First time investment in stocks and shares - advice required

regularsaver1

yep, and its prob going to get even worse - in this climate

it gets to me when there is an assumption that a cashiers job is easy - not everyone can handle it. its got a lot harder since i did it, and part of my job i have to get them to get me leads

dunstonh

it gets to me when there is an assumption that a cashiers job is easy

Its a horrible job. You get a lot of grief and rudeness. Its also a job that varies a lot between banks and branches. I had an old manager that openly threatened staff with being put on the till if you didnt perform. He treated it like the lowest job in the branch. The pressure put on cashiers for sales targets is unfair given the lack of training and actual skills. Indeed, that applies to most bank staff now.

nightwatchman

As the banks S&S have plummeted to a record low, a direct investment on the banking sector would not be a good bet?
How deeper can possible sink?

dunstonh

nightwatchman wrote: »

As the banks S&S have plummeted to a record low, a direct investment on the banking sector would not be a good bet?
How deeper can possible sink?

For the long term, you are probably right. In the short term there is still potential for volatility.

chookiembra

jem16 wrote: »

Halifax Fund of Investment Trusts - 14th in its sector over 5 years with +89.7% return ( top was Neptune Global with +177.3%)
Halifax International Fund - 80th in its sector over 5 years with +46.6% return (top as above)
Halifax Japanese - 13th in its sector over 5 years with +28.9% (top was Axa Framlington Japan with +84.9%)

I wouldn't descibe any of them as setting the heather on fire

Lipper Stats to 30 June 2008 ;

Halifax FOIT C - 14/128 three yrs ; 8/123 five years
Halifax Int. C - 45/128 three yrs ; 62/123 five years
Halifax Japan C - 2/48 three yrs ; 7/44 five years

Although the International fund might be fairly described as solid MOR, albeit 2nd quartile over 3 years and just outside it over 5, I'd be more than happy with the performance of both the Fund of ITs and the Japanese offering.

jem16

chookiembra wrote: »

I'd be more than happy with the performance of both the Fund of ITs and the Japanese offering.

You missed a bit of my quote;:;)

but at least better than the cautious Managed Fund.

As part of a balanced portfolio the funds are absolutely fine and of course if it fits in with your risk profile. Unfortunately this is unlikely to happen with "advice" from the Halifax.

Do you really think the average Halifax investor is medium/adventurous risk wise?

crazy_about_scuba

I agree, go and see an IFA (or 3!) - although IFA's are generally paid on commission, so they're salespeople also!

You need to have a plan of what you'd like to use the money for, and your level of risk. It's good to diversify your money into different investments, but always start with an ISA (for you & your partner) this is the most tax efficient way to invest.
Remember, you can put S&S in an ISA. Also look at bonds, guilts & funds. I would spread my money between them & learn about S&S through an ISA which can be done online, I use the following stockbroking sites:
https://www.share.com
https://www.h-l.co.uk
https://www.hoodlessbrennan.com
if you're interested in investing many of them now have a pretend practice account

jem16

crazy_about_scuba wrote: »

I agree, go and see an IFA (or 3!) - although IFA's are generally paid on commission, so they're salespeople also!

IFAs have to offer a fee option unlike sales reps so agree a fee with them.

dunstonh

I agree, go and see an IFA (or 3!) - although IFA's are generally paid on commission, so they're salespeople also!

Go fee based if you are paranoid about it and you avoid any perception of sales.