Advice sought

dunstonh

do I go for investment trusts (if so advice please)

investment trusts is one option. Unit trusts, OEICs, SICAVs, ETFs, shares etc are other options. Advice is a regulated activity. You wont get advice here. Just discussion and comment.

atush

Indeed, I think Trusts could be a way to go (and I advise monthly over lump sums) but you need to DYOR and look at some of the big General trusts, and some more niche ones once you have for yourself decided which sector to put your money into such as income, emerging markets, smaller companies, mining etc.

Have a look and do some research via Trust.net, and the Motley Fool websites to help you find ones that are right for you.

darkpool

831badger wrote: »

so having already used my isa allowance for this year and having this extra cash do I go for investment trusts (if so advice please) or have a chance on the markets via selftrade where I'm thinking of splitting over Shell, Sainsbury and Smith/Nephew...this will be a longer term investment which I shall add to and not take out...

all good solid companies, i think any of them would be a good long term investment for a newbie.

qpop

darkpool wrote: »

all good solid companies, i think any of them would be a good long term investment for a newbie.

And I suppose you think that's a suitably diversified portfolio as well?

What's the investment strategy? What is the basis for choosing the companies? These are questions that need answering before you should hand your hard earned cash to a stockbroker.

darkpool

qpop wrote: »

And I suppose you think that's a suitably diversified portfolio as well?

What's the investment strategy? What is the basis for choosing the companies? These are questions that need answering before you should hand your hard earned cash to a stockbroker.

not, well diversified. i think you'd need about 20 holdings for that. but given time i would hope the OP would develop a well diversified portfolio.

choosing the companies? well they are all strong in their fields and likely to be here in 50 years time.

as a matter of interest do you have any direct shareholdings?

qpop

darkpool wrote: »

not, well diversified. i think you'd need about 20 holdings for that. but given time i would hope the OP would develop a well diversified portfolio.

choosing the companies? well they are all strong in their fields and likely to be here in 50 years time.

as a matter of interest do you have any direct shareholdings?

Not currently, I got out of the market in July. My portfolio wasn't at all diversified, and I'd began investing without any real strategy or plan. I also had a suspicion that things were precariously balanced at the time.

My SIPP is invested in OEICs though - mostly emerging markets (I have a long stint until retirement).

I attribute my timing to luck rather than sixth sense, but either way, I'm not planning on re-investing into direct equities until I have sufficient capital to build a value portfolio that I'm happy with.

BLB53

With just £1K to invest, you are probably best to avoid individual shares as you would not get enough diversity. If it was me, I would split the money between Murray International IT and City of London IT. Both good solid long term prospects. Reinvest the dividends to supercharge your investment returns.