection processes on investors' perception. Technical analysis is the strongest predictor of returns satisfaction, indicating that investors desire short-term, empirical measures of their perceived success. Fundamental analysis strongly boosts confidence in risk-taking and decision satisfaction overall but paradoxically demonstrates a negative correlation with satisfaction for returns, and this can be attributed to conservative expectations or delayed outcomes. Social pressure provides poor affective support and has minimal influence on perceived returns or self-confidence, indicating the limitations of investment behavior based on social forces. The results highlight the psychological factors in investing and the necessity of balancing strategies with temperament of investors. The study offers practical implications for policymakers, platforms, and education about finance, who want to promote informed and confident investment participation by retail investors. The research contributes to the knowledge on how investors evaluate success in volatile equity markets by combining both analytical and behavioral factors.
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