Standard Life / Georgeson Letter - HELP!

Beetlebug1983

Hello!!

I received a letter from Georgeson acting on behalf of Standard Life yesterday advising me that i have 196 shares in standard life (i was unaware of thsi). They are giving me 3 options - keep them, cash in or donate.

i have no idea when it comes to shares, has anyone else received this letter?

Is it best to cash them in or keep them??

Farway

Beetlebug1983 wrote: »

Hello!!

Is it best to cash them in or keep them??

Depends, do you really need the money now?

If not then to sell now is not a good idea, all markets are tumbling and the price you will get will not really reflect the long term value of this company

If you are desperate for cash then sell of course

FWIW the return on my SL shares, including dividends is 6.11%, which is good as it also has a growth element built in


Disclaimer, I have Standard Life shares

EdInvestor

I should keep them for the moment - as mentioned they pay a good dividend (tax free if you're on basic rate). If you want the cash better to wait until the market improves.

Beetlebug1983

Hi,

Many thanks for your advice!!

As i say, i never knew that i had these shares, and i have never delved in the share market before so i am a complete share virgin.

How does it all work? Say if i hold on to them, and the markets improve and i decide to sell, how is this done? When will i know when the best time to sell is?? where do i keep and eye on the rate??

Could you also tell me what the dividend aspect of it is, how does this work and what does it really mean?? I am just so confuuuusseed! lol. What do i expect to receive??

Beetlebug1983

ooo, i have found the shares calculator on the Standard Life web site.

brightonman123

i would ask for the shares, provided they dont charge for processing etc..

then hold/sell/make paper planes at your leisure!

brightonman123

http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/fds/hi/business/market_data/shares/3/37682/twelve_month.stm

Beetlebug1983

thank you for you advice!!

I have decided to keep them, and am going to keep an eye on the prices in the future. I should also hopefully get previous dividend payments via cheque, so fingers crossed!

To think i never knew about these!!!

Many thanks once again.

Beetlebug.

sabretoothtigger

The [life insurance] sector was hit Wednesday by a note from Deutsche Bank (Xetra: 514000 - news) foreseeing dividend cuts.

They fell back a bit recently so dont sell below 260 I reckon, they have been a good share to have during the ftse fall so far but the downgrade was because of banks not giving dividends anymore which affects their turnover, etc though L&G just reported 5% rise in sales so one to hold imo

Pembie

Hi! I too am a total virgin to shares and have also received the same letter. I'm going to keep the shares but want to know that the difference is between holding them in a Share Account or having a Share Certificate... SO CONFUSING!!! Could anyone help? Please? thanx in advance.

Farway

There is no real differance between holding in a share account or having paper

You still get the dividends [just check the share account has your wishes & bank details]

The only differance could be if you wish to sell them, with paper you may have troubles finding somewhere to do it, banks used to over the counter, but this facility is vanishing

A share account will do it on your instructions, but you have no control over when they sell or price you will get as normally they need written [postal] instructions

You could get the paper, then join an online share dealing service, such as Selftrade or iii [others are available], transfer your paper shares into their care [dead easy], and sell at any time at price you wanted

Most make no annual charge, just choose these ones

All, banks, on line, share account will charge a fee for selling, the trick is to find the cheapest & most convenient