Citi says this successful contrarian strategy is about to fizzle

As investors look for new ways to make money in the stock market, many have turned to contrarian investing. This strategy involves buying stocks that are out of favor, hoping that the market will eventually recognize their true value and drive up the price.

However, according to a recent report from Citigroup, this strategy may be nearing its end. The bank believes that the market has become more efficient, making it harder for contrarian investors to find undervalued stocks.

The report notes that the rise of passive investing has made it easier for investors to access the same information, allowing them to quickly identify and capitalize on opportunities. This has made it harder for contrarian investors to find undervalued stocks that the market has yet to recognize.

In addition, the report suggests that the increasing availability of data has made it easier for investors to identify trends and capitalize on them, making it harder for contrarian investors to find opportunities.

The report also points out that the rise of algorithmic and high-frequency trading has made it harder for contrarian investors to make money. These traders use sophisticated algorithms to identify and capitalize on opportunities faster than humans can, making it harder for contrarian investors to get in on the action.

Finally, the report suggests that the increasing focus on short-term results has made it harder for contrarian investors to stick to their strategies. With investors increasingly focused on short-term gains, it is harder for contrarian investors to stay the course and wait for the market to recognize the true value of the stocks they have purchased.

While contrarian investing has been a successful strategy for some investors, it appears that the days of easy profits may be coming to an end. As the market becomes more efficient and focused on short-term results, it is becoming harder for contrarian investors to find undervalued stocks and capitalize on them.