Playing the markets is back in vogue, say summit organisers

Now that our merchant classes are on the up again and there’s a bit more cash floating about, it appears that playing the markets is back in vogue.

David McWilliams is among a coterie of economic and market soothsayers scheduled to talk on Saturday, May 16th, at an “investment summit” at the Stillorgan Park hotel.

It is being staged by the Institute of Investing & Financial Trading (IIFT), which expects about 200 people to show up.

McWilliams will give his opinions on the euro and the possible impact of a Grexit, while veteran investor Stephen Cloonan, a Warren Buffett fan, will relay his experiences from the recent Berkshire Hathaway meeting in Omaha.

The IIFT is a company that specialises in events and courses to educate the masses about investment strategy, co-founded by former Barclays trader Peter Brown, who will also speak at the summit.

Its directors include Croke Park boss Peter McKenna and the former Shelbourne Markets executive John McGlade.

According to McGlade: “With interest rates so puny, people are wondering how to get a decent return but they’re also very nervous of risk. Events like these show people there are asset classes giving good returns, and that ordinary people can learn how to go about getting them.”

Although in the immortal words of Fr Dougal – careful now.