The Financial Markets Authority has told hundreds of thousands of new Kiwi investors they need to “do their homework” and understand the risks of investing in financial markets.
The warning is part of World Investor Week and follows rapid growth in people investing through online platforms after the March slump when covid panic gripped markets around the world.
In New Zealand, local platforms report an estimated 120,000 Kiwis joined since the first covid-19 lockdown. This means an estimated total of more than 250,000 are using Sharesies, Hatch and InvestNow, with three-quarters of users aged 25-to-44.
The FMA said it has been engaging with each of the platform operators to understand how they are helping this new wave of investors understand the fundamentals of investing and navigate the landscape.
Poor financial literacy has been an issue for successive administrations. A major plank of the 2010 reforms was to make investing easier to understand so people could better judge the risk of an investment against the return on offer.
Some commentators have indicated online investing as a potential trouble area because platform users are often less informed about the functions and regulations of financial markets.
Easy come, easy go
Some point to Sky Network Television and Cannasouth as examples of stocks that retail investors bid higher ahead of a result for no clear reason, only to drop again when their earnings were in line with professional investors' expectations.
“While DIY investing can be great way to experiment and learn with a small amount, you need to do your homework before you buy or sell,” said Gillian Boyes, the FMA’s investor capability manager.
“Most importantly, ensure you get that information from reputable and independent sources, rather than following the herd on social media platforms, or listening to those with vested interests.”
Many users of NZX investor social media groups posted enthusiastically about the price of Sky TV surging on its result. Many posts were made in jest, but some were serious and may have contributed to retail investors buying the stock without understand its financial position.
The press release from the FMA doesn’t directly address these concerns, but hints at the problem of platform investors being easily influenced by market hype and not paying attention to fundamentals.
“A smart investor does proper research, takes into account fees, understands that risk exists in all investments, and recognises the benefit of diversified investment that fits their long-term goals,” Boyes said in the release.
The FMA has commissioned Mary Holm, a well-known financial commentator and former FMA board member, to create a beginners’ guide to investing that debunks eight common myths and misconceptions.
