This correction-type thingy...

Damage

digannio wrote: »

Do you reckon it's got the feel of a crash on the way? There seem to be a lot of people trying to talk us into a big drop and, it has to be said, there are a lot of very major issues swirling around globally. I'm ready with ISA cash to invest and I'm absolutely useless with any attempt to time things but I must say my inclination at the mo is to hang fire just for now. Whad'ya think?

I have been wondering about this as well. As a novice investor I think I set up my stocks and shares ISA a little prematurely (at the beginning of June), without really knowing what I was doing. Over the last few weeks I have been selling my ISA funds and holding cash within that ISA (at Hargreaves Lansdown) whilst I carry on reading up on investing and trading. I sold my last fund today, after watching the FTSE 100 take a large dive. I'm going to be around £200 down on where I started, which is only about 1.3%, so I'm not going to lose any sleep over that.

As for holding on for the moment, I keep reading articles and reports that suggest it's a good idea, so in the absence of an equal number of articles and reports suggesting that it's a good idea to do the opposite right now (i.e. invest), then I'm going to hang on until I've finished reading all of my books (I'm on my twelfth book at the moment!).

I have set a goal of the begining of the next financial year to be suitably informed about investing, which gives me over eight months to finish my reading list, and not feel under pressure to make decisions right now. Whatever happens with the market between now and then will hopefully provide some helpful indicators on what to do next April.

EDIT: Just to add, this is the kind of thing that has been worrying me a bit lately: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/11805523/Doomsday-clock-for-global-market-crash-strikes-one-minute-to-midnight-as-central-banks-lose-control.html

TrustyOven

Damage wrote: »

EDIT: Just to add, this is the kind of thing that has been worrying me a bit lately: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/11805523/Doomsday-clock-for-global-market-crash-strikes-one-minute-to-midnight-as-central-banks-lose-control.html

Gotta love the intentionally sensationalist scaremongering language being used.

carter91

If you are unsure, then phase your investment into the stock market though regular savings over a longer time period. This can provide more re-assurance than trying to decide when to time a lump sum investment.

Damage

TrustyOven wrote: »

Gotta love the intentionally sensationalist scaremongering language being used.

I'm currently reading about the 'death spiral'. With such a build-up I'm going to be disappointed with anything less than Armageddon.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/markets/ftse100/11813666/Global-markets-tumble-as-commodity-prices-fall-into-death-spiral.html

kidmugsy

Many of the Central Banks have been using QE for years now. Interest rates have been unprecedentedly low for years now. Nobody knows how this huge experiment will end. For what it's worth, my own view is that it will end badly and that the beginning of the end may be upon us. And then again that may be entirely wrong. But I'm not dashing to invest at the moment, I'm compiling a list of what sorts of things I'd like to invest in when value looks better. At some point a tentative toe will be put in the water. Dunno when.

TheTracker

I added 40k to my SIPP in April. Adding another 40k in the next couple of weeks as soon as funds clear. I don't time the market. I maximise time in the market.

digannio

But surely the better value on offer at the moment must help to focus the mind... and the processing of cash for investments.

Kendall80

Its certainly been a big switcharound since March of this year. 3/4 of my funds were up over 10% YTD at that point. Now only my woodford and Japan equity funds are in positive territory. I have still been adding the usual monthly amounts but the thought of selling all has crossed my mind. However as Dunston said above, it could all turn around from Monday on. Uncertain times indeed.

C-dog

I don't know where things will go, but I see a 10% sale happening right now and thats something I'm going to capitalise on. If it rises to 20% sale, I'll buy some more and in the mean time when I have more cash, I'll buy some more as usual.

nrsql

It's a better buying opportunity than a month ago so I've taken advantage of that.
If it keeps going down I'll keep buying - not vast amounts.
What could go wrong - well, the market might not recover over the next 10-20 years but who knows.
Here's hoping that it stays down for my next regular investment next week .
I've never taken money out of the market but do vary how much I put in.