A Study of Dimensions of Emotional Intelligence among Speculators and Investors in Stock Market

The study investigated whether significant differences exist between investors (long-term stockholders) and speculators (short-term traders) concerning their emotional intelligence levels. A sample of 100 stock market participants from Jalgaon, Maharashtra, was selected using a simple random sampling technique and categorized equally into 50 investors and 50 speculators. Emotional intelligence was assessed using the Emotional Intelligence Scale by Anukool Hyde and Sanjyot Pethe, which comprises 34 items across 10 factors. A t-test was conducted to analyze the differences between the two groups. The results revealed that investors scored significantly higher across all dimensions of emotional intelligence compared to speculators (p < .01). Investors exhibited greater self-awareness, self-motivation, emotional stability, and managing relations, which may contribute to their rational decision-making and long-term investment strategies. In contrast, speculators had lower EI scores, indicating a tendency toward impulsive, high-risk financial behavior. These findings emphasize the role of emotional intelligence in financial decision-making and suggest that enhancing EI could improve investment strategies and market stability.