Should I sell my Fundsmith investment fund shares now or leave it & diversify into another fund?

Question

Wondering where to invest your money? Discover the range of factors and questions to take into account in order to make the right decision. Learn more here.

Holly Mackay · Accepted Answer

Hi Peter,

That’s a hard one.

You’re displaying a typical behavioural finance conundrum - we hate loss twice as much as we like gains!

I think the questions you need to ask yourself are:
Do I need the money or am I still investing for the long term (i.e. at least 5 years)?
Everything could go down - gawd knows what the UK or global economies will do over the short-term quite frankly!

But have you seen anything to make you think that Terry Smith has lost his mojo?

Every dog has its day and styles come and go. But have you seen anything in particular to make you think that Fundsmith is looking less appealing?
If not - why sell now?

You could look at the top 10 holdings in this fund and compare them to other funds you hold?

Are they all the same? Are you properly diversified? If you are doing regular top-ups is this going into a range of regions and styles?

If it’s all going to Fundsmith then you are very exposed to one group and set of individuals.

It’s not an all or nothing decision
Maybe split the top-ups amongst a handful of funds so you have a bit more diversification?

This will be easier to do on an investment platform and not trying to go direct to fund managers.

Sorry - I’ve replied with questions not a direct answer. But I can’t read the future. What I can do is help suggest that you minimise your risk, and that will come with a broader spread of funds and regions.

Hope that helps a bit,
Holly