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.

Sanlam investments in South Africa is based in Cape Town and made up of leading wealth management businesses allowing the investor to choose a product that is suitable to his or her needs. They also have a strong presence offshore including countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States of America. Amongst their expertise they offer conventional asset management, employee benefits, property asset management, collective schemes, private client investment management and stockbroking just to name but a few. They provide services to individuals, corporations, financial institutions and government agencies.

Sanlam investments allow individuals and business to choose whether you want to allow your money to grow at a steady pace in a safe fund that offers guarantees or in a more aggressive higher risk type of fund that can offer some excellent growth and returns. Choosing the kind of fund that will suit you or your business will very much depend on how comfortable you feel with the level of risk that is involved. Risks can be influenced by different factors including things like how a portfolio is compressed from the different types of investments, the strategy of an investment manager or if there are any guaranteed returns.

Shares listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange or overseas stock exchanges, real estate and property, government bonds or money market funds, these are just a few examples of the area’s that a business or individual can invest in. All funds are managed funds which basically means that all investors’ and policy holders’ premiums get pooled and then invested on their behalf by a fund manager. All decisions are made only by this expert manager and investors need not get involved with detailed decisions related to classes or timing. If you are a business or individual investor looking for a company to help you manage your financial growth then be sure to give Sanlam investments a good look.