15 Mar 2017
As Theresa May prepares to pull the trigger on Article 50, we examine what Brexit means for investors.
We have put together a few recommendations to help guide you in the right direction.
You are likely to hear all sorts of analysis, predictions and arguments about the potential implications of a Brexit for the economy.
Whatever the individual commentator’s pre-set beliefs, they will likely be able to attribute their findings to some sort of ‘evidence’ to support their view. But the reality is simply that nobody can know either the result or how each scenario will play out.
Long-term, both the costs and the potential benefits of Brexit to the UK economy are probably exaggerated by commentators and campaigners from each side of the argument.
Over the long-term, investors do experience market falls which happen periodically. Generally, the wrong thing to do when markets fall by a reasonable margin is to panic and sell out of the market.
This just means you have taken the loss.
Instead, it’s important to remember why you invested in the first place, and make sure that rationale hasn’t changed.
The market implications of Brexit are difficult to gauge at this stage, and it’s also important to note that negotiations are likely to take at least a couple of years and during this period, existing EU laws and regulations will continue to apply to the UK.
Brexit is understandably an emotive subject and one that you rarely hear analysed in a dispassionate way.
There will inevitably be times of market volatility – especially since market falls are a natural feature of stock market investment.
During these times, it is possible that emotions overcome sound investment decisions.
The important thing to remember is to resist the temptation to change your portfolio in response to short-term market movement.
‘Timing’ the markets seldom works in practice and can make it too easy to miss out on any gains.
Always remember: the golden rule to investment is allowing your investments sufficient time to achieve their potential. Warren Buffett, the American investor and philanthropist, puts it very succinctly: “Our favourite holding period is forever.”
Understandably, market volatility can be unnerving for investors, but having a global strategy and broad diversification of assets should help to smooth out some of the inevitable ups and downs involved in stock market investing.
To make the right investment choices, you need to ask the right questions. And when it comes to answering those questions, Aberdein Consdine can help you find the best way forward.
If you would like to get a sound point of view about what may be right for your unique situation, please contact us. We’ll review and discuss your financial situation, help you set goals, suggest specific next steps, discuss potential solutions and provide ways to help you stay on track.
To speak to one of our advisers, call 0333 0044 333 or click here.