Here's how you can maximise your odds of beating the ASX 200

Learn how to be a better investor and beat the ASX 200

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For many investors, investing into an index fund such as the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS) is the cheapest and most convenient way to get broad exposure to the ASX 200.

For those called to a higher calling, beating the index is possible and here are two tips that I think could help you on that journey:

  • Think independently
  • Do your own research

The daily financial news cycle is typically driven by fear (that's why talk of corrections, bear markets and recessions constantly dominate the headlines) and so it can be very difficult to tune out all the noise.

There are many companies that split opinions and if you can't do your own research and think independently, it can hurt your returns.

For example, is the Afterpay Touch Group Ltd (ASX: APT) share price about to go gangbusters after their US & UK expansion or is it going to flop due to new regulations?

Are the banks Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC)Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ASX: ANZ) and National Australia Bank Ltd. (ASX: NAB) going to benefit from rising interest rates or will the income from higher rates be offset by higher loan default rates?

Thinking through these types of questions and making informed decisions can help you to distinguish between justified and unjustified market drops.

Unless you are thinking objectively and independently, it's easy to become swayed by popular opinion and sentiment. 

As the legendary investor Howard Marks reminds us, the best returns are not made by following what everyone else is doing. However, it's not enough to just be a contrarian. You must be a contrarian and you must be right.  

Are you ready to start doing your own research? Click here to learn about this technology and how you can profit from it!

Motley Fool contributor Kevin Gandiya owns shares of AFTERPAY T FPO. You can find Kevin on Twitter @KevinGandiya. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of AFTERPAY T FPO and National Australia Bank Limited. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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