Cherry-picking
Choosing only the data, examples or time period that support your story, and quietly leaving out the rest.
In plain English
The numbers can all be true and the picture still wrong. The most common version is choosing the start date: measure from a market bottom and almost anything looks brilliant. Ask who chose the period, and what happens if you move it.
Uncle Gary explains
Cousin Kevin's crypto fund fell 80%, then rose 300% from the low. His website says 'Up 300%!' His investors are still down 20%.
Why it matters for your money
A backtest that only shows its best period, or its best version, tells you almost nothing. That's why every result needs its full period, its number of trades and the versions that didn't work.
Where we tested it
- Lesson 10: How to Lie With Statistics (So You Can Catch It)
- Can Achy Joints Predict the Weather? Grandpa's Knee, Tested
- Is It a Coincidence or a Sign?
- Do Support Levels and Fibonacci Work? We Drew Random Lines Too
Related terms
All glossary terms. Educational content, not financial advice.