short term∙i∙sm (noun)

1. To focus on short-term market moves, economic news or company fundamentals.
2. To act on recent events without considering the longer-term implications.
3. To veer off course from an investment plan based on prevailing trends or fads.
4. Investors plagued by short-termism often damage their portfolios by buying high and selling low.
5. A chronic condition among some investors.

The above term is taken from The Steadyhand Dictionary, which is a collection of investing terms and colloquialisms. Some are widely used, some aren’t used enough, and some are seen only in Steadyhand publications. Many are misunderstood. A high level grasp of these terms will help make you a better investor, not to mention a stirring conversationalist.