The best way to get into stocks & shares

NIKMAISON

Hi im looking to invest into some stocks or shares i was just wondering if anyone could help with the best way to start for a begginer i dont want to invest big but want to put spare cash into them when ive got it. any help much appreciated thanks.

ChrisEvanson

Have a look at the Hargreaves Lansdown site. There is lots of good advice and pointers on there, it is very easy to sign up and trade.

One thing to remember though is you usually pay per trade, so buying say £100 worth of shares at a time can be expensive. I saved up £1000 initially and bought one lot of shares. However the flipside of that is if the shares are rising fast you might cover your fees in profits.

Seasoned investors will poop poop Hargreaves Lansdown but for the beginner I have found they meet my needs very well.

lisyloo

It's less risky to buy funds than individual shares.
The reason is that if you buy a fnd with say 200 companies and one goes bust, then you might see a slight fall, but you won't lose all your money.

bobbyj_2

read the naked trader books.

ChrisEvanson

lisyloo wrote: »

It's less risky to buy funds than individual shares.
The reason is that if you buy a fnd with say 200 companies and one goes bust, then you might see a slight fall, but you won't lose all your money.

On the other hand you are less likely to make a killing either. It is riskier but the rewards can also be greater. Not all shares crash but not all double in value either.

NIKMAISON

thanx i just wanted to know where to start i will take your advice and be back with more questions soon thanx

Reactor_2

I'd recommend reading this book first:

A Random Walk Down Wall Street: The Time-tested Strategy for Successful Investing by Burton Gordon Malkiel

sleepless_saver

Smarter Investing by Tim Hale is another very good introduction (and has the advantage of being written from a UK perspective).

If I'd read it before investing in the dotcom boom a decade ago, I would be a lot better off today!

DavidHayton

ChrisEvanson wrote: »

Have a look at the Hargreaves Lansdown site. There is lots of good advice and pointers on there, it is very easy to sign up and trade.

One thing to remember though is you usually pay per trade, so buying say £100 worth of shares at a time can be expensive. I saved up £1000 initially and bought one lot of shares. However the flipside of that is if the shares are rising fast you might cover your fees in profits.

I would agree with this poster about http://www.h-l.co.uk/ If you are new at this you could invest a small amount each month (HL will let you go as low as £50) and put it into a general UK Fund such as HSBC All Share Index, or Perpetual Income. Your reading matter (suggested by others) will be much more interesting, whilst your money is spread among dozens of companies (eggs in multiple baskets and all that).

David

camilesno1

ChrisEvanson wrote: »

Have a look at the Hargreaves Lansdown site. There is lots of good advice and pointers on there, it is very easy to sign up and trade.

One thing to remember though is you usually pay per trade, so buying say £100 worth of shares at a time can be expensive. I saved up £1000 initially and bought one lot of shares. However the flipside of that is if the shares are rising fast you might cover your fees in profits.

Seasoned investors will poop poop Hargreaves Lansdown but for the beginner I have found they meet my needs very well.

Agreed, I started my investing in shares through HL at the start of the year and it's great. The buying/selling fees are £9.95 upto £500 and obviously the 0.5% stamp duty when purchasing.
It's quick and easy and I now have 4 lots of shares through them. It may not be the most economical way of doing it but for a beginner it's great.

Highly recommended.

sabretoothtigger

i dont want to invest big but want to put spare cash into them when ive got it

halifax sharebuilder. 1.50 to buy shares