Investor Shankar Sharma has sparked a debate on social media with his unconventional investment advice, urging individuals to steer clear of the stock market. His insights, shared on X (formerly Twitter), have garnered widespread attention, particularly amid volatile market conditions.
Sharma revealed that for the past 35 years, he has been advising his sister and brother-in-law—who live in a small town—to avoid stock investments. Instead, he recommended a simple yet effective portfolio: 40% in fixed deposits (FDs), 30% in gold, and 30% in raw land located about 25 kilometers from town. According to him, this strategy has allowed them to remain financially secure, liquid, and stress-free.
My sis & bro in law live in a small town. Have pestered me for 35 years ” Tell us where/ how to invest in stocks/ MFs”. My Std reply: ” Stay away. This isn’t for folks like y’all. Put 40% in good FDs, 30% in Gold. 30% in raw land 25 kms out of town”.
Today, they are stress-free,…— Shankar Sharma (@1shankarsharma) March 12, 2025
Sharing their success, Sharma wrote, “Today, they are stress-free, liquid, and wealthy beyond dreams. Without knowing what’s RBI, who’s Guv, what the US Fed, what’s debt/GDP, what’s trade wars.”
When an X user argued that trading could also lead to immense wealth, Sharma responded by highlighting the role of luck in market success. He noted that only a handful of people—fewer than 50 to 70 individuals over 35 years—had made serious money in the stock market. “We were lucky, that’s all,” he admitted.
In a separate post, he emphasized the difficulty of sustaining long-term gains in stock trading. “Let nobody tell you otherwise. It’s very very difficult to bat for decades, on different pitches, and survive. And it requires a big bull market tailwind too,” he stated.
Sharma’s advice has sparked a discussion among investors, with some endorsing his conservative approach while others argue in favor of calculated risks in the stock market.
