4 Investment Truths Every Beginner Must Know Before Starting

The quick scan: Monday delivered a triumphant comeback story that had investors feeling like they'd just watched their favourite underdog team score in overtime. Markets surged across the board as weekend fears about Middle East escalation melted away faster than ice cream on hot pavement.

• S&P 500: Jumped 0.96% to close at 6,025.17, bouncing back with the enthusiasm of a golden retriever who just spotted a tennis ball after Iran's restrained response calmed nerves
• Dow Jones: Climbed 0.89% to 42,581.78, showing that blue chips can still dance when the music's right, even if their moves are more waltz than breakdancing
• NASDAQ: Surged 0.94% to 19,630.98, with tech stocks shaking off their weekend jitters like a wet dog emerging from an unexpected bath

What's driving it: Iran's measured missile response to US strikes turned out to be more diplomatic theater than actual escalation, sending oil prices tumbling 7% as traders realized the Strait of Hormuz wasn't about to become a battleground. Fed Governor Michelle Bowman's hints about a potential July rate cut added extra fuel to the rally, giving investors permission to stop hiding under their desks and start buying again.

Bottom line: Monday proved that sometimes the market's biggest enemy is its own imagination running wild over the weekend. With geopolitical tensions cooling and rate cut hopes warming up, investors rediscovered their appetite for risk faster than you can say "false alarm."

4 Investment Truths Every Beginner Needs to Know (Before They Lose Their Shirt)

The scoop: A veteran investor with 20 years of experience is sharing the hard-earned lessons he wishes someone had told him when he started. After making his first investment in Suntec REIT back in 2005, he's learned that successful investing involves more than just reading books and following tips—it requires understanding some uncomfortable realities about how markets actually work.

His four key insights cut through the usual investment fluff: volatility isn't your enemy (it's actually your friend), reading about investing isn't the same as actually doing it, mistakes are inevitable and valuable, and patience isn't just a virtue—it's a requirement. These aren't the sexy tips you see on social media, but they're the ones that actually matter when your real money is on the line.

The biggest revelation? Most beginners think they can shortcut their way to success by consuming more information, but the real learning happens when you put actual money at risk and deal with the emotions that come with watching your investments fluctuate.

Actionable takeaways:

• Embrace volatility as opportunity: When quality stocks drop for no fundamental reason, that's your chance to buy at a discount while others are selling in panic—view market swings as shopping opportunities, not disasters.

• Start investing while you're learning: Reading investment books is great, but complement that knowledge with hands-on experience using real money—even small amounts teach you lessons no book can.

• Keep a mistake journal: Document your investment errors and the emotions behind them to avoid repeating the same costly mistakes—learning from your failures is cheaper than ignoring them.

• Develop your circle of competence: Focus on industries or sectors you understand well, then gradually expand your knowledge rather than trying to become an expert in everything at once.

• Give yourself time to grow: Successful investing is a marathon, not a sprint—even Warren Buffett built his wealth slowly and steadily over decades, not months.