Great time for new investments

Market confidence has fallen, but that’s good news for those with the means to invest.

A new quarterly survey shows that confidence has fallen to the worst level in more than four years, thanks to the global financial crisis.

The Investment and Financial Services Association/CoreData index of investor sentiment fell 9.9 per cent to -22.3 points in the first quarter of 2009, compared to a negative 20.3 point reading in the final quarter of 2008.

The index was published on March 26, 2009, using data compiled since the final quarter of 2004. In that quarter, the index reading was a positive 17.5 points. "Since early 2008, the global financial crisis has created intense volatility in investment markets and it is now flowing onto the real economy," IFSA chief executive Richard Gilbert said in a statement.

At the end of 2007, the index was up 14.4 points but it began moving into negative territory in early 2008 and has remained negative ever since. Even with investor confidence falling for the last five quarters, there are many investors out there with the opinion that it’s a good time to buy new investments at reduced prices, or top up existing investments, which are helping to average down entry prices for assets purchased in recent years.

If you want to know where the turn in 2009, then the upcoming Trading & Investing Seminars and Expo might help.

Showing in Brisbane from June 12 to 13, in Melbourne from October 2 to 3 and in Sydney from October 30 -31 October, the event will bring together some of the most respected investment experts from Australia and around the world, providing a highly valuable and timely educational opportunity to help restore investor confidence.

Whether you’re an experienced investor or an enthusiastic newcomer keen to take more control of your financial future, continually growing your knowledge base will be critical to the success of any financial plan, especially in periods of uncertainty.

For just $15 a ticket, the Expo will provide visitors with direct access to trusted, reliable experts, from whom they can gather all the impartial information, products and services they need to be able to develop more informed investment and trading strategies.

According to event director, Jason Humphris, it’s going to be an insightful show – on many levels.

"Some people inherit money, however, for most of us building wealth for the future is about astute, well-researched investment, backed by sound advice – and this is on tap at the Trading & Investing Expo."