Personality traits and investment decisions in South Africa

Abstract

Personality traits refers to an individual’s habitual patterns of behaviour and emotional reaction to different situations. The aim of this study was to determine how personality traits can possibly influence South African investment decisions. This study further aimed at contributing towards the field of investment management, by assisting investment companies to accurately profile their clients based on their personality. Results from this study found that investors who fall into the openness, extraversion, conscientiousness and risk averse personality will take on both short and long-term investments. On the other hand, investors who fall into the agreeableness personality type will most likely take on short-term investments.

Keywords: personality traits, investment decisions, South Africa, investors