As someone who works in the personal finance space, I often get calls from friends and clients asking a simple question:
“Where should I invest right now?”
Over the years, I’ve realised that most of these conversations fall into two broad patterns.
The FOMO Investors
Whenever the Sensex and Nifty start making headlines—new highs, record closes, expert panels on TV—the phone starts ringing. These are mostly new investors, but even experienced ones aren’t immune. Continuous news coverage creates a sense of urgency, almost a fear that if they don’t invest now, they might miss out forever.
The irony is well known but rarely acknowledged: a large number of new investors enter the market when it is close to its peak. The very reason that attracted them—strong past returns—often leads to disappointment in the following years, when markets consolidate, stagnate, or correct.
The “Great Bargain” Hunters
The second category is more nuanced. These investors have spent time in equity markets. They don’t call when markets are euphoric; they call when a stock—or a set of stocks—is trading near its 52-week low or even an all-time low.
By the time they call, they’ve usually already made up their mind. They are not looking for a stock-picking expert; they are looking for validation. The narrative sounds convincing: “The stock is down 60%, how much more can it fall?”
What often gets missed is the more important question—why is the market discounting the stock?
Is the issue temporary, or has the business itself changed?
Have government policies turned unfavourable?
Has consumer behaviour shifted permanently?
Or has the industry moved on altogether?
The Common Thread
Both approaches—chasing highs or hunting lows—are driven primarily by price action, not by business fundamentals or long-term strategy. And more often than not, both lead to discomfort, especially in the short run.
A cheap ticket doesn’t guarantee the train is headed to your destination.
As the Year Ends, a Thought for the New One
As we step into a new year, it may be worth resisting the urge to predict market tops, bottoms, or the next “sure-shot” stock. Markets will continue to move—sometimes sharply, sometimes sideways. Headlines will keep changing. Noise is guaranteed.
What has consistently worked, across market cycles, is discipline.
Instead of trying to time the perfect entry, consider committing to a simple habit:
investing month after month, across market conditions, aligned with your goals and risk capacity.
Consistency may not sound exciting, but over time, it often proves far more rewarding than conviction built on headlines or price charts.
Sometimes, the smartest journey isn’t about finding the cheapest ticket—it’s about choosing the right train and staying on it patiently.
A well-thought-out investment journey rarely needs dramatic decisions—just steady direction and periodic course correction.
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