Where can I learn about financial markets and investment banking?

ironlady2022

Hi all

I would like to learn about the financial markets and more about investment banking. My ultimate goal would be to have a go at buying stocks and shares. Can anyone point me in the right direction. I'm a novice but willing to learn. Some easy to read articles would be a good starting point.

Thank you in advance!

leahciM

Hi,
It seems like an incredibly complex world of abbreviations and strange words when you begin (what on earth is a 'moving average' when it's at home? )

These sites massively helped me when I first started, both are UK based, which is a great help too:


Motley Fool

and

Monevator

If you have any specific questions, ask away.

ironlady2022

Thanks for the quick response! Should I read this back to front and on a daily basis?

leahciM

Try these articles on Motley Fool first:

http://www.fool.co.uk/10steps/step1.aspx?source=uhpsitts0000001

and this on Monevator (though in honesty, I'm a massive fan of the Monevator site, so I'd recommend going over all of it to be honest.)

http://monevator.com/2010/01/12/what-should-a-new-investor-do/

ironlady2022

Just gone through 10 steps I will read Monevator later. Can I ask are you if you do investments yourself, do yo buy into shares, funds or index trackers? And for your first time, did you seek any help from a IFA?

psychic_teabag

The Financial Times guide to investing is very comprehensive, but I found it quite readable.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Financial-Times-Guide-Investing-Definitive/dp/027372374X

ironlady2022

That's great it - the edition is 2009, is it still applicable?

psychic_teabag

Well, I'm not an expert, but it's more about background and concepts than discussing specific products, so it probably still applicable. Details like ISA limits and tax rates and things will be out of date, but the details can be checked on the web.

leahciM

mayling03 wrote: »

Just gone through 10 steps I will read Monevator later. Can I ask are you if you do investments yourself, do yo buy into shares, funds or index trackers? And for your first time, did you seek any help from a IFA?

I do - I started with individual shares in high yielding blue chip companies (that is, the biggest companies on the london stock exchange which pay a high percentage in dividends)

However, I found that a mixture of funds, index trackers and ETF's were the best for me and my risk tolerance/unwillingness to put loads of effort in researching individual companies.

I also keep a fair amount in cash, it is king, or so the saying goes.