Hi There,
I know that Independent Financial Advisors have bad reputation among you guys but it really depends on that particular Advisor. IFA in a way is a sales kind of job thats why reputable IFA companies can easily hire an individual as long as they are able to sell something (even though it may mean that they dont really have solid foundation or knowledge in the Finance and Economics Sector). There are hundreds of plans, products and funds in the market, in the end it sums up to that particular advisor and how has he done his analysis. Obviously, if you are a lazy one you can just ask your seniors about what should he recommend to a client and not real know about the very realistic details (informations such as why is reason this fund exists, etc. and it all links back to our society and general economics; not just some vague informations but realistic informations).
My recommendations is:
1) Don't surrender early (unless you are very keen on doing so) , as a golden rule the Equity market always goes up even though it might fluctuate and even crash but remember that when you signed the plan it was suppose to be a long term investment. It is very common that some funds perform bad in the beginning but eventually rise up (Obviously this is very vague because I dont know what funds you subscribed to)
2) The better choice would be to pick a different funds ( I assume you dont want any find advice from your IFA or he/she is just not there to support your choices). Anyways, since ur plan is tied up for the next 10 years. The best performing sector is as follows:
-Biotech & healthcare sector: After the 2nd world war,the baby boom spiked up the world population and at this moment those babies are turning old (60-80 years old), so a large chunk of money is going in the medical and healthcare
sector.
(Franklin Templeton Investments, Hong Kong [look for biotechnology])
(PARVEST EQUITY WORLD HEALTH CARE - BNP Paribas Investment Partners Hong Kong)
the above is just 2 of the many fund houses that offers funds in the biotechnology sector. You may have a look at the informations and decide for yourself but just because one certain fund is doing bad now doesnt mean it will do bad in the future. Look for the bigger picture and see for it in the non commercial & economic side. But ofcourse if a fund is doing good doesnt mean it will always do good.
-ASEAN countries: China is not china it was a decade ago. IF you go to H&M or ZARA, they no longer say made in china but it says made in Indonesia, or thailand or vietnam or india etc. Its because these countries are the next manufacturing hub. And realistically speaking doesnt matter what generation or which year you were born whether the 1800s or 1900s , things will be manufactured just because people need it and population is increasing with time so more demand for manufacturing things. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trans-Pacific_Partnership) - this is the very latest information have a read and you will understand why is this sector going to boom.
you can find funds for these countries or sectors or whatever it relates to them in any fund houses (you can just go to the franklin templeton or bnp paripas IP fund houses that I mentioned above or any other fund houses and choose the sectors with these countries by urself and see the performances.
-Australia- Well, australia is part of the Trans-Pacific Partnership and it will also gain from it but if you are planning to stick with your saving plans for only few years more , then you might consider investing in funds in Australian Dollar (BECAUSE IT IS DAMN CHEAP RIGHT NOW) and also if you might find it bit dodgy (your personal opinion) that you would invest in a western country rather then an Asian country then Australia it , u can look for funds in australian dollars or australia. (BTW USA might not be the best one to invest other then in Biotechnology & healtcare {80% of it is in USA}).
Anyways hope this information helps,
<snip> , so if you feel like my advice is wrong (google is your friend).
Not all IFA are bad. Just that most of them are.
SO next time if someone tries to sell you something, make sure that person is really passionate about what he is selling.
Have a good day.