Time ticking on share prices?

With the investment market still in freefall those with sufficient funds are pondering when the best time to buy shares will be.

Split views have been seen this week in City A.M.

Gary Mairs of private equity company Folio Partners stated the following:

"I think that now is a good time to start buying shares. It might not be the cheapest price you will get, but if you hold out waiting for the bottom price, you'll never get it. As for the current market instability we're facing, it might affect the price of your trade short term, but if you're investing for the long term - the only way you should be investing - you'll make a good profit."

Jo Blayney of Blayney Personal Banking Recruiters takes as slightly different approach:

"I don't think now is a good time to buy. The economic downturn is factored into share prices, and the end of the crisis is not yet in sight. What we are seeing right now is banks' share prices falling, but we've yet to see the true impact on the rest of the economy. Companies which rely on consumer spending are only just beginning to fall, and that is when share prices will really drop. There's a way to go yet."

And finally, Robert Trzyna of DTZ Property Advisors predicts a medium of the two, stating:

"It's not the best time to buy. Although the market has dropped significantly, I personally think the equities market still has a long way to fall, and shares will get cheaper. If you do get into buying shares, you'll probably see losses before you see gains. I'm not expecting to see a recovery anytime soon. That said, you can never know exactly when it's a good time to buy, until it's too late."

Some interesting points are thrown up by this discussion, but the underlying factor remains, there are opportunities arising but those investing in the short term are likely to suffer the rocky road ahead