Author: Steve

The first few days of 2016 have started with a stumble. Around the world we have seen the US DJI down 6.83%, the UK FTSE down 5.94%, the German DAX down 8.65%, the Japanese N225 down 8.66% and the Australian XJO down 7.41% all of which pale in comparison to the Chinese Shanghai SE Composite Index, which is down a massive 15.47%. (as at Jan 12)

Looking at the table above comparing the 1 month, 3 month and 12 month results – the overall returns look a little different, but still not a great result.

Often we see some weakness early in January, following the “xmas rally”. Though this year may be different to any other year in recent times. We have the very immature Chinese market going from boom to bust on a daily basis, the constant underlying instability in the middle east and record low prices on just about every commodity.

Leading the chaos is Oil.

Jan 19 (Reuters) – Unseasonably warm weather and rising supply will keep the crude oil market oversupplied until at least late 2016 and could push the price below its current 12-year lows, the International Energy Agency said on Tuesday.

The addition of Iranian supply to a market where production looks set to outpace consumption for a third year in a row could not come at a worse time for crude oil exporters, who are grappling with prices at their lowest in more than a decade.

Brent crude futures LCOc1 have fallen to their lowest level since late 2003, tumbling below $30 a barrel, after OPEC said in December it would not cut output to halt the price slide despite global oversupply.

The IEA, which issues regular reviews of the health of the energy market, said more price weakness could lie ahead as a result.

“Although we do not formally forecast OPEC oil production, in a scenario whereby Iran adds 600,000 bpd to the market by mid-year and other members maintain current output, global oil supply could exceed demand by 1.5 million bpd in the first half of 2016,” the agency said in a monthly report.

One thing that we can count of for 2016, all the doom and gloom of lower commodity prices, will subside – somewhere, one day this will just become the new normal.

Providers of all commodities will restructure their businesses to adjust to lower income or they will stop producing. The key for investors is not to be on the wrong side of the line. Investing in any commodity at the moment is a pretty risky strategy. There is loads of money to be made (and lost).

The underlying losers in this oil price war are the alternative energy producers, the lower the cost of oil – the harder it is for any alternate technology to grab a foothold.

If there was any genuine relationship between oil prices (per barrel) and the price we pay at the pump, a lower oil price would actually be stimulatory for our economy. Somebody in the fuel chain in Australia is cashing in on low oil prices – but it certainly isn’t the consumer.

I started this post in September 2010 after a company called Sonray went out of business, left it as a draft and forgot about it – but looking at the subject line it would seem to be relevant at any time.

So you have worked all your life, been diligent with your savings, you have a nice secure nest egg for your years to come — and all of a sudden things change.

Whether we are talking about the GFC event or the collapse of a financial product or business, divorce or even a death, your future may start to look a little different. I have the utmost sympathy for those tied up with businesses that have gone broke, a lot of great people have lost money with supposedly reputable companies, just trying to make good investments, and it really sucks as you are often an innocent party – perhaps just believing in what your Financial Planner or Adviser was telling you.

Let me state that I have never seen any adviser start out with a goal to lose their clients money. Often what happens is that bad timing or bad choices become worse over time. I will cover this in much more detail in another article.

After the initial shock has set in, the worst thing you can do is nothing….

What is done is done, this article isn’t about how or even why, but whats next — how can I recover from this.

Stay calm, rarely is a good decision made when emotions are high. Start to refocus and determine your logical investment goals. They may be very different, but the rebuilding process is very important to your future — so start doing something, and that means now!

Identify your assets, and whether those assets can recover. Remember most quality assets will regain their value over time.

Try not to be a buyer after a major surge in price or a seller after a harsh fall (esp from fear). Do not over commit with leverage, but do become more active, get some help and stay involved. Re-evaluate your strategy often, making sure you see the big picture.

For those in Australia that have lost money to an adviser that feel that they were given advice that was not appropriate, there are legal avenues to pursue. Everyone with an AFSL has a complaint handling process, start there.

Feel free to contact me for further information.