Nobody Knows!

I received an email last week from a fund manager inviting me to join a webinar. We get these types of ‘updates’ all the time, this particular one was called ‘What’s in Store for Markets for The Remainder of 2019’. Now, it could have come from any fund manager, who sent it doesn’t really matter, what matters is that these updates are a waste of time. How so?

Nobody knows what’s going to happen with the stock markets for the next six months. Nobody, not you, not us, not the ‘gurus’, nobody.

But here’s the thing. I’ve never yet met anyone who plans to invest for six months and I hope that nobody reading this post is planning to do so. When you’re investing in the stock markets, whatever your portfolio looks like you’ll be taking some level of risk. To make that work, you need to be looking at an investment period of five years at the absolute minimum. At Metis Ireland, we believe that even five years is too short a time frame. We suggest that our clients should be thinking about investing their money for 10 years or more.

And here’s the thing…

That’s a ballpark figure, but with something as personal and financially important as planning your investments, you shouldn’t be dealing with ballpark figures. You can only determine the right investment time frame for you by doing a long-term lifestyle and financial plan that considers your current situation, the life you’d like to lead and the things you want to achieve. It should also build in flexibility and contingency.

We call this type of plan the Metis LifePlan and it’ll help you to determine when you’ll need your money. For example, if you need it in six months’ time, this money should be sitting in cash – getting little or no return but equally, not put at risk. Conversely, if your Metis LifePlan tells you that your pension drawdown won’t happen for 10 years, 15 years, 20 or even longer then of course it’s appropriate to take some investment risk and have a degree of stock market exposure.

And another thing…

Over the years we’ve compiled a wealth of research and experience that shows the ‘crystal ball’ school of fund managers consistently gets it wrong over a long period of time. Of course, some get it right in the short term and this has spawned the ‘Star Fund Manager’ and ‘Star Fund’ phenomena. To see how this plays out, Google ‘Woodford’ or ‘GARS’. It never ends well because, one more time:

Nobody knows what’s going to happen next.

So, knowing this, what do you do? You start with your own long-term lifestyle financial plan that’s attuned to your needs, your goals and the level of risk you’re comfortable with (and can afford to take). You then invest your funds in the appropriate contracts at an appropriate investment risk level. You try to track the markets as best as you can, keep costs down and make sure you aren’t paying too much tax on your investments and pensions. We’d love that plan to be a Metis LifePlan and we’d love to be your choice to guide you through the rest of the process for as long as you need us to.

And here’s the secret sauce, the key ingredient, the recipe for success.

You do nothing. You #STICKWITHTHEPLAN.

Call us today if you think you need to plan for the life you want to live. Our team of experts will guide you and your family to the best possible long-term financial solutions.

We’ll stay by your side year on year, or put much more eloquently, from a quote I saw on Twitter (thanks @AlanJLSmith), Metis Ireland will be your:

“Strategist, wealth adviser, project manager, counsellor, mentor, risk assessor, voice of reason, critical friend, sounding board.”

Time to make the call? Call us on 061 518365 or email info@metisireland.ie

Carl Widger
Co-Founder and Director

Disclaimer

Metis Ireland Financial Planning Ltd t/a Metis Ireland is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

All content provided in these blog posts is intended for information purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial advice. You should always engage the services of a fully qualified independent financial adviser before entering any financial contract. Metis Ireland Financial Planning Ltd t/a Metis Ireland will not be held responsible for any actions taken as a result of reading these blog posts.