In this interview with TechBullion, Malcolm Jeter, an experienced investor, provides advice for navigating financial markets. We’re thrilled to have him share his experience and provide our readers with tips on how to invest smarter.
Please tell us more about yourself.
My name is Malcolm Jeter, and I recently joined Accenture Strategy. In my short time here, I’ve met many very talented people and gained exposure within many industries. Prior to joining Accenture, I held many positions in finance and consulting. I leverage my experience with mergers and acquisitions, wealth management, and economics to strategically invest in equities, commodities, real estate, and more.
Many people know you for your investing advice and overall finance background. Why did you make the switch to consulting?
Great question. I wouldn’t say I switched to consulting; instead, I’ve aligned myself to the industry, given the current needs of the economy and personal development reasons. I’m still monitoring the markets daily, and I keep up-to-date with the latest financial news. However, I enjoy the flexibility that consulting offers. I still consider myself new to my career despite having experience in many fields, and I want to explore different industries before somewhat specializing in one particular space. As the needs of the business world constantly evolve, we must remain flexible and agile with the skills we bring to the table. While I love finance, it doesn’t yield the best opportunities for me in its current state.
What are some common mistakes people make when investing?
Haha, you’re taking me back to the finance side of things. The three common mistakes I see people make are a need for more research, emotional decision-making, and needing to understand risk tolerance correctly. When I say lack of research, I mean most people need help understanding what they are getting into. For example, most people who buy company shares have never scanned through a Form 10-K. Many people I’ve mentored have tried day trading, which has failed almost every time. There are too many factors in the market that prevent most people from trading stocks short-term with continued success. That said, there are successful day traders, but statistics show they are not the majority.
In terms of emotional decision-making, many people act out of impulse. When you shop and see a display of discounted items, the attractive prices create a sense of urgency that may lead you to purchase impulsively. The same thing happens in the market all of the time. People quickly make decisions without taking the time to think it through. When it comes to understanding risk tolerance, many people only grasp how much they can handle once it’s too late. It’s generally understood that younger people have a much higher risk tolerance than their elders. The quick explanation is that the older you are, the more obligations you have. So many times, people may start investing, see red numbers in their portfolio, freak out, and then exit the trade without allowing for a potential upside. Remember, investments don’t usually increase in value without seeing some downturn.
If you’re passionate about finance, why do you prefer consulting?
Your flexibility with personal finance is much greater than working in the field. Having worked in corporate finance and investment banking before, I appreciate the complete control I have over my personal investments. Think of photography, working for a client, versus working on projects you genuinely enjoy. While I love finance, I enjoy it more on my terms. I prefer working in consulting because of the kind of projects you get to join and the clients that you meet. Many of my mentors have encouraged me to learn multiple skills and not limit myself to one specialty.
Do you have any more advice to share with our readers?
Simply put, spend your money wisely, save as much as possible, invest in a way that hedges against inflation, and take more risks. Don’t aimlessly go out and invest, but take your time and find the options that work best for you. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to making money, so figure out your style and rock with it.
