An investor who deals in securities but does not do so professionally. Amateur investors participate in the markets for any number of reasons. They may be unemployed and tradepenny stocks to pay bills, or they may invest because they want to control their retirements directly. Some professional investors may look down on amateur investors out of a belief that they are motivated by emotion or they are ignorant of the best investment strategies. However, there is little evidence to support this idea. See also: Odd-lotter, Odd-lot theory.
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