"Beat the Market"

"Beating the market" means achieving investment returns higher than the average performance of all investments in the market, typically measured by a benchmark like the S&P 500. Investors or fund managers aim to outperform this benchmark through skillful selection of stocks or other assets, rather than simply following market trends. Success in beating the market suggests they are adding value through their decisions, though it is challenging and involves higher risk and skill. Many experts believe consistently beating the market over the long term is difficult, as markets tend to reflect all available information efficiently.