Topping up funds?

Newbie2saving

Hi all,

Not sure if any of you have read any of my posts previously, but you can probably tell I am unsure of my investment strategy going forward and as a newish investor I put aside part of my ISA a couple of years ago to learn the ropes in a S&S.

I was suckered in with HL's advertising, I do like their website, but I have learnt to do my own research and not buy on release of a new brand new shiny fund!

My portfolio could now do with adjusting and I am wondering whether to use the market downturn into an opportunity to top up the following funds;

Artemis Strategic Assets is -10%
Jupiter India is -21%
M&G Global Basics is -15%
SL Smaller Companies is -3%
Blackrock European Dynamic is -13%
HSBC FTSE is -4%

Don't get me wrong I am not concerned by the drops in the above funds / trackers, overall this is my 'risky pot', there are a few shares and an IT in there too, but overall it is -15%.

I have this years ISA allowance available (may put majority into something more passive) and I am wondering whether it would be worth throwing a lump sum into each to make up the deficit as now may be a good invetsment opportunity? Or drip feeding in each month? Ditching any of the funds above?

Basically any thoughts are appreciated.

TIA.

Linton

My suggestion would be to try to put a steady stream of money in on a regular basis, either a constant amount each month or a constant lump sum the same time each year. Dont stop now, and dont put in an unusually large extra amount now.

Your list of funds seems reasonably diversified and there doesnt seem any obvious reason to change.

All this is on the assumption you are investing for the long term, 5 years as a minimum but preferably 10+.

Newbie2saving

Linton wrote: »

My suggestion would be to try to put a steady stream of money in on a regular basis, either a constant amount each month or a constant lump sum the same time each year. Dont stop now, and dont put in an unusually large extra amount now.

Your list of funds seems reasonably diversified and there doesnt seem any obvious reason to change.

All this is on the assumption you are investing for the long term, 5 years as a minimum but preferably 10+.

Thanks for the reply. This is my trial pot and yes it is for the long run. I won't need it any time soon and was thinking 15yrs+.

Why would you suggest not putting in a large amount now?

Linton

Newbie2saving wrote: »

Thanks for the reply. This is my trial pot and yes it is for the long run. I won't need it any time soon and was thinking 15yrs+.

Why would you suggest not putting in a large amount now?

I am saying dont worry about trying to time the market by adjusting your payments on the basis of whether you believe prices are high or low. It generally turns out to be a 50/50 gamble. Better IMHO is to decide what you can afford to invest and put that in regularly regardless of the short term state of the market.

Newbie2saving

Linton wrote: »

I am saying dont worry about trying to time the market by adjusting your payments on the basis of whether you believe prices are high or low. It generally turns out to be a 50/50 gamble. Better IMHO is to decide what you can afford to invest and put that in regularly regardless of the short term state of the market.

Thank you. It does make sense, but I can't help but try and buy when prices have fallen, yet there may still be a long way to go with the market! I am too easily tempted, need to learn the ropes before diving in.