An investing strategy well-suited to volatile market conditions
Argument for investing exact amounts regularly over time is compelling when markets hit a rough patch.
7th January 2019 15:43
by Graeme Evans from interactive investor
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The argument for investing identical amounts regularly over time is particularly compelling when stock markets hit a rough patch. Graeme Evans explains why.
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It is notoriously difficult to time investments, with the danger things could backfire spectacularly where a lump sum is involved. A better bet for many is to space the investment out over time, known as pound-cost averaging.
The argument for regular investing is particularly strong in present market conditions. By investing the same amount of money each month, the saver irons out volatility and stands to benefit when the share price rises.
But what happens if markets rally? Regular investors will potentially have missed out on growth compared with those who invested a lump sum. Their money is in the market for longer, while investing as early as possible also means it is exposed to a market upside for longer.
Research by interactive investor shows that investing a lump sum early has proved beneficial for ISA investors. It found that over the past 20 years, from 6 April 1999 to 5 April 2019, investors who paid in the full amount to their ISA each year would have invested a total of £206,560.
Over that period – achieving the FTSE All Share total return, excluding charges – early-bird investors would have a portfolio worth £387,629. Regular investors would be sitting on £380,979, while last-minute investors would have £369,812.
The beauty of regular investing is that it forces you to invest regardless of what the market is doing. As well as this disciplined approach, it also removes much of the stress and worry out of building a long-term portfolio.
Lump-sum investors, in contrast, tend to take a more impulsive, market-timing approach that can be counter-productive. There is a danger they become over-fixated by sentiment and try to buy when they think the market is at its lowest and sell when it is at its highest. This is a skill not even the most experienced fund manager can perfect.
Independent investment expert Rebecca O’Keeffe says: “The evidence shows that the longer you spend invested in the stock market, the better off you are likely to be – but it doesn’t consider the ‘sleepless nights’ factor.
“While investing regularly may be slightly less effective than investing a lump sum, it comes with one huge benefit – no regret risk. Investing every month in a disciplined way removes the worry about trying to time the market and should allow you to sleep better at night.”
It is worth remembering the advice of Berkshire Hathaway chairman Warren Buffett, who prefers not to have an opinion about markets in case it distracts from making good stock purchases. He says: “We continue to make more money when snoring than when active.”
These articles are provided for information purposes only. Occasionally, an opinion about whether to buy or sell a specific investment may be provided by third parties. The content is not intended to be a personal recommendation to buy or sell any financial instrument or product, or to adopt any investment strategy as it is not provided based on an assessment of your investing knowledge and experience, your financial situation or your investment objectives. The value of your investments, and the income derived from them, may go down as well as up. You may not get back all the money that you invest. The investments referred to in this article may not be suitable for all investors, and if in doubt, an investor should seek advice from a qualified investment adviser.
Full performance can be found on the company or index summary page on the interactive investor website. Simply click on the company's or index name highlighted in the article.