losing money advice please

westy69

i dont think he is slagging anyone off he is just giving his opinion which in all fairness i have asked for by posting on an open forum.

baby_boomer do you have anything constructive to add?

baby_boomer

No. I'm delighted to see dunstonh pulling his weight and offering detailed information on the open forums. Long may it continue.

61% property is scary, so good luck.

westy69

cheers :beer:

Footsie_2

Westy, if the IFA is a member of a network it will state that on their letterhead, business cards, website and so on so it should be quite easy to see.

As for your current investment, it's very hard for anyone to tell what is going to happen in the markets at the moment and all you'll get here is people's, very varied, opinions. My thoughts are that you'll make a loss with the property funds for the meanwhile but they will probably rally in time. Also being in Global property as opposed to UK property may limit the drop somewhat.

Everyone was investing in property for quick gains when equities fell apart and as much as property is currently falling I don't think the equities market is ready for the influx of new money therefore I think people will convert to cash and then reinvest in property. Just my opinion, I'm sure others will disagree!

westy69

any more opinions or advice on this, i think i am going to complain what do you think my chances are? if i dont get any where am i on a loser could my funds recover enough to pull out without taking a huge loss?
If i win how do i find an IFA i can trust i will be looking at maybe 80% cautious the rest medium risk any tips?

thank you

dunstonh

I think you have a good chance providing your word it well.

westy69

dunstonh wrote: »

The 4 funds chosen

balanced distribution fund - medium risk
global property - medium/high risk
distribution fund - low/medium risk
select property - sounds like Standard Life's property fund which is actually a higher risk property fund than most.

The overall spread is medium to medium/high risk.

Its probably a bit late to transfer the property now as the worst has been done and some are now suggesting that we could see growth on property funds during 2008 and that they are looking value (depends on fund really and a few unknowns).

The spread seems a bit amateur and a bit fashion investing and old school mixed into one. Distribution funds and balanced managed are popular with old school advisers and picking two higher risk property funds that had almost certainly done well in the years before suggests "oh they have done well and everyone in the media thinks they are great so lets have some" mentality. Fair enough for a £1k or £2k but not half the investment.

Hi does anyone know are there any official ratings of how risky these 4 funds are classed as?

i am just trying to prepare my case

thanks

dunstonh

Hi does anyone know are there any official ratings of how risky these 4 funds are classed as?

The providers will risk rate in their own funds guides. You should be able to access these at their website. Both NU and Std Life have funds guides available and IIRC, they were the two providers.

westy69

thankyou again your ratings you stated are spot on just needed official confirmation

you also mentioned that it was not a very well spread/balanced fund, based on my cautious view on investments how do you think it could have been spread?

thanks

westy69

update i complained to the FA recieved their final (and only) reply today basically saying that they share my dissapointment in the funds performance but they feel the advise i was given is sound.....so saying IMO that i am only complaining because the funds are not performing well

so of to the ombudsman next