It's time, not timing

By Meera Patel | 12 May, 2008 

We take a look at fund performance each month to try and grasp which areas of the market are doing well and why others are not.

Over the course of this year it has been impossible to identify a clear trend from one month to the next. For the month of April the more opportunistic sectors like Asia, technology and the specialist sectors performed well. Surprisingly, many Japanese funds also top the tables in April. This was virtually the reverse in March where Asia and emerging markets were one of the worst performers while gilts and bonds ranked near the top of the tables.

Volatility has been rife and there is no shortage of information about this on a daily basis. However, we make no excuse for reiterating that it is the length of time you are in the market rather than timing an investment that is important. We do not have a crystal ball to tell us when the market bottoms or is at its peak. However, whether you invest in corporate bonds, shares or other assets, it is wise to take a long term view and in a good quality investment, you should be well rewarded.