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Finger length 'linked to financial success'
Finger length 'linked to financial success'
By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID, AP Science Writer Randolph E. Schmid, Ap Science Writer – Mon Jan 12 2009
WASHINGTON (Yahoo) –- The length of a man's ring finger may predict his success as a financial trader, according to researchers at the University of Cambridge in England as quoted by media on Tuesday.
The researchers reported that men with longer ring fingers, compared to their index fingers, tended to be more successful in the frantic high-frequency trading in the London financial district.
Indeed, the impact of biology on success was about equal to years of experience at the job, the team led by physiologist John M.Coates reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
It's suggested that a relatively long ring finger is a sign that the body's organs were exposed to higher levels of testosterone, while a relatively long index finger points to lower level of the male hormone and higher levels of oestrogen.
The researchers studied male financial traders in London, taking saliva samples in the morning and evening. They found that those with higher levels of testosterone in the morning were more likely to make an unusually big profit that day. Testosterone, best known as the male sex hormone, affects aggression, confidence and risk-taking.
In their study, the researchers measured the right hands of 44 male stock traders who were engaged in a type of trade that involved rapid decision-making and quick physical reactions.
Over 20 months those with longer ring fingers compared to their index fingers made 11 times more money than those with the shortest ring fingers. Over the same time the most experienced traders made about 9 times more than the least experienced ones.
Looking only at experienced traders, the long-ring-finger folks earned 5 times more than those with short ring fingers.
While the finger ratio appears to signal likely success in high-actively trading that calls for risk-taking and quick reactions, it may not indicate people who would do well at other sorts of financial activities, the researchers said.
Some traders require additional skills on dealing with clients and sales workers.
And the advantage may even reverse for some, the Coates team said, such as traders taking a more analytical and long-term approach to the markets.
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