--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: \"Average\" isn't so hot at the race track…" description: "\"\"Average\" isn't so hot at the race track given those steep track takes. \"Average\" is pretty decent for stocks, something like 6 percent above the infla..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/637/william-poundstone-19065_average_average-isn-t-so-hot-at-the-race-track-g_2108927.jpg" --- # "Average" isn't so hot at the race track given those steep… ![“"Average" isn't so hot at the race track given those steep track takes. "Average" is pretty decent for stocks, something like 6 percent above the inflation rate. For a buy-and -hold investor, commissions and taxes are small.” quote by William Poundstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/637/william-poundstone-19065_average_average-isn-t-so-hot-at-the-race-track-g_2108927.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/637/william-poundstone-19065_average_average-isn-t-so-hot-at-the-race-track-g_2108927.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/637/william-poundstone-19065_average_average-isn-t-so-hot-at-the-race-track-g_2108927.jpg) > “"Average" isn't so hot at the race track given those steep track takes. "Average" is pretty decent for stocks, something like 6 percent above the inflation rate. For a buy-and -hold investor, commissions and taxes are small.” [William Poundstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-poundstone/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Average performance can be acceptable in some contexts like investing, but not in high‑stakes environments such as racing. **In simple terms:** Average can be okay for stocks, not for racing. Key Takeaway Assess risk and set realistic expectations. Themes risk performance investment competition Mood cautious analytical Type financial advisory When to use this quote - stock investing - racing strategy - portfolio planning Key Concepts expected value risk tolerance taxes commissions Questions to Reflect On - Is average truly sufficient for your goals? - How do you balance risk and reward? A Different Perspective Average may mask underlying volatility and opportunity cost. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Customer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/customer/) [Inflation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inflation/) [Investing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/investing/) [Investors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/investors/) [Race](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/race/) [Race track](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/race-track/) [Taxes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taxes/) ## Related quotes > [Nirvana, to a value investor, is paying a cheap price for a company that is growing in value every year at a nice rate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/whitney-tilson/nirvana-to-a-value-investor-is-paying-a-cheap-price-for-a-company/) [Whitney Tilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/whitney-tilson/) > [To some extent, stocks are like Rembrandts. They sell based on what they've sold in the past. Bonds are much more rational. 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