Staff Reporter
WE all know someone that knows someone that says you’d be mad not to invest in this stock as ‘it’s going to the moon’ or ‘this is a sure-fire win, get in why you still can’.
They usually turn out to have a finger in the pie of the stock you invest in, and it goes down like a soufflé taken out of the oven too soon… and you have just put your money into it!
In my experience there are two types of investors; the investor who follows his/her own strategy and the investor who makes trades on the basis of tips passed to them.
For the latter group, they are overwhelmed with Nova Top 5’s, 2020 Investment Tips, Top Shares for 2020 and other tipsters who all seem to be full of wisdom.
The tip-seeking investor thinks they can lie back and relax while golden tips flow towards them.
I get continuous requests to compile top five and top ten tips; explain where the dollar will go in 2020, and whether or not you should be in this or that stock.
I have only one tip for you: never follow an analyst, trade fair expert or guru blindly.
One of the disadvantages of following tips is that they might offer only a very temporary solution for your investments. When I advise you today and my tip is correct, what are you going to do next week when I’m on holiday?
Always keep a clear mind and research first
You are once again facing the problem of wanting to invest money, but not knowing where or in what to invest.
Therefore, tips do not provide a basis for maintaining a consistent portfolio and strategy.
There are also those who’ll offer you a subscription. My advice is not use these unless you are aware of the quality of the service. Always do your homework.
I, like any other investor, do not have a crystal ball on my desk (if you do find one my details are at the bottom, let me know!).
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However, there are many who pretend to be able to look into the future and predict prices. Do not allow yourself to be deceived. Do not trust any tip on face value and always review the story and reputation of the man with the crystal ball.
You should never follow a tip without first doing some background research. Indeed, there are many people who are more knowledgeable about investing in stock markets than others, but do their forecasts always turn out the way they said they would?
No, but if your tipster is right most of the time, you have a very valuable stock exchange companion.
In addition, you’ll need to determine whether his vision is suitable to you. Check on what his choices are based on (technical, fundamental analysis etc.), and more importantly, whether you know and are familiar with the instruments he is suggesting you to invest in.
If these points are all positive and the tipster has a good and reliable track record, the ingredients for a potentially rewarding investment plan are all there.
Your own investment approach
What’s better is your own investment approach. Based on research and education. You don’t rely on other people’s tips, but you have identified which markets you want to follow, when a share meets your criteria, how you take action, and when you move to make the trade. Although this is more time consuming, it is the most constructive and often rewarding way of investing.
Or as a colleague of mine always says: Do you want a fish, or do you want to learn to fish? (I’m sure someone said that a couple of millennia ago too).
Let’s face it, laziness is part of human nature and we would generally rather receive tips in our laps, rather than rolling up our sleeves and doing the work ourselves. In addition, it is good to be able to blame the so-called “experts” for disappointing investment results. Ultimately, however, you are the one who determines whether or not you are successful in the stock markets.
Hopefully you feel more attracted to the strategic group of investors and you are willing to invest time in order to construct your portfolio with a stable return.
Thou shall keep a watchful eye on your neighbour, family and friends. (and I don’t mean with the drone you just bought from Ebay).
The information in this column should not be interpreted as individual investment advice. Although BinckBank compiles and maintains these pages from reliable sources, BinckBank cannot guarantee that the information is accurate, complete and up-to-date. Any information used from this column without prior verification or advice, is at your own risk. We advise that you only invest in products that fit your knowledge and experience and do not invest in financial instruments where you do not understand the risks.
