S&S Investor? FTSE 100 Tracker? Stakeholder? Self-Select?

unitedwestand

I've used up my cash ISA allowance & now looking to use up my remaining allowance with a Stocks & Shares ISA before the 5th.

However, I'm a little confused by all the options available.

Ideally, I'm looking for something that’s easy to set up online, low maintenance, low risk with a decent level of return.

Although they are probably not the most competitive, I'm only a click away from setting up one of the Halifax options so would appreciate any advice on which one would be best suited....

http://www.halifax.co.uk/investments/stocksandsharesisas.asp

Thanks!

dunstonh

Ideally, I'm looking for something that’s easy to set up online, low maintenance, low risk with a decent level of return.

Low risk would basically rule out a FTSE100 tracker (medium/high) and probably self select as most of those are used for shares (although you could use it for bonds).

Although they are probably not the most competitive, I'm only a click away from setting up one of the Halifax options so would appreciate any advice on which one would be best suited....

http://www.halifax.co.uk/investments...sharesisas.asp

You have managed to pick possibly one of the worst you can get.

If you cant make your mind up now what you want to invest in then use a fund supermarket that has a cash account. You can then get it in before the tax year ends and then decide on the coming weeks where to put it.

ses6jwg

I use Interactive Investor - no annual charges, simple to use platform, informative website, competitive commission costs. Very pleased.

I prefer self select.

I enjoy doing the research and I feel that you only have yourself to blame should things go tats up.

unitedwestand

dunstonh wrote: »

Low risk would basically rule out a FTSE100 tracker (medium/high) and probably self select as most of those are used for shares (although you could use it for bonds).

Would the investor or stakeholder isa be better then?

I had a look at fund supermarkets but they look like hard work no?

ses6jwg wrote: »

I use Interactive Investor - no annual charges, simple to use platform, informative website, competitive commission costs. Very pleased.

I prefer self select.

I enjoy doing the research and I feel that you only have yourself to blame should things go tats up.

Is that www.iii.co.uk that you use? I was looking at some of their reviews which seem to be quite poor.

http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews160733.html

dunstonh

Would the investor or stakeholder isa be better then?

No. Halifax products are just dire (although their sharebuilder product is good for small amounts).

I had a look at fund supermarkets but they look like hard work no?

No. They give you the closest you can get to whole of market access by giving you the choice of the funds that you are mostly likely to want to have. Just because they offer 1000 or so funds doesnt mean you have to have a thousand.

I was looking at some of their reviews which seem to be quite poor.

If you ruled out providers on the basis of some people having bad experiences or making comments on the internet you would never choose anyone.

ses6jwg

unitedwestand wrote: »

Would the investor or stakeholder isa be better then?

I had a look at fund supermarkets but they look like hard work no?



Is that www.iii.co.uk that you use? I was looking at some of their reviews which seem to be quite poor.

http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews160733.html

Yes that is the one.

People who have bad experiences are more likely to post up reviews than those who have had no problems.

I've had no problems with iii apart from the website being down (very) rarely
Otherwise they are great and the option to purchase shares monthly at a reduced fee is brilliant.

some people prefer hargreaves lansdown for funds as they are a bit cheaper.

dgaf

unitedwestand wrote: »

Although they are probably not the most competitive, I'm only a click away from setting up one of the Halifax options so would appreciate any advice on which one would be best suited....
Thanks!

Thanks for asking about the above product, because it is something that I signed up for in 2004 and have just been paying a monthly amount in to it up until now but the replies that you got from dunstonh & ses6jwg made me want to do something about it and change who I have my S&S Isa with.

I agree that this Halifax product is not very good, I [STRIKE]think[/STRIKE] am sure you can do better. I have had this since Dec 2004, to date I have paid in £20300 and todays valuation was £22400 ish.

Don't want to hijack your thread so will post a new one about my situation to see what options are available for me if I want to change from Halifax S&S Isa. Your not the only one confused with all the options but good luck with your investment choice.

unitedwestand

Thanks for the help...o.k. I've been having a look, if I ditch the high street brand & opt to use one of the online website/ supermarket funds.... which one should I use, which one has the best rep, is my money safe & what investment would be best fall in to what I'm looking for?

There seems to be twice the options now :rotfl:

• [FONT=&quot]Funds - almost any fund open to private investors[/FONT]
• [FONT=&quot]The vast majority of shares traded on the London Stock Exchange; the DOW 30; Nasdaq 100; S&P 500; European top 300 shares[/FONT]
• [FONT=&quot]Corporate Bonds[/FONT]
• [FONT=&quot]Government Gilts[/FONT]
• [FONT=&quot]Investment Trusts[/FONT]
• [FONT=&quot]Exchange Traded Funds[/FONT]

Feels like opening a can of worms.. only to find a bucket of snakes :rotfl:

david78

Global investment trusts.

jamesd

If you're using funds rather than shares Hargreaves Lansdown will beat iii on costs. It's the one I use and seems generally most popular among those who post here. You can stick the cash in and worry about the investments next week or next month.

unitedwestand

I've done a little research now & think I'm going to set up a Hargreaves Lansdown acccount & put some cash in an Absolute Return fund.