Drama is upon us.

Another war in the Middle East!

What is going to happen next? It seems that uncertainty is going through the roof.

Nobody likes uncertainty and markets don’t like uncertainty either.

In this situation we expect markets to fall in response to the uncertainty, but should we do anything in response?

Why, oh why, would we react now? 

Some say that now’s the best time to invest in markets. Others can’t bear the pressure and want to withdraw from the market.

Both are wrong, because you can’t time the market, either getting in, or getting out.

Look people, we have been here before, many times.

Should I invest into the market now?

If you have the funds available to invest, now is the right time to invest.

But one must ask the question, is there a reason why you are not already invested? The answer to that question says a lot. Perhaps the money was being kept aside for spending, or an emergency fund. What has changed? Don’t let greed take over. Stick to your plan.

There is pretty much never any benefit from timing the market, either going in, or getting out,  other than through dumb luck.

Should I withdraw from the market now?

If you really need the money now, why haven’t you already withdrawn it from the market?

Can you put off needing the money now for markets to settle down? Tap your emergency funds perhaps?

Do you really need the money now, or is it just panic selling?

Come on.

Discipline over drama is always the best strategy for those with long-term investing plans.

Nobody knows what will happen next and apart from the human suffering, no one should care. Diversified investment portfolios are designed for all seasons. Keep on sailing and you will pop out the other side in due course.

Keep asking great questions ...