I had something else planned to write today.
Truth be told, it's already written, but I'll send it another time.
(For once, I have that feeling I never had at school of actually being ahead on my homework!)
Instead, I talked the team into letting me do something different.
See, tomorrow at 3pm AEST, I'm going to be hosting a live YouTube chat.
(Spoiler alert: I'm going to be giving you the heads-up on how I'm thinking about this market, and two companies I'm going to be buying shares in – before I do it!)
Different, in the sense that it's not an article like this.
And different in the sense that I've never done one of these on YouTube before and, well… either it's going to be great, or it's going to all fall in a heap and be car crash TV!
No, I'm not worried about the content.
It's my ability to smoothly host a YouTube Live that I'm most worried about.
So, I'd like you to tune in for the content.
But if you'd prefer, just tune in to watch me walk the YouTube tightrope without a net!
(Maybe both?)
But I'm getting ahead of myself.
The reason I wanted to do this was two-fold:
First, the market has been all over the place.
I know, from the questions we get from all sources (members, readers, podcast listeners), that there's a general sense of unease, but also that a lot of people have questions.
And I figure a live chat, including Q&A, is a great way to both get your questions and to share the answers with as many people as possible.
Second, come inside the tent for a minute. Investors are funny people. Yes, I'm including myself in that group.
But right now, funny in a particular way.
See, when share prices are riding high, everyone wants to be at the party.
And when they're low, or falling, or there's uncertainty… well, it can feel like we only have tumbleweeds for company.
Which is both understandable… and a shame.
Because I reckon the money is made in the buying and the holding.
And the best time to buy?
When shares are cheap, relative to the future prospects of the business.
You know when Afterpay-mania was at its peak?
When the share price was at all-time highs.
You probably know that was a while ago… and the ride has been painful, since.
It's the same for the 'hot stocks' in any category.
But not just them.
Cochlear Limited (ASX: COH) fell from $80-odd to about $55 a few years back when it did a product recall, as investors abandoned ship.
Now?
They're selling for $215 a piece.
Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) fell from $90 to $57 during the COVID crash.
They're now $97 each.
My point?
The time to buy – to get real value – is when others aren't.
When the value of the business' future profits is being ignored by investors.
Times like, well, perhaps now.
The 'inside the tent' bit?
We have far more people interested in our services when the market is running hot than when it's not.
Which is… counterproductive.
Yes, for us, obviously.
But also for them.
If I'm right, and the future is bright for democratic capitalism (and for the ASX and many, perhaps most, of the companies listed on our bourse), then this is the time you want to be investing.
Not because I know it's the bottom.
Not because shares can't fall further.
But because if the future is brighter than the present, waiting would, on average, seem counterproductive, no?
Anyway… enough of that, for now, at least.
Bottom line: If you want to hear my thoughts on investing and the markets…
If you want to ask me a question (or just hear my answers to others' questions)…
If you want to know the next two companies I'm going to buy shares in (yes, before I do it)…
Then I hope you'll tune in to the video.
And if I convince you that now is a good time, then I'll also have a link to a very good price to join one of the services I run, Motley Fool Share Advisor.
(But no pressure. No obligation. And I won't be "selling". I'll just give you the link at the end if you want to get started. If not, or if you want to do it yourself, that's cool, too!)
Some of you reading this are already members. Thank you. I hope you'll join us. And if you're not? I hope you'll join us, too.
(Are you there tree people? I'm singing for you, too! Kids, ask your parents about that reference.)
So clear your diaries for 3pm AEST tomorrow.
And use this link to RSVP so we can send you the YouTube Live link (it'll come through about an hour before we kick off).
See you there!
Fool on!
