does anyone here use advfn

blinko

does anyone here use advfn.com website, i was thinking of paying to go to a level 2 i think its £5 a month or something so i was just wondering does anyone else use the website and would they recommend it to me thanks

cheerfulcat

Hi, blinko,

A basic ADVFN subscription ( including Level 2- it's not available on its own ) is around £40 + VAT per month. Level 2 information is available at some brokers' websites for free, if you have an account ( sorry, can't think of one offhand but will post if I do; in the meantime, Google! ). I think that Level 2 is really not necessary for a basic buy-and-hold investor.

I use ADVFN for company research. There is also an excellent new portfolio tool. An awful lot of the bulletin boards are a ramper's paradise and a trap for the unwary; take everything you read there with a massive dose of salt, at least until you know the posters a bit better. There is a free subscription; it would be worth trying that level first, to see how much use you actually make of the site.

HTH

Cheerfulcat

blinko

thanks the damn site is huge im trying to find out what has happend on the indian stock market and the commodities prices, i know comdirect.co.uk have company reports and yeah i like the reports too, but your right about the board it seems like a load of jokers on there sometimes but thanks. and i thought it was £40 a year for level 2 a month might be a little much, although i heard the forums are much more sensibler as most of the clowns are in the free board

cheerfulcat

Hi, blinko,

Yes, the site is very big and busy; it's hard to get your head round at first. The premium boards are indeed more sensible on the whole but not always! However, AIUI, whoever starts a thread on a premium board has the power to edit it.

I have to go out now but when I come back, if someone hasn't already, I'll give you a few links to look at re indian stocks and commodities.

Cheerfulcat

blinko

thanks cheerful cat the website is a maze to me and i find the forums difficult to follow as there board doesnt appear to be as advanced as this one but yeah thanks alot for your help

cheerfulcat

Hi, blinko,

Here's some more info; first, some sites which I'm not familiar with but which look useful -


http://www.equitymaster.com/eqtm.html ( a site for Indian investors; looks very interesting )

http://www.tradersedgeindia.com/bse_sensex.htm

http://futures.tradingcharts.com/tafm/

And some sites which I can personally recommend -

http://incademy.com/training/Investing-abroad/Introduction/1042/10002/

http://www.thebulliondesk.com/

http://boards.fool.co.uk/messages.asp?mid=9199930&bid=50029 ( Motley Fool's Oil & Gas board )

http://boards.fool.co.uk/Messages.asp?bid=50030 ( MF's Mining Sector board )

I'm guessing that when you say commodities you mean the oil & metals kind, not the corn and wheat kind. Commodities AFAAIK are traded through options and it's a pretty risky business; if you want exposure it's best to gain it by holding related shares or funds. There are many shares to choose from ( see the MF boards linked above ) and two UK based funds which I am aware of, one of which I hold and the other which I intend to buy with my next ISA installment; they are the Merrill Lynch Gold and General fund and the JPMF Natural Resources Fund. I normally dislike collective funds but for an area as diverse and specialised as this such funds are ideal.

Similarly I would suggest that if you are interested in India, a fund would be your best way in. The market is at too early a stage, and not as well regulated as most Western ones - it would be very easy to get your fingers burnt. What you could do is find out what areas interest you and then go to Trustnet and see if there is a fund or investment trust which fits your criteria.

There are index trackers which will track almost any index but they are mostly American and in the case of commodities, according to one ( respected ) poster on TMF, there is much scope for shenanigans...

HTH

Cheerfulcat

carnet

cheerfulcat wrote:

two UK based funds which I am aware of, one of which I hold and the other which I intend to buy with my next ISA installment; they are the Merrill Lynch Gold and General fund and the JPMF Natural Resources Fund.

Focusing on similar/related themes, there are also the UK based Unit Trusts/OIECs "First State Global Resources" and "M&G Global Basics" and the Investment Trusts "Merrill Lynch World Mining" and "Resources Investment Trust" which you might wish to check out.

I hold 5 of the 6 mentioned above.

This does not constititute, and should not be construed as, financial advice.

As ever, DYOR.