FTSE-100 falls to 1998 levels!

dunstonh

So, is this a good time to invest in shares?

Better than a month ago. Whether we are at the bottom now, we dont know.

It could be a good time to phase your investments rather than one lump in one go.

mystic_trev

The problem with the Sub-prime debacle is no one knows where it's going to end or how much it's going to cost. The Markets hate uncertainty, and I think this will have a lot further to run. I expect to see recovery tomorrow, as the Market takes a breather. DOW is only slightly down on the day so the FTSE should recover most of the ground it lost today.I converted 75% of my SIPP into cash back in March and am not rushing to get back into Equities in a hurry, i'd rather wait for the dust to settle.

fimonkey

Sorry to take this off topic a bit, but what are your considered opinions on the effect of this wobble in the stock market on the housing market, long term and short term?

As an FTB, would you make your move now or wait?

thanks

ManAtHome

Jonbvn wrote: »

Trying to read the market? A fools game, second only to currency speculation.

If the FTSE goes up around 150 tomorrow, time to dig out those old videos of "one man and his dog"... http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6948916.stm

dunstonh

A european recovery is possible. Remember Europe closed before the dow recovered. So, early trade may see recovery pending the US opening later in the day.

cheerfulcat

agal wrote: »

I am looking at a graph of the FTSE-100 since 1984 and the current level (5944) was first seen around 1998! I only wish I had more ready money available to invest in the market.

Your title is a wee bit misleading, IMHO - FTSE 5944 ( 5858 now ) was last seen in September 06.In April of this year the FTSE was briefly around the 5900 level. There had been a tremendous run-up to 6700+.

kennyboy66_2

fimonkey wrote: »

Sorry to take this off topic a bit, but what are your considered opinions on the effect of this wobble in the stock market on the housing market, long term and short term?

As an FTB, would you make your move now or wait?

thanks

I'd probably wait - for maybe 18 months to 2 years. However, easy to say for someone who owns their house already. I guess it depends where and what you are buying. The worst choice almost anywhere in the country would be a new flat - overpriced, over supplied and very little chance of capital growth over the next 5 years.

If you are looking to buy a house that you are likely to stay in for a decent amount of time (at least 6 years), are not likely to move jobs and its big enough to accomadate any changes in you family size, don't really see a problem in jumping in now. Its a home you are buying after all, not an investment product.

dippy

In the metro today, in the financial section, all of the stock market indices (world-wide) that they usually list are down. Plus they had an article where a city trader said the market wasn't at it's lowest point just yet.

Aren't they calling it "armageddon" in the financial markets at the moment?

purch

Aren't they calling it "armageddon" in the financial markets at the moment?

.........only people with no idea what they are talking about.........which includes all the talking heads on TV who call themselves 'Financial Journalists'

By the way speculating in the Currency markets is not a fools game....speaking as someone who 'retired' from the market at 36 that is :beer:

Also no professional trader will try to pick the bottom or top of a market......

I remember my first 'lesson' in trading given to me as a fresh faced 17 yo brand new onto the trading floor........'Buy when it's going up....sell when it's going down .............that ends your training.... now get on with it boy !!!'

Buying into a rising market is always the best option...........so I would wait until the market settles down...........better to miss the first 100 points of a 800 point rise than try to pick the bottom and lose 300 points !!!!

MABLE

At the moment itS like trying to catch a falling knife. I would wait until the dust settles and the market starts to turn.