Investor’s Daily poll (24 August 2026)

Which of these is a recognised tendency that can cause investors to hold onto a losing investment for too long?

Confirmation bias 134 votes (28.9%)
Survivorship bias 123 votes (26.6%)
The sunk cost effect 140 votes (30.2%)
Anchoring 66 votes (14.3%)

Total votes: 463

Answer: C — The sunk cost effect.

Explanation: The more time, money, or emotion we invest in something, the harder it can become to walk away – even when the evidence says we should. It’s one reason removing emotion from the initial screening process can be so valuable.

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