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The One Investment Mark Cuban Says Almost Anyone Can Make

Why Mark Cuban believes low-cost index funds beat stock picking for most investors.

By Jordan Major

Edited by Laura Hohenstein

Updated Feb. 25, 2026

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When it comes to investing advice, Mark Cuban is not known for being timid. He has strong opinions on startups, crypto, artificial intelligence, and business strategy.

However, when the conversation shifts to what the average person should actually do with their savings, his answer becomes surprisingly simple.

Instead of chasing hot stocks or trying to outsmart the market, Cuban has repeatedly pointed everyday investors toward low-cost index funds that track the broader market, such as those tied to the S&P 500. He argues that this disciplined approach supports long-term financial fitness.

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Why Cuban favors index funds

The former "Shark Tank" co-host's view is straightforward. Most people are not professional investors, and trying to beat the market often creates more risk and stress than reward.

In interviews about personal finance, Cuban has suggested that regularly saving and directing money into a low-cost fund that tracks a broad index can be one of the most practical strategies for long-term wealth building.

"Saving money and putting some into a low-cost mutual fund — like an SPX fund — and living as inexpensively as you possibly can, will pay off dividends," Cuban said.

Broad market index funds provide investors with exposure to hundreds of companies simultaneously. Rather than betting on a single stock, you effectively own a slice of the overall economy. Over long periods, major indexes like the S&P 500 have historically trended upward, even after recessions and bear markets.

For someone focused on building wealth without constantly monitoring the market, that simplicity can be a powerful asset.

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Why Cuban thinks most investors are at a disadvantage

That simplicity also reflects his broader view of how difficult it is for individual investors to compete with professionals.

Cuban has also been blunt about the structural gap between individual investors and Wall Street professionals. He has criticized the disparity between retail traders and large hedge funds, arguing that the playing field is far from level.

"There really aren't any advantages for the individual traders," he said, highlighting the sophisticated research capabilities and data resources available to professional trading firms compared to personal investors.

He has even challenged conventional investing wisdom. "Diversification, that's for idiots," Cuban once remarked, a comment that drew attention, given how widely diversification is promoted in personal finance.

His broader point was not that risk management is useless, but that spreading money across different assets without real knowledge does not automatically create an edge. In the billionaire's view, most individuals are better off either understanding their investments deeply or owning the entire market through low-cost index funds.

The advantages of index investing

Index investing comes with a few built-in advantages. First, costs tend to be much lower. Because index funds simply track a benchmark rather than paying managers to pick stocks, expense ratios are often a fraction of those charged by actively managed funds. Lower fees mean more of your money stays invested and compounding.

Second, diversification is built in. Owning a broad index reduces the risk that one company's failure will severely damage your portfolio.

Third, it reduces emotional decision-making. With a passive strategy, investors are less tempted to jump in and out of positions based on headlines or short-term volatility.

The case for active investing

That does not mean active investing has no merit. Active managers aim to outperform the market by selecting specific stocks, sectors, or strategies. In certain market environments, skilled managers or disciplined individual investors can outperform a broad index.

Active investing may also offer flexibility. Investors can tilt toward defensive sectors during downturns, overweight fast-growing industries, or concentrate capital in high conviction ideas.

However, that flexibility comes with tradeoffs. Fees are typically higher. Performance is less predictable. And many studies have shown that a large percentage of actively managed funds underperform their benchmark over long periods after fees are accounted for.

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What investors should consider

The index versus active debate often sounds like a numbers game, but the real question is how involved you want to be. Do you have the time to follow earnings reports and evaluate companies regularly? Are you comfortable seeing a concentrated position drop sharply if the market turns?

If you prefer a hands-off approach with broad exposure, index funds may fit better. If you enjoy research and understand the risks that come with bigger bets, active investing can have a place. Many investors blend the two, building a low-cost index core and using a smaller portion of their portfolio for selective, higher-conviction ideas.

Bottom line

Mark Cuban's investing advice for everyday people is not flashy. Sticking to low-cost index exposure can also help households avoid common dumb money moves that often derail long-term returns.

By consistently saving, keeping costs low, and investing in broad market index funds, households can tap into long-term economic growth without adding unnecessary complexity.

Active investing can work, but it requires skill, discipline, and often higher costs. For many households focused on long-term stability and sustainable wealth building, Cuban's preference for simple, low-cost index exposure may be the most realistic starting point.

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