Heavy falls on the stock exchange?

[Pete/London]

There is already two companies starting exploration drilling offshore in the falklands but you can expect a long wait before anything meaningful happens. Due to the fact that its uncharted territory down there in as much it such extreme conditions etc. Add the fact the argentinians want to restrict shipping in the waters between them and the islands. There will be a lot of political manouvering to come.

REgards the stock markets, I have a stocks and shares ISA that I invest in every month that is to be my retirement fund. But as I'm only 35 and have hopefully only about 20yr left to work (thats the plan anyway) a falling market is good for long term investors. Cheaper stocks mean more for your money and so I'll have more shares when the market starts to recover. Other than that I try to ignore it because its still not nice seeing your investments falling!

I hope the plans for 2 new aircraft carriers are not shelved as they could be needed, as for you saying a falling market is good for long term investors, only if your in the market to buy, no good if your holding shares.

[subseastu]

I hope the plans for 2 new aircraft carriers are not shelved as they could be needed, as for you saying a falling market is good for long term investors, only if your in the market to buy, no good if your holding shares.

I too hope the carriers aren't shelved, we really do need new tonnage in the RN, but there will be serious cuts in budgets for all goverment areas over the next few years. We'll have to wait and see.

Agree with that, this market is only a problem if your coming up to retirement and looking to start pulling on your investments as an income. At the end of the day everything involves risk and its all about timing. I'm in quite aggressive stocks at the mo but about 5yrs before retirement (depending on market conditions of course) I'll be shifting into cautious managed funds that are alot more stable but obviously returns are lower.