ASX

[Punk Rooster]

Having decided I may wish to tie up some money (un-defined period), is now the "right" time to invest in the ASX?
The company I'm looking at invests broadly across the ASX, hence I believe it would reflect the overall state of the ASX- is this somewhat correct?
Appreciate any feedback, or alternate options....

[smac]

I suggest you consult a broker.

DJ Carmichael (based in Perth) handle everything I do, have been pretty spot on with most predictions they have made for me.

I would personally suggest staying out of finance, and getting into mining - pretty obvious advice mind you.

Having said all of that, the investment company you are looking at are probably as good as a broker in most respects, lessening your risk (and subsequent returns most likely) by spreading it around a lot more.

There are always gains to be made in the market, it's never a bad time.

[Hondo]

Yes, SMAC is wise ... speak to a broker Punky

Now is probably a good a time with prices at a low point

Argo Investments or similar are a safer option because they invest in so many companies they get buffered from part of the general ASX price movement. But a broker would be able to pin-point some potential bargain stocks so you might end up changing the way you want to go.

[Psyber]

Yes, SMAC is wise ... speak to a broker Punky

Now is probably a good a time with prices at a low point

Argo Investments or similar are a safer option because they invest in so many companies they get buffered from part of the general ASX price movement. But a broker would be able to pin-point some potential bargains and you might end up changing the way you want to go.

Just remember to negotiate what percentage of the investment they charge you - it will drop if you get up to go elsewhere - but be sure the drop is recorded in the paper they give you to sign. I went to a guy once and reached agreement but the paperwork offered quoted the full rate despite what we had agreed. When I noticed he said it was an oversight, but I went elsewhere anyway!

[Sheik Yerbouti]

Having decided I may wish to tie up some money (un-defined period), is now the "right" time to invest in the ASX?
The company I'm looking at invests broadly across the ASX, hence I believe it would reflect the overall state of the ASX- is this somewhat correct?
Appreciate any feedback, or alternate options....

Put it on red you weak bastard.

[redden whites]

Having decided I may wish to tie up some money (un-defined period), is now the "right" time to invest in the ASX?
The company I'm looking at invests broadly across the ASX, hence I believe it would reflect the overall state of the ASX- is this somewhat correct?
Appreciate any feedback, or alternate options....

Put it on red you weak bastard.

GOLD

[MightyEagles]

I'd ask an adviser who handles these's things. But I believe it just about now to put some money into the market, if you have the money, but that's just me.

[Psyber]

Broad advice. When the market falls then pauses, buy.

[bulldogproud]

However, looking at the state of the world economy (particularly the US) now would perhaps not be the best time to buy. Recessions are about to happen broadly. I would still expect share prices to rise but by nowhere near the rates they have done until recently. However, do as many of the posters say, get advice from a broker.
Cheers

[devilsadvocate]

Having decided I may wish to tie up some money (un-defined period), is now the "right" time to invest in the ASX?
The company I'm looking at invests broadly across the ASX, hence I believe it would reflect the overall state of the ASX- is this somewhat correct?
Appreciate any feedback, or alternate options....

It's looking like a far better time to invest than mid to late 2007 when the market was starting to get a little ahead of itself. Given prices have dropped 11% or so this year, it's looking like a reasonable time to start assessing companies in some industries.

As has been noted above, I would be a little wary of financials due to the jitters being experienced by any company that makes an announcement with the word 'credit' in it.

There are a number of great quality Listed Investment Companies (LIC's) that as you say invest broadly accross the ASX. Argo & Australian Foundation Investment Company are two of the biggest, but there at least 4-5 others with decent track records. The only thing to consider with these companies at the moment is they will still have a large holding in the financial sector.

If you are interested in learning more, I'd highly recomment a book called 'The Intelligent Investor' by Benjamin Graham. It's an old book, but has had numerouse revisions and additions and is prefaced by Warren Buffet. Benjamin Graham taught Warrne Buffet the principles which have helped him build up net wealth of over $56 BILLION USD. It's fair to say, that this guy knows what he's talking about and the book will make you change they way you look at the stock market forever.

Finally, if you do go to an investment advisor, remember that NOBODY and I mean NOT ONE PERSON IN THE HISTORY OF THE STOCKMARKET can predict the future. The market is an irrational beast which can make you stinking rich and desperately poor overnight and it's swings and roundabouts cannot be accurately predicted by ANYBODY.

