Neil Birrell: Keep your eye on the horizon - if you can

clock • 3 min read

Neil Birrell considers the problem of focusing on the long term while considering the short term.

At the moment it is very easy to get drawn into focusing on the very short-term propects for economies and markets. There is so much information to consider and not much else to do other than just that. Firstly, the daily data of the number of new cases of the Covid-19 virus and the number of deaths that are resulting from it make improving, but grim, reading. Aside from the human tragedy of the scale of the problem unfolding in places such as Brazil, it is fears of a second spike in the virus in important economies; the US and Eurozone, being the two key ones, that are the worry. It is ...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Investment

How quality investing behaves through the cycle

How quality investing behaves through the cycle

Resilience when it matters more

Joseph Stephens and Laura Neill
clock 14 September 2026 • 4 min read
Why portfolios need to evolve, not revolve when it comes to client outcomes

Why portfolios need to evolve, not revolve when it comes to client outcomes

'As market structures evolve, so must portfolio construction'

Ed Senior
clock 11 September 2026 • 4 min read
What does 'quality' investing actually mean?

What does 'quality' investing actually mean?

Why persistence is the real test

Joseph Stephens and Laura Neill
clock 11 September 2026 • 4 min read