Investment decisions should never be a once only event!  

• Do you know how your funds are performing?
• Are you receiving the ongoing advice you need?
• Are you paying fund based trail commission but don’t know what you’re getting for it?

To ensure your plans stay on track to achieve your objectives and remain relevant to your changing lifestyle, we believe they should be reviewed at least annually.  

When the economic outlook is uncertain, investors may feel nervous and risk losing sight of their longer term investment goals.  In these challenging times, the need for quality, impartial financial guidance is greater than ever.

• Economic data releases are backward looking so a headline declaring  the ‘worst figures for 25 years’ is based on the period we’ve just been through and does not therefore necessarily reflect the conditions of tomorrow.
• Don’t just listen to the press! Most of us generally take celebrity news with a pretty big pinch of salt but don’t forget that financial headlines can be just as misleading! Keep a clear head, remain focussed on your objectives and speak to your adviser for unbiased advice.
• Don’t panic! Whilst recession is never good news, we believe it offers an opportunity to review your portfolio and make sure it’s strongly placed to take advantage of the recovery.
• Recession is often defined as at least two quarters of negative economic growth in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).  What must be remembered is that six months in the average lifespan of a portfolio is not long at all.

Remember Kipling, “If you can keep your head whilst all around you are losing theirs…”? Downturns in the market are a great example of when this applies.  Rather then being panicked into making drastic and potentially unprofitable decisions, we believe the secret is to stay focussed, review the situation with your adviser and if necessary make sensible, strategic changes to provide some additional strength.

If you have any questions about your own portfolio or would like to discuss the best mix of investments to meet your needs, please give us a call or fill in the contact form.