Updated market commentary

The media is yet again hyping-up recent stockmarket falls with meaningless front page headlines such as ‘£50 billion wiped off the value of shares’.

But what does it mean for Carbon investors?

Firstly, most Carbon investors have between 40% and 60% of their portfolios in bonds, i.e. not in shares. This serves to provide some security to you during periods when shares are in difficulty. Portfolios are also widely diversified around the globe to further spread the risk.

We have seen this before in 1974, 1987, 1999, 2001, 2003 and 2008. Stockmarkets falling sharply is nothing new – the people who tend to lose are those who take a very short-term view and sell out, typically missing the recovery which follows.

At Carbon, we build long-term plans for our clients which make allowances for this kind of event. Market fluctuations are normal and expected when you are investing in shares.

My advice is to focus on your longer term plan and ignore what is short-term ‘noise’. Let the Directors at Carbon worry about what is happening in world investment markets and take such anxiety out of your hands. We will adapt our strategy where required, based on the long-, not the short- term, and advise you accordingly.

If you have any questions, please contact me on gordon.wilson@carbonfinancial.co.uk