[devilsadvocate]

Forgot to mention too, here are some good sites I use to keep track of the stockmarket:

(mods - please pull post this if it's infringing on any SAFooty rules)

http://www.bigcharts.com - look at charts of Aussie stocks by placing "au:" ahead of the ticker code - ie au:BHP

http://www.compareshares.com.au - excellent news site which is maintained by the team that used to contribute to the now defunct Shares Magazine.

http://www.sharescene.com.au - sharemarket forum that's largely egotistical rubbish, but is great for getting a feel for what other market punters are doing.

http://www.hotcopper.com.au - another sharemarket forum which is full of complete garbage, but is good for alerting you to some speculative stocks as they take off.

Finally, the finance sections on both the Yahoo and Ninemsn sites have some useful tools and information.

[devilsadvocate]

Buuuump

Anyone interested in the stock market? Probably not given the lack of attention this thread has had.

Anyhoo, thought I'd pose a few questions in light of the current turmoil.

Anyone else getting in at the moment?
Anyone thinking of selling?
Anyone refusing to look at the damage to their finances?

Hopefully not too many on here have been seriously burned by the latest developments. I'm using it as a great time to buy up a few that have been way, way, way overdone IMO.

[CENTURION]

MONEY = DRUGS & HOOKERS, YOU JUST CAN'T GO WRONG!

[Punk Rooster]

viewtopic.php?f=20&t=18399

I decided that particular event was political as much as anything else.

My Super had already taken a hit prior to these latest events, but as I'm in it for the long haul, I'm believing it to be a blip on the radar.

[gadj1976]

Buuuump

Anyone interested in the stock market? Probably not given the lack of attention this thread has had.

Anyhoo, thought I'd pose a few questions in light of the current turmoil.

Anyone else getting in at the moment?
Anyone thinking of selling?
Anyone refusing to look at the damage to their finances?

Hopefully not too many on here have been seriously burned by the latest developments. I'm using it as a great time to buy up a few that have been way, way, way overdone IMO.

I purchased some mining shares in March at $2.50. They went up to $5.12 and are now $1.10 and falling. I'm not selling because I'm not too concerned. I have only a few hundred shares, so nothing too much to concern myself with.

I heard an old bloke on the news last night saying that he's taking the opportunity to get on board the blue chip shares because they wont be this low again possibly ever. I'm inclined to agree. He also added that "I might even sell them tomorrow". Which meant to me... he was confident the market was going back up TODAY. Overnight, Wall St improved, so I'm jumping in and getting a meagre amount of BHP shares. Meagre as in, if I lose the money completely (not likely) I'm not financially distraught! I'll assess tomorrow whether they've gone up enough to keep or sell. If they go down, so be it.

[Dutchy]

Yep looking to purchase some low hanging blue chippers....great opportunity if your looking for a long term investment

[Psyber]

I'm watching the share market, but not changing anything yet.

I'm happy with the longer term outlook of my mainly financial and resource based portfolio.
The only things I may want to dump are some QANTAS shares I inherited, but I'll wait for a rally over the next six months or so. If they fall over it is not a big deal - I have a broad spread.
I also have some Fosters shares I am ambivalent about, and I have a moral dilemma about being a part owner of Telstra.

[gadj1976]

Missed out on BHP, but got ANZ instead.

[Squawk]

Mining not immune - our big buyers would have been buffered by their links to the US market.
Speak to a broker, yes. Stocks can be bought, just gotta get the right ones. You could also consider commodities like grain or currencies. Argo is a great company H31.

Another option - but get advice - is US real estate. I've heard of houses selling for $6,000 at the moment because banks dont want to have property portfolios and when people default on their mortgages, they are making quick fire sales.

As always, get good advice though!

[Squawk]

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,24423786-5006301,00.html

Gotta "love" the ad on the Advertiser website from Care Super that says "At least her super is sitting pretty".

Did News Ltd and Care Super overlook the fact that there has been a financial meltdown taking place, and everyone's superannuation has been mauled as a result?

I'd love to know what the bottom line return / impact on funds invested with care super has been in the current period? If theeir fund has lost 8-10% in the last year like most of the others, is their fund sitting pretty? I dont think so.