FTSE 100 Index Tracker - Worth a short term punt?

tigerspill

I have just moved £5K to my investment account with the purpose of buying one of Vanguard LifeStrategy funds.
But just wondering if going for a FTSE 100 index tracker might be worth a punt instead - maybe for a few months.
The reason I am thinking this is that this index has plummeted on the last week or two.
What do you think?

LXdaddy

I am pretty sure the FTSE 100 will either go back up or continue falling. Pretty sure it won't flatline.

S&S investing should be for the long term unless you are really good at reading the runes and telling fortunes.

tigerspill

LXdaddy wrote: »

I am pretty sure the FTSE 100 will either go back up or continue falling. Pretty sure it won't flatline.

S&S investing should be for the long term unless you are really good at reading the runes and telling fortunes.

I don't mind holding for the long term. Just thought with the price dive, now might be a good time to buy.

Thrugelmir

tigerspill wrote: »

I don't mind holding for the long term. Just thought with the price dive, now might be a good time to buy.

Why's the market diving?

Linton

Thinking in terms of investing in anything as a short term punt doesnt seem sensible to me. Think long term for investing.

mgdavid

Thrugelmir wrote: »

Why's the market diving?

this week it's alleged to be continuing soft oil prices but I have a feeling markets will stay nervous through until the May election. What happens after that will depend on what sort of government or shade of coalition we end up with. Testing times for somebody just retired and about to invest his SIPP.

Kendall80

tigerspill wrote: »

I have just moved £5K to my investment account with the purpose of buying one of Vanguard LifeStrategy funds.
But just wondering if going for a FTSE 100 index tracker might be worth a punt instead - maybe for a few months.
The reason I am thinking this is that this index has plummeted on the last week or two.
What do you think?

A punt on Woodford may be a better bet for UK equities. Hopefully he will not drop as far as the index and will also outperform on the rise.


I added a little extra in there myself earlier. Just a small amount though as I dont want to completely break my allocation strategy.

tigerspill

Kendall80 wrote: »

A punt on Woodford may be a better bet for UK equities. Hopefully he will not drop as far as the index and will also outperform on the rise.


I added a little extra in there myself earlier. Just a small amount though as I dont want to completely break my allocation strategy.

Thanks Kendall,
I might take a look at that. Is there a specific Woodford fund? I haven't looked at this before.

tomo21217

tigerspill wrote: »

Thanks Kendall,
I might take a look at that. Is there a specific Woodford fund? I haven't looked at this before.

There is a newish fund called Woodford equity income.

Its his own fund management company after leaving Invesco, lots of healthcare and reasonably strong blue chip stuff.

InvestInPoker

tigerspill wrote: »

Thanks Kendall,
I might take a look at that. Is there a specific Woodford fund? I haven't looked at this before.

Yes and having been in his Invesco fund for quite a long time previous I can definitely recommend his fund as a good way to get exposure to the UK (although his fund is only around 75% UK companies I think)

Usually I would be wary of active managers who have been hugely successful in the past and move onto new things as quite often they seem to come unstuck - however in this case his track record at Invesco was very strong and with his new fund he is doing pretty much the same thing and sticking to what he did best. Just search for "Woodford" on your fund platform of choice.

Personally I am a passive investor at heart but I have followed him from Invesco to his new fund so impressed was I at his returns over the years.

gadgetmind

tigerspill wrote: »

I don't mind holding for the long term.

A fair few investors have long-term holdings that were supposed to be short-term "get rich quick" punts.