The best time to invest money in most markets is when it feels like the worst time. The current financial climate has seen stock markets around the world become turbulent with nobody sure how long this uncertainty will continue. Against this backdrop, some investors may be understandably nervous about buying equity funds. Other investors who are prepared to take a long term view, however, recognise the significant opportunities that currently exist.

Many professionals agree that the best time to invest money is often when sentiment is poor, an approach known in the industry as “contrarian investing”. This type of approach means that investments with excellent long term potential, but whose values have fallen due to general short term negative sentiment, can be bought at attractive valuations. To many, it feels uncomfortable taking this “contrarian” approach but for those looking at investing for the long term, there are a wide range of global opportunities available.

When it comes down to choosing the right markets to invest in, past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance. The income and value of certain investments can easily fall as well as rise and it is important for people, especially beginners to realise that an investor may not always get back the amount of money that was originally put in. Exchange rates and currencies all have effects in different ways but we stand by the advice that if you are looking for the best time to invest money in most markets, do it while it feels like the worst time.