When to invest in the stock market: a beginner's guide

 

When to invest in the stock market: a beginner's guide

Content of the article

At what age should I invest in the stock market?

Is there an ideal economic situation for investing in the stock market?

When to invest according to your personal situation

Is there a minimum amount to invest in the stock market?


Many of us wonder when to invest in the stock market.

Is there an ideal age to invest? Is there a specific timing to optimize your chances of success?


So many questions that we will try to answer through this article.


At what age should one invest in the stock market?

Generally speaking, there is no perfect age to start investing in the stock market.


Nevertheless, we agree that it is preferable to start investing as early as possible. This is because investing early in the stock market can result in higher returns and more capital being generated. The advantages offered by compound interest tend to confirm these statements.


Note

As a reminder, compound interest is the interest on an investment obtained through the accumulation of interest over the previous years. This interest accumulates and thus allows for a significant improvement in the returns of the investments made.


Legally, you must be 18 years of age or older to invest in the stock market.


However, it is possible to open accounts from the age of 16 in case of parental emancipation. For younger people, investing in the stock market is allowed provided that this is done by the parents or legal guardians.


Although there is no ideal age for investing in the stock market, it is still advisable not to start this type of investment before having a stable financial situation.


Is it possible that it is too late for me?

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If you never had the chance or the opportunity to invest in the stock market when you were young, you should know that it is never too late to start.


Don't hesitate too long: you will gain more by starting as soon as possible.


On the other hand, your investment strategy will necessarily be different depending on whether you're 20 or 50.


As you approach retirement (or the date of completion of any project for which you have invested), it is important to secure your assets and to give, for example, a more important place to euro funds and bonds than to stocks.


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Is there an ideal economic situation for investing in the stock market?


There are often many questions that can be asked when looking at when to invest in the stock market. Including questions related to the economic situation.


For example, you may wonder if an investment will be more successful during a recession, during a period of high volatility, or when the economy seems to be "doing well.


Unfortunately, banking on the seasonality of the economy may not pay off. Keep in mind that markets are unpredictable.


Not only is it difficult to predict the markets, but small investors tend to be pessimistic or optimistic at the wrong times. Trying to invest in a good market and pull out in a bad market is a recipe for failure.

 Peter Lynch – Author of And if you knew enough to win in the stock market


It is much more interesting to maximize your time in the market rather than trying to enter it at the "right time".


This is why it is recommended to invest as soon as possible, whether prices are falling or rising, or even if you are going through an economic crisis.


Markets have historically tended to go up over the long term, even though fluctuations can be significant.


With a larger "time in the market", you benefit from this upward trend of the market.


And in case of a crisis or a sudden drop in the stock market? This is often an opportunity to buy shares "on-sale"!


Indicators to keep in mind

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This does not mean, however, that you should totally neglect the economic and social context - especially with regard to its impact on your own situation.


For example, an economic or health crisis such as the one we are experiencing with COVID-19 could imply a loss of employment or other impacts on your personal and financial situation.


In any case, you should only invest money that you can risk losing.


You should also have a 3 to 6-month safety cushion set aside in an easily accessible account.


When to invest according to your personal situation

Of course, it is advisable to invest in the stock market as soon as possible, but you should not start this type of investment if you are not in a stable financial situation.


The goal is to secure your investment as much as possible and to avoid finding yourself in difficulty when faced with a market downturn or a socio-economic crisis.


Note

As a reminder, the market fluctuates (rises and falls) regularly, but you technically don't lose money as long as you don't sell your assets.


Also, depending on your projects, your investment will not be realized in the same way or at the same time.


For short-term projects, for example, it is recommended to avoid the stock market which fluctuates a lot. You could find yourself "forced" to sell your shares when the market is down, and therefore suffer losses on your investments.


You can also decide to secure your investments according to the maturity date of your projects thanks to progressive security systems.


For example, Nalo life insurance is one of the interesting solutions to consider. It is insurance that allows you to invest by objectives, and to secure your portfolio little by little as the realization of your project gets closer.


It offers a management method that does not favor a particular economic period, nor does it bet on the price variations of a given asset. It, therefore, allows you to build the most appropriate asset allocation taking into account your investment horizon and your situation.


Is there a minimum amount to invest in the stock market?

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Don't wait until you have thousands of euros to invest to start investing in the stock market.

Even with smaller funds, you can already get started (again, provided you are in a stable financial situation).

Again, time in the market is key.

Your small amounts can then potentially turn into larger amounts. To do this, you will need to apply a suitable strategy and focus on discipline, patience, and seriousness.

The only thing to keep in mind is that some banks or online brokers (the platform you will use to invest) may require a minimum deposit at the opening.

After that, you can make regular payments (e.g. monthly) if you wish, or simply put in your windfall. The ideal is of course to invest regularly.

If this is your very first investment, choose index funds or ETFs over buying stocks directly.

Not only will your diversification be better (and your investment less risky), but it is anyway recommended to avoid investing in stocks or sectors that you do not control.


Attention

This article is for information purposes only. Before making any financial decisions, consult a (real) financial advisor.

Investing carries a risk of loss.

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