It is early Sunday morning and I find myself thinking about the economy and the markets. I know I probably should not be but hey, some habits are harder to break than others. This poor soul remains hooked.
Investing, at times, feels like discussing money with your spouse. It can be uncomfortable, occasionally messy, but it is necessary. As I have told people for years, if you are waiting for all the uncertainty to vanish before investing, you may never invest in anything again.
Well, volatility is not going anywhere, it is something we all need to learn to live with, like humidity or relatives with strong opinions.
In my work, I actively seek out articles and reports that challenge my views. I avoid those designed to scare us witless or sell ads wrapped in doom and conspiracy. That is not insight, it is entertainment. There is enough of that already.
I’m not doing this alone. I work closely with analysts, partners, and people across various industries. Between us, we have racked up hundreds of years of market experience and no, we are not that old, just well-networked.
Even in a bull market, plenty can go wrong. Some folks expect things to go up every day. They forget that fear at least the rational kind has its uses. Without it, we would all be doing far sillier things than we already are. That said, living in constant panic mode is not healthy either.
If your priority is safety over growth, the bank or a fixed deposit will gladly take your money and keep it quiet. If you are afraid of change, you will eventually be left behind by the curious and the bold. Personally, I do not compare portfolio returns to fixed deposits over a full cycle.
Anyway, I will leave it there for now. Time to unplug and enjoy the rest of this Sunday with the family. Even market addicts need a break.