Individual Investor Contact Us Careers United Kingdom Our Company Products Fund Views Insights Resources Search Home Investor Education When is the best time to invest? Share WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO INVEST? Here are three lessons which might give a different perspective Everything Changes – Bear markets have always been temporary. And so have bull markets. Templeton Maxim Number 4 Common wisdom suggests that you should buy when stock markets are at their lowest point and sell at their highest. In reality this is almost impossible to achieve – no one can reliably predict the exact time markets will finish falling or when they will reach their peak. However, history gives us three lessons: 1. Each bear market has been followed by a bull market Number of Bear Markets* 9 in Developed Markets 10 in Emerging Markets Number of Bull Markets* 9 in Developed Markets 10 in Emerging Markets 2. Bull markets have lasted more than three times longer than bear markets Average Duration of Bear Markets in Developed Markets in Emerging Markets Average Duration of Bull Markets in Developed Markets in Emerging Markets 3. Returns in a bull market were substantially more than losses in a bear market Average Market Decline in Developed Markets in Emerging Markets -30% -32% Average Market Increase 91% 313% in Developed Markets in Emerging Markets *Data for Emerging Markets from 1990, Data for Developed Markets from 1981 Developed markets represented by the MSCI World Index. Emerging markets represented by the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. Performance in local currency as at 28/06/2019. Past performance is no guarantee of future performance. An index is unmanaged and one cannot invest directly in an index. By trying to guess exactly when to invest, you may miss out on some falls, but could also miss some potential rises. Missed opportunities like these can take a bite out of returns. DON'T MISS OUT ON A MARKET RECOVERY It can be difficult to take a long-term perspective during volatile markets with daily injections of bad news. If you develop the ability to focus on the long-term, you'll have mastered the primary approach to living with volatility's downside. By speaking to a financial adviser, you can discuss your investment options and find a solution that's right for you Franklin Templeton Investments offer a choice of funds that invest across different market sectors, geographical areas and asset classes. VIEW OUR INVESTMENT STRATEGIES INVESTOR EDUCATION Main Topics Introduction to Mutual Funds What is an ETF? Behavioural Finance Power of Perseverance When is the best time to invest? Market Volatility Watching From the Sidelines Glossary Templeton Maxims A Guide to Hedged Share Classes MORE ON VOLATILITY Power of Perseverance Learn more Watching from the sidelines may cost you Learn more Market Volatility Learn more Important Information A bull market is defined as a 20% rise in the MSCI World Index and a bear market is defined as a 20% fall in the MSCI World Index after 2 months. Source: Franklin Templeton Investments and Ned Davis Research, in GBP as at 28/06/2019. This document is intended to be of general interest only and does not constitute legal or tax advice nor is it an offer for shares or invitation to apply for shares of any of the Franklin Templeton Investments' fund ranges. Nothing in this document should be construed as investment advice. Franklin Templeton Investments have exercised professional care and diligence in the collection of information in this document. However, data from third party sources may have been used in its preparation and Franklin Templeton Investments has not independently verified, validated or audited such data. Opinions expressed are the author's at publication date and they are subject to change without prior notice. Any research and analysis contained in this document has been procured by Franklin Templeton Investments for its own purposes and is provided to you only incidentally. Franklin Templeton Investments shall not be liable to any user of this document or to any other person or entity for the inaccuracy of information or any errors or omissions in its contents, regardless of the cause of such inaccuracy, error or omission. References to indices are made for comparative purposes only and are provided to represent the investment environment existing during the time periods shown. An index is unmanaged and one cannot invest directly in an index. The performance of the index does not include the deduction of expenses and does not represent the performance of any Franklin Templeton fund. Investments entail risks. The value of investments and any income received from them can go down as well as up, and investors may not get back the full amount invested. Past performance is not an indicator, nor a guarantee of future performance. For more information please contact: Franklin Templeton Investments, Cannon Place, 78 Cannon Street, London, EC4N 6HL. Phone: 0800 305 306, Fax: 020 7073 8701 E-Mail: enquiries@franklintempleton.co.uk. Issued by Franklin Templeton Investment Management Limited. Investments entail risks, the value of investments can go down as well as up and investors should be aware they might not get back the full value invested. United Kingdom Individual Investor This website is intended for residents of United Kingdom. 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