Investing legend Warren Buffett, has often highlighted the benefits of sitting on a large pile of cash.
Buffett, via his company Berkshire Hathaway, often holds billions in cash simply to provide the optionality of seizing opportunities when they present themselves.
Monday's nasty fall in the S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) appears to have been short lived, with the index rebounding on Tuesday. While there is no telling whether a market crash is imminent or not, history suggests that sooner or later there will be a major correction.
Downside risks for the ASX appear to be on the mind of some of Australia's top investors
The most recent investment update from WAM Capital Limited (ASX: WAM) reports that the manager increased fixed interest and cash holdings within the portfolio from 26% to 32% between July and August.
Meanwhile, Magellan Financial Group Ltd's (ASX: MFG) flagship Global Fund is holding 16% of its $8 billion portfolio in cash.
Platinum Asset Management Limited (ASX: PTM) has also been increasing cash weightings. Its $10.5 billion flagship International Fund elevated its net cash position to 19.4% from 17.5% month on month.
When the market gets overheated, smart investors hold more cash
Warren Buffett famously returned cash to his partners in the late 1960's when he became concerned that he could no longer find bargain stocks in an overpriced market.
While Australian fund managers might not be at that point, based on cash weightings, there would appear to be increased nervousness about the lack of value and risks in the global economy.
Here are 3 reasons why now could be the time to increase your cash position
- The US Federal Reserve is expected to begin raising rates later this year and this event needs to be factored into your future outlook for economies and stock markets around the globe. Many believe that quantitative easing has artificially raised the price of equities and worry that a rate rise could unravel this artificial status quo.
- August reporting season was uninspiring with many companies hesitant on providing guidance for the current financial year.
- While Brexit was unsettling, the market has already fully recovered from those jitters which means it has been quite some time since the market really let off some steam. It's rare for the market to continually move up without consolidating. The longer this bull market continues, the greater the chance that a better buying opportunity will be just around the corner.
While timing the market is difficult and some investors reasonably argue that you shouldn't even bother trying, having some cash to deploy when the share market falls can be very rewarding.
Just how much cash to hold is up to the individual, however, following the lead of other top investors – like the three outlined above – could be a sensible approach.
