GoalTeller

Chart of the Week

Some Number Crunching on How December and January Stack Up in Terms of Returns Over the Past 20 Years

December is positive 13 times out of 20.
January is negative 13 times out of 20.
Out of 10 times when December is positive, January is negative.
The period of October–December is much better most of the time compared to the January–March quarter.

Yearly Returns Data

Source: NSE/BSE Bhav Copy

Recap and Outlook

Markets recovered late in the week; however, the big news of a bad GDP growth could impact sentiments in the coming week.
Trump has warned BRIC nations about de-dollarisation.
Our strategy continues to be: “Keep nibbling between broadly 23k and 25k of the Nifty—accelerate below 23k and slow down above 25k, and STOP above 25.5k if at all it comes to that.”
A break below 22.5k/23k Nifty could open the floodgates to possibly 20k levels, which is a big worry.
NBFCs have been one big underperforming sector as bad loans pile up.
With worries of inflation and global tensions (especially in December), the RBI might want to wait until January for cutting rates (this however seems inevitable now).
As markets look dicey, we are tilting towards active funds, especially in mid and small-cap space for the immediate future.

Social Media Post of the Week

70% of our users don’t meet their retirement goals 😲 – My talk at the Mint Summit last week where I highlight some of these concerns

LinkedIn Post

70% of Our Users on GoalTeller Don't Meet Their Retirement Goals

FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early): Another 10% market fall, and many FIRE plans might be extinguished. FIRE is much more complex than what we see or hear on social media.

I had the opportunity to speak about these subjects at the Mint Money Festival last week. Here are some key takeaways:

Retirement Planning:

Most individuals prioritise goals like buying a home, cars, education, or marriage over retirement. While these are important, careful planning can help balance these aspirations.
Delaying discretionary goals or reducing their scale can ensure a more secure retirement.

FIRE Pitfalls:

FIRE often falters because of flawed assumptions, particularly linear return projections.
Life rarely follows a straight line; unforeseen expenses or market downturns can derail even the best plans.
Remember, "An empty mind is the devil's workshop"—planning for the unexpected is key to financial freedom.

Full post

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. Please consult with a professional advisor before making any financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

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