What Is Fad Investing and Why It’s Dangerous?
Fad investing is the tendency to chase hot, trending sectors or stocks based on hype rather than business fundamentals. Whether it’s tech IPOs in the late 1990s, cannabis in the 2010s, or NFTs and SPACs in recent years, the dangers of fad investing remain constant: inflated valuations, unsustainable growth, and painful crashes.
Many investors are drawn into these fads by the promise of quick wealth, often fueled by social media, viral stories, or celebrity endorsements. But history shows that such trends rarely lead to long-term financial success.
In this article, we’ll explore:
- What defines a fad investment.
- Real examples of past investment fads.
- The psychology behind the hype.
- Why value investing remains the best approach.
- How to identify and avoid fads.
- A checklist for evaluating stock sustainability.
What Is Fad Investing?
Fad investing involves allocating money into companies, sectors, or trends that are popular at the moment but lack strong fundamentals or long-term potential. These investments tend to attract widespread attention and surge in price, only to collapse once enthusiasm fades.
Characteristics of Fad Investments
- Excessive media coverage and social media buzz.
- Lack of consistent earnings or clear business model.
- Absurd valuations based on future potential rather than present value.
- A flood of retail investors entering without research.
Some of the most notorious examples of fad investing include:
- Dot-com stocks (1999–2001): Companies like Pets.com with no profits but sky-high valuations.
- Cannabis boom (2017–2020): Stocks like Tilray (TLRY) soared then crashed.
- SPACs (2020–2021): Special Purpose Acquisition Companies such as Nikola (NKLA).
- Crypto/NFTs (2021): Explosive short-term gains that quickly reversed.
Why Fad Investing Fails
Fad investing fails because it prioritizes popularity over profitability. While momentum may push prices higher temporarily, ultimately, a stock’s value is tethered to its ability to generate future cash flows.
Common Reasons Fad Investing Backfires
- Unsustainable Growth: High-flying expectations often lack real execution.
- Lack of Moat: These companies typically lack competitive advantages.
- Management Missteps: Many are led by inexperienced or promotional CEOs.
- Regulatory Risks: Unproven industries attract scrutiny (e.g., cannabis, crypto).
- Investor Psychology: Emotional decisions based on FOMO lead to poor timing.
Behavioral Traps Behind Fad Investing
Investors often fall into psychological traps that drive them toward fad investments:
- FOMO (Fear of Missing Out): You see others making money fast and feel pressure to jump in.
- Herd Mentality: People copy what others are doing, thinking the crowd can’t be wrong.
- Overconfidence Bias: A belief that “this time is different” clouds judgment.
- Confirmation Bias: Investors ignore red flags and seek only hype-affirming news.
This behavior undermines rational, disciplined investing. For more on this, read Overcoming Fear and Greed: Emotional Control in Investing.
Learn more about investor psychology and biases on Investopedia’s guide to Investment Fads.
Fad Investing vs Value Investing
The Value Investing Approach
Unlike fad investing, value investing focuses on buying quality companies at reasonable prices. It relies on analyzing fundamentals, determining intrinsic value, and holding for the long term.
Legendary investor Warren Buffett exemplifies this approach. He once said:
“The stock market is designed to transfer money from the Active to the Patient.”
Value investing avoids the hype and instead seeks companies with:
- Predictable earnings
- Strong balance sheets
- Durable competitive advantages
- Sensible valuations
If you’re unfamiliar with intrinsic value, start with Determining the Intrinsic Value of a Stock: A Guide for Investors.
Buffett’s View on Fads
In multiple interviews and shareholder letters, Buffett has warned against investing in companies you don’t understand or that haven’t proven themselves.
See more at:
Morningstar has an insightful article on why speculative stocks are so dangerous and how they differ from true investments.
Real-World Examples of Fad Investing Gone Wrong
1. Nikola Corporation (NKLA)
Touted as the “next Tesla,” Nikola promised revolutionary hydrogen trucks. With no actual revenue, it soared to $90+ per share in 2020. By 2023, it was trading under $2, plagued by fraud investigations.
2. Tilray (TLRY)
Cannabis stocks like Tilray exploded in 2018 with legalization hype. It reached nearly $150 per share before collapsing below $3 in subsequent years.
3. Dogecoin (DOGE) and NFTs
Backed by celebrity tweets and internet culture, these digital assets gained traction fast—until market reality struck, and many lost 90%+ of their value.
The SEC has also issued investor alerts and bulletins related to speculative and hype-driven assets.
Checklist: How to Spot a Fad Investment
Before investing, ask yourself:
✅ Does the company have current and growing revenues?
✅ Is the business model proven and scalable?
✅ Are earnings backed by real customer demand?
✅ Do you understand how the company makes money?
✅ Are valuations based on actual cash flow?
✅ Is there excessive media or social media hype?
✅ Are insiders (executives) buying or selling?
✅ Has the company shown resilience through market cycles?
If you answer “No” to several of these, you might be looking at a fad.
Actionable Takeaways
- Don’t invest in what’s “hot”—invest in what you understand.
- Focus on the long-term earning power of a company.
- Avoid making emotional decisions based on hype.
- Review company fundamentals before buying any stock.
- Create investing rules to protect yourself from speculation.
- Revisit your strategy with resources like The Power of Long-Term Investing.
Common Questions About Fad Investing
Q1: How do I know if I’m investing in a fad?
A: If you’re buying a stock primarily because it’s trending on social media or in the news without understanding its fundamentals, it’s likely a fad.
Q2: Are all tech stocks fads?
A: No. Some, like Microsoft (MSFT) or Apple (AAPL), are profitable and durable businesses. The key is understanding their financials and long-term viability.
Q3: Can you make money on fad stocks?
A: Some do—but it’s usually due to luck or timing, not sound investing. Most people buy high and sell low.
Q4: What should I invest in instead?
A: Look for companies with consistent earnings, clear business models, and reasonable valuations. Focus on value, not trends.
Q5: Should I ever invest in a new trend?
A: Only if you deeply understand the industry, company, and risks—and if the company shows real financial promise.
Conclusion: Why Long-Term Investors Must Avoid Fad Investing
Fad investing may look exciting, but history shows it rarely leads to lasting wealth. Instead, it distracts from the core principles of successful investing: patience, discipline, and understanding what you own. By focusing on value and the long-term, you put time and compounding on your side.
As Warren Buffett has shown time and again, wealth is built not by following the crowd but by standing apart from it—investing in quality businesses at fair prices, and holding them through thick and thin.
Avoid the hype. Trust your process. Think long-term.
Happy Investing!