John Lowe the Money Doctor gives invaluable advice on the stock market and reveals the secrets of successful stock-market investment in the first of three parts.
Mark Twain was right – October. This is one of the peculiarly dangerous months to speculate in stocks. The others are July, January, September, April, November, May, March, June, December, August and February. These are still nervous times and when it comes to the stock market, I am reminded of the famous Clash song should I stay or should I go ?
Bear in mind the stock market is singularly the best return over any 10 year period of any asset class including property. Timing is everything. Remember James Goldsmith’s great line if you see a bandwagon, its too late. Despite Brexit, Trump, Korea and mankind’s best attempts at pessimism, the stock market is still soaring ahead despite its best attempts last year to become a BEAR ( the market has to drop a full 20% to do so ). With deposit interest rates at an all time historical low, is it any wonder investors are scavenging for any opportunity from any source of a decent return on their money. When the best net demand deposit rate in Ireland is currently 0.195% ( KBC Bank’s 0.3% with 35% DIRT tax deducted) the stock market still provides a glimmer of hope for investors.
I like to simplify investment visually through my Money Doctor boxes’ analogy :
CASH boxes … keeping everything in cash…
| Mattress |
| Demand a/cs |
| Notice a/cs |
| 3/6/9 months fixed a/cs |
| 1 & 3 year fixed a/cs |
| 5 & 10 yr fixed a/cs |
ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT boxes .. diversifying in every asset class and sector globally…
| Stock market incl CFDs derivatives etc |
| Commodities incl gold |
| Property |
| Art |
| Classic cars |
| Rock ‘n roll memorabilia & other collectibles |
| Other |
For the last 10 years, the 2nd longest BULL run (a stock market rise since the last BEAR) continues unabated – the stock market has grown over 200%+ since March 2009….but where is it going now and which sectors, which asset classes ? Trying to individualise stock selection is a mug’s game …. No one – stockbrokers, clairvoyants, financial advisers – can predict when the next BEAR market (a falling market) will arrive. We have had 26 BULL markets and 25 BEAR markets – it is just a matter of time when the next BEAR market arrives… All one can do is take educated gambles and spread that risk but ONLY if you are prepared to take SOME risk. Staying in cash may be safe but effectively your return is generally negative once you take into account fees and charges and whatever pathetic net deposit interest rates are available. Investment is all about the return on your capital but also about managing risk and taking it too.
The best of the current deposit interest account offerings include
- State Savings’ (NTMA) National Solidarity Bond yields 16% TAX FREE. Grossed up at 35% ( the current DIRT tax rate ) it is equivalent to 2.31% each year.. maximum investment is € 120,000 per person ( minimum € 500 ) This is the very best deposit rate in Ireland on a guaranteed cash deposit account.
Interest rates are likely to stay low for some time – Draghi hinted til 2020 at least – so what can investors looking for better returns do ? … if you want growth, you MUST take some risk…and to make the decision to invest outside of those deposit boxes – the safety net – you would want to see at least a potential trebling of the best deposit interest rate available as a return to justify that decision .. plus you may also need a mix of both “boxes”
Remember Warren Buffet’s wise words the stock market is a mechanism for transferring money from the impatient to the patient.
It’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon. Stick with me. Part two next week.