"This is a good time to invest" says one of world's best investors

Howard Marks is one of the world's best investors and he has said that "this is a good time to invest". Time to buy?

| More on:
a woman

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Howard Marks is one of the world's best and wisest investors in my opinion. He has told investors that "this is a good time to invest".

Who is Howard Marks? He is the co-founder and co-chairman of Oaktree Capital Management which specialises in alternative asset management.

He regularly shares his thoughts via memos on the website.

In a recent message to clients, as reported by the AFR, he said that "Even though there's no way to say the bottom is at hand, the conditions that make bargains available certainly are materialising. Given the price drops and selling we've seen so far, I believe this is a good time to invest, although, of course, it may prove not to have been the best time.

"No one can argue that you should spend all your money today, but equally, no-one can argue that you shouldn't spend any.

"Is there really an argument for not investing at all? In my opinion, the fact that we're not necessarily at the bottom isn't such an argument."

True market capitulations and the market bottom only happens when there's no optimism at all, according to Mr Marks. However, he pointed to the fact that the market has rallied several times over the past month.

Oaktree itself has already been showing caution in recent times with expectations of being rewarded during a dislocation.

Whilst the coronavirus has caused severe problems for several countries so far, and a terrible death toll, there are signs that Asian countries and Italy are getting the outbreak under control, compared to a few weeks ago.

Investors seem to be taking the same mentality, perhaps sensing the worst isn't that far off. The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is up another 2.6% today and it's up 12.75% since the low on Monday.

Various shares have jumped today. The Afterpay Ltd (ASX: APT) share price is up another 27.3%. The EML Payments Ltd (ASX: EML) share price is up 20%. The Nearmap Ltd (ASX: NEA) share price is up 18.6%.

Tristan Harrison has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of Emerchants Limited. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended Nearmap Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of AFTERPAY T FPO. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Emerchants Limited. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Coronavirus News

Man with his hand on his face looking at a falling share price chart on a tablet.
Share Market News

ASX 200 stocks dive 2.4% in worst trading day since Ukraine crisis hit

It's not a good start to the week for the market.

Read more »

A woman looks nervous and uncertain holding a hand to her chin while looking at a paper cut out of a plane that she's holding in her other hand. representing the falling Air New Zealand share price today
Travel Shares

Borders just reopened so why is the Flight Centre (ASX:FLT) share price falling today?

Experts believe it may take several years for tourism levels to rebound to pre-pandemic numbers.

Read more »

A worker in hi vis gear holds his hand up saying no.
Coronavirus News

Own BHP (ASX:BHP) shares? Here's how the ASX 200 miner is battling COVID

Mining unions have not generally supported mandatory vaccinations.

Read more »

Female worker sitting desk with head in hand and looking fed up
Coronavirus News

Here's what Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) boss says is 'causing some challenges' right now

The Omicron variant is spreading in Western Australia.

Read more »

A man wearing a mask punches the air with joy after getting a negative COVID result on a rapid antigen test.
Coronavirus News

Why are ASX COVID test shares climbing today?

COVID-19 tests are in focus again today.

Read more »

a girl stands in an apple orchard holding two red apples in raised arms with a happy, celebratory look on her face with a large smile and a pretty country background to the picture.
Economy

CBA reveals the Australian economy's leading state amid COVID surge

The states and territories have all been impacted by the pandemic.

Read more »

Rapid Antigen Test taking place.
Share Market News

Why is Ellume hitting headlines today?

Brisbane-based diagnostics developer Ellume is back in the headlines.

Read more »

A woman looks quizzical as she looks at a graph of the share market.
Share Market News

Inghams (ASX:ING) share price sinks as Omicron bites

Inghams shares are down as COVID hurts its operations.

Read more »