2470 Standard Life shares keep or sell?

Carraspite

I've discovered today that I'm to get 2470 Standard Life shares. I'm abroad at the moment and don't know what to do!! My form to fill in and return to SL is in the UK and I'm in Spain and will obviously miss the deadline. I will be ringing SL first thing tomorrow morning to find out my options but having read a lot of comments in this forum plus some very helpful links, I'm still uncertain whether to keep the shares or sell them. My initial thought was to sell but now I just don't know!! Help me someone!! Thanks in anticipation.

chateauneufdupape

Wish I had that many. Only 329 myself. Having had a look on the internet, the consensus would appear to be to hold them, but not buy any additional ones. Standard Life seems a possible take over target and is likely to hold its share price. Therefore, combined with the additional 5% after a year, it does not appear to be a high risk. However, for me with 329 shares at an estimated price of £2.25 it amounts to £740, but for you its about £5560. (Assuming price is £2.25). Depends if you could do with that sort of money now.

I am not a financial advisor. I am just passing on what I have read elsewhere. Would very much appreciate somebody with more knowledge adding to the discussion.

Some thoughts in another thread here http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=216590&highlight=Standard+Life

Carraspite

Many thanks for your thoughts and the link which led me to someone's suggestion to "google Standard Life shares sell keep". This led me to newspaper articles on the subject and about 90% of those share your thoughts.

darktrader

Although it might be better to hold them I'm selling mine. Three reasons:

1. When Friends Provident abandoned their mutual status 90% of the advice was to keep 'em and buy more. I followed this advice and finally sold them this year. Even allowing for the dividend payments I didn't make much.

2. As my Std. Life With-profits is underperforming the cash from the sale is earmarked for immediate pay-off against my mortgage.

3. As I will only receive 350 shares therefore less than a grand, in my personal Investments/Savings mix this is too neglible to really worry about.

I am NOT advising anyone else to buy or keep. Just expalining what I'm doing and why.

Carraspite

I managed to talk to someone at Standard Life this morning and as I am unable to get the form back to them in time I can't have the money instead of shares. Guess that solves my dilemma! There's nothing like having your mind made up for you is there?!! Thanks for your thoughts.

darktrader

Carraspite wrote:

I managed to talk to someone at Standard Life this morning and as I am unable to get the form back to them in time I can't have the money instead of shares. Guess that solves my dilemma! There's nothing like having your mind made up for you is there?!! Thanks for your thoughts.

Nothing to stop you selling the shares as soon as you have them...

M2006

A good decision for you then!

Started at £2-30 and now closing @ £ 2-49! Question is , how long do you hold with this amount of shares and what is likely to happen to the share value over the coming weeks?