The Scottish Mortgage share price has suffered. Here’s why I’d still buy!

The Scottish Mortgage share price is down 30% this year. Despite this, here’s why I think the trust would be a great buy for the long run.

| More on:

The content of this article was relevant at the time of publishing. Circumstances change continuously and caution should therefore be exercised when relying upon any content contained within this article.

Mixed-race female couple enjoying themselves on a walk

Image source: Getty Images

When investing, your capital is at risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you put in.

Read More

The content of this article is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, any form of personal advice. Investments in a currency other than sterling are exposed to currency exchange risk. Currency exchange rates are constantly changing, which may affect the value of the investment in sterling terms. You could lose money in sterling even if the stock price rises in the currency of origin. Stocks listed on overseas exchanges may be subject to additional dealing and exchange rate charges, and may have other tax implications, and may not provide the same, or any, regulatory protection as in the UK.

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More.

The Scottish Mortgage (LSE: SMT) share price has taken a beating over the past year, down 33%. With inflationary pressures causing a weak economic outlook, investor confidence in stocks such as Scottish Mortgage has waned in 2022.

The investment trust has been a top performer over the past decade. And despite a 52-week low of 670p, the Scottish Mortgage share price is currently sitting at around 900p. Here’s why I think the stock could be a great long-term addition to my portfolio today.

Scottish Mortgage decline

As mentioned, this year has been nothing to write home about for Scottish Mortgage. With inflation spiking globally, including 10.1% and 8.5% for the UK and the US respectively, the trust has been in the firing line of this.

With a focus on growth stocks, some of its top holdings have seen large losses as investors have shied away from such businesses.

Its tech-heavy focus has also fuelled this downfall as the sector has seen a market correction this year. Combined, this has driven down the stock’s price.

Not all bad news

Despite this, it’s not all bad news for Scottish Mortgage.

For a start, the last month has seen the stock rise 13%, clawing back some of its recent losses. This could be a sign that investors are beginning to gain confidence in the trust once again.

Yet more importantly, what’s crucial for me is Scottish Mortgage’s long-term outlook. Sure, it’s had a tough year. However, management highlights that performance is judged over a five-year stretch. And therefore, short-term volatility is less of an issue to me. While past performance is no indication of future returns, the last five years have seen Scottish Mortgage shares rising 114%. Pretty impressive.

As a retail investor, I also deem the range it offers my portfolio to be vital. With one investment, I get a slice of stocks from a variety of sectors and countries.

What this essentially does is help offset risk. By owning a slither of each stock through the trust I’m avoiding the riskier play of buying its holdings, such as ASML, directly.

One issue I do have is its relatively large weighting in China. The nation recently reduced its medium-term lending rate by 10 basis points as data revealed a slowdown in consumer demand. With cracks starting to appear in its economy, this could spell bad news for Scottish Mortgage.

However, I still have faith in the Chinese economy’s potential to produce the ‘next big thing’. Scottish Mortgage has an eagle eye when it comes to finding high-growth companies that produce juicy returns.

I’m still buying

So, despite the near-term issues it may face, I’d still buy the shares today. I think from a long-term perspective its weighting in China has the ability to bear fruit. Add this to the diversity it offers my portfolio, and I’d happily open a position in the stock.

Trading at around the 900p mark, I’d buy Scottish Mortgage shares today and hold for the long run.

Should you invest, the value of your investment may rise or fall and your capital is at risk. Before investing, your individual circumstances should be assessed. Consider taking independent financial advice.

Charlie Keough has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has recommended ASML Holding. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

More on Investing Articles

One English pound placed on a graph to represent an economic down turn
Investing Articles

Should I avoid the FTSE 100 like the plague?

The FTSE 100 has enjoyed a stellar 2025 against a rocky economic backdrop. Is it time to get out of…

Read more »

Middle-aged white man pulling an aggrieved face while looking at a screen
Investing Articles

£10,000 invested in Greggs shares 5 years ago is now worth…

Investors flocked to Greggs shares for an appealing mix of growth prospects and passive income following the pandemic. But things…

Read more »

Bearded man writing on notepad in front of computer
Investing Articles

I’m getting nervous about the Lloyds share price

The Lloyds share price has soared by more than 50% over the past 12 month, easily beating the wider FTSE…

Read more »

A pastel colored growing graph with rising rocket.
Investing Articles

Meta stock is up 17 days in a row! Time to buy this record-setter?

Our writer wonders whether now is the time for him to add Meta stock to his ISA portfolio after its…

Read more »

Man putting his card into an ATM machine while his son sits in a stroller beside him.
Investing Articles

4 good reasons why I’m avoiding cheap Lloyds shares like the plague!

Lloyds shares look dirt cheap based on earnings, dividends, AND asset values. But is the FTSE 100 bank a risk…

Read more »

Young brown woman delighted with what she sees on her screen
Investing Articles

31% revenue growth! This top growth stock just keeps powering on

Shopify (NYSE:SHOP) smashed it in the fourth quarter, wrapping up an outstanding 2024. But is this growth stock worth considering…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Down 23% in a year, is Frasers Group a FTSE 250 bargain?

Christopher Ruane explains why he is taking the Buffett approach by sticking to what he comfortably understands. That does not…

Read more »

The words "what's your plan for retirement" written on chalkboard on pavement somewhere in London
Investing Articles

How much would someone need to invest in the stock market to retire and live off passive income?

Christopher Ruane explains some approaches and potential pitfalls of putting money in the stock market to try and retire early…

Read more »