What funds are you investing in, and why?

[user593]

My stocks and shares ISA is mostly S&P 500 Tech. I’ve now invested a little bit in gold as well. I’ve got a bit more I need to put somewhere and I’m not sure what to do - everything seems so volatile at the moment. What are you investing in, and why?

I've got my money in a Vanguard global tracker at the moment, but I am a bit worried about the amount of US tech stock, so was wondering how to mitigate this risk. Hence the question about funds that exclude US. But perhaps I should be looking at bonds, or one of the Vanguard life strategy funds instead. It's very difficult to know, as pp said, most of us have a million other things to think about. The amount of money wouldn't warrant an IFA, so am just trying to do my best with it

Just read this properly. Agree, fees are definitely a priority. By size, I assume you mean no of assets within the fun? I haven't looked it up yet. Thank you, this sounds like a good one to look into

I wouldn’t worry too much about US exposure within a global tracker. The US will always bounce back, so if your time horizon is more than 10 years or so it’s somewhat academic.

Perhaps put some money into a European tracker…

I have just taken 20% of my investments out of the S&P500 and put into a safe money markets fund. There is to much euphoria at the moment and the valuations are insane.

I am in my fifties, and while I am okay for work at the moment, I don't have a ladder really to get me to my pensions, which all start at 68. So the longest time I am looking at is ten years and it could be less, which is why I am being cautious

I'm not giving people advice, it wasn't asked for and I'm not qualified to tell people what they should invest in - I was asked a question and I responded - what are your qualifications? You seem very keen to tell people what they should do - what's your angle? Why the loyalty to Vanguard - there's plenty of other global index funds out there. I have Vanguard shares but I certainly would not fixate on them - diversification baby - that's the game I play - not for everyone maybe!

Yes and I also am talking retrospectively.

And the sophisticated investors do worse than the trackers, long term. It’s something of an accepted fact.

I find it really helpful to talk about these things here, because it's not something we talk about as friends in this country. I'm grateful for peoples' thoughts, but am definitely not taking anything as advice, so no one need worry on my account!

I Googled Vanguard and followed links to stocks and shares ISA.

If you can leave the money in for 10 years or more, it appears to be a pretty safe bet.

It’s not impossible that you could lose. Unlikely, but not impossible.

I got an £80,000 lump sum when I retired in early 2022. It’s now £106,000.

IFAs tend to overcomplicate investing. Index funds are a relatively new phenomenon and a gift for retail investors like us to have a very diversified and low cost portfolio. A global index fund is a good place to start if it is a well known name and the fees are low.

Of course you are - but you are selling Vanguard like they are a guaranteed win - maybe you don't mean to - but no one can predict the future - the stock market has risen easily over the last couple of years, your choices are not that unique and they promise nothing of the future.

I’m saying it appears to be a pretty safe bet over ten years or more. That’s an opinion.

I’m also describing what happened to my money. That’s recent history.

If that is not sufficiently clear to you, we cannot communicate; leave me alone.

Global all cap and chill

If you need the money in 10 years time, and cannot do without it, then you need to mitigate that risk, the stock market can dive at any time - if the dive coincides with the point at which you need to access your your cash (your retirement day for example) and you havent planned for it you might be in big trouble this needs planning not crossing your fingers and hoping for the best.

Yes, which is why you should be moving your money out of investments and into savings or bonds about 5 years before any big money needs..

Although no need to move all of it to a safe harbour. Plan what you need to spend ahead of time and have it in a safe place for just in case. Or maybe you do need to move all of it - it really depends on your circumstances.

Can anyone briefly tell me about the uranium mining please?

I think it’s important to understand investing as part of financial planning. Generally speaking, high risk fo money that’s required many years away and derisking closer to retirement as your ability to replenish or survive without that money dwindles.

also your attitude to risk, you own personal fall back position, your values will all play a part in your decision making.

Well the price has gone through the roof following Trump's announcement. about wanting to start making some lovely new weapons of mass destruction. What info did you need?

This is all I need to know, thanks.

The problem with niche funds and high-risk equities is that these require a lot of time to research and monitor, an above-average attitude to risk, and the nerve to buy and sell at the right time. By the time ordinary investors hear of these opportunities, the ship of big profits has usually sailed.