Planning for Retirement: Navigating Chaos with a Clear Plan
Article Four - 28 April 2025
“You were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!” – one of my favourite lines from a film. A classic British comedy caper, the original 1969 version of The Italian Job starred Michael Caine. If you’ve seen it, you might remember the final shot: Caine crawling towards a stack of gold bars at the back of a coach teetering on the edge of a cliff, delivering the closing line, “Hang on a minute, lads – I’ve got a great idea”.
The picture is not the shot I had wanted to use (copyright issues), the one showing the bullion van in a chaotic shot with the three Minis hidden while the gang waits to unload the gold from the van into the cars. They then take off on a madcap ride through the city – over stairs and rooftops, through streets and sewers – eventually heading to the Alps for that iconic final scene.
Nor is the shot even in Italy! For the purposes of this story, the picture is a bird’s-eye view from the top of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, with a stream of cars fighting for space in a somewhat chaotic scene. Paris, because that’s another stop on my train from London to Rome later this year. And chaos, because that’s what we sometimes witness in financial markets. While it’s not my intention to downplay the developments we’ve seen this year, maintaining perspective is important. It helps us look beyond the “noise” – the constant stream of financial data and news, whether economic or geopolitical – that can distract investors from underlying share values and genuine market trends.
A recent study by Russell Investments discusses investor emotions. Over the years, the world has seen many conflicts and crises that have tested investors when markets have fallen. The study found that advisors play a key role in helping their clients weather extreme periods of volatility with a well-constructed portfolio. In times of uncertainty, working with clients to stick with, and stay focussed on, their planned strategy is vital.
Where the markets will finish this year is another story. While the journey may be volatile, with the right support, a professional investment advisor can be a wise and canny guide.
Sue Richards
Investment Advisor
+64 27 339 1167
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Information and Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only. It does not take into account your investment needs or personal circumstances and so is not intended to be viewed as investment or financial advice. Should you require financial advice you should always speak to your Financial Adviser. This article has been prepared from published information and other sources believed to be reliable, accurate and complete at the time of preparation. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy neither JMI Wealth, nor any person involved in this publication, accept any liability for any errors or omission, nor accepts liability for loss or damage as a result of any reliance on the information presented.