Many Are Unaware: 5 Mistakes Beginner Investors Make During This Crisis That Can Lead to Major Losses!

Jakarta – When the economy is unstable, many people turn to investment as a way to preserve asset value and seek profit opportunities. However, crises pose the greatest challenges, especially for beginner investors lacking experience and solid strategies. Without sufficient understanding, investment decisions can lead to significant losses. It is essential to realise that a crisis is not just a threat but also an opportunity. Many experienced investors manage to profit during market turbulence. Unfortunately, beginners often fall into avoidable mistakes. Therefore, it is crucial to identify these fatal errors to prevent detrimental situations. Here are five fatal mistakes beginner investors make during a crisis that you must avoid, as compiled by Viva on Friday, 17 April 2026. 1. Panicking and Selling Assets at the Wrong Time One of the most common mistakes is panicking when asset prices drop sharply. Many beginners immediately sell their assets out of fear that losses will worsen. However, this decision locks in those losses. In many cases, markets have cycles and potential to recover after the crisis subsides. You should remain calm and rationally evaluate the situation before making decisions. 2. Lacking a Clear Investment Plan Investing without a strategy is like walking without direction. During a crisis, investors without a plan are easily swayed by market sentiment. You need clear investment goals, time frames, and risk tolerance limits. With proper planning, you can make more measured decisions even in uncertain market conditions. 3. Ignoring Diversification Placing all funds in one type of asset is a major mistake, especially during a crisis. If that asset experiences a sharp decline, your entire portfolio will be affected. Diversification is key to minimising risk. You can spread investments across various instruments such as stocks, gold, or mutual funds to distribute risk more evenly. 4. Relying Too Much on Unverified Information