Share trading/investments

Makkusu

Hello,
I've got around £15k in savings, I'd like to look into purchasing shares in companies both UK and overseas, on a casual basis.

I'm a bit lost where to start, is there a popular website/company which would suit someone like me? I wouldn't invest much at all but I've a few companies I'd like to purchase shares in to sit around for a better investment than the boring interest rates on currently offer.

Any help is appreciate, even if it's a point in the right direction.

Many thanks.

Thrugelmir

Read and research. Investors Chronicle and FT would be a good start. Reuters and Citywire websites.

Tim Hales - Smart Investing

Peter and Andrew Schiff - How an Economy Grows and Why it Crashes (Highly recommend for a novice investor).

Niall Fergusson - The Ascent of Money

Nothing casual about buying shares. Companies are living entities whose fortunes can change overnight.

CLAPTON

Makkusu wrote: »

Hello,
I've got around £15k in savings, I'd like to look into purchasing shares in companies both UK and overseas, on a casual basis.

I'm a bit lost where to start, is there a popular website/company which would suit someone like me? I wouldn't invest much at all but I've a few companies I'd like to purchase shares in to sit around for a better investment than the boring interest rates on currently offer.

Any help is appreciate, even if it's a point in the right direction.

Many thanks.

how much can you afford to lose of the 15,000?

Makkusu

By 'casual' I mean I commit around 120 hours a week to my career, which means I'd like to invest in certain companies I have knowledge off for a bit of extra cash, but don't have time to sit around looking to make living out of it.

Nothing serious, I would just like guidance on certain websites/platforms which facilitate this interest of mine and I'm at a loss where to begin looking.

It's most likely 1-2 companies I'd like to buy shares in, perhaps around £1-2k. Whilst I can afford to lose all of it, I'd rather not... lol

Thanks.

BLB53

Nothing serious, I would just like guidance on certain websites/platforms which facilitate this interest of mine and I'm at a loss where to begin looking.

A couple to follow up diy investor on shares/inv. trusts http://www.diyinvestoruk.blogspot.co.uk/
Motley Fool - check the hyp discussion boards http://www.fool.co.uk/

The main drawback with individual shares is their higher volatility compared to eg trackers or collectives like investment funds/trusts so if thats what you go for, be prepared for a rollercoaster ride!

Makkusu

Would somewhere like x-o.co.uk be in the realms of what I'm looking for? I see it mentioned a lot here.

Although, I read that it's limited to UK companies?

Thrugelmir

Makkusu wrote: »

Would somewhere like x-o.co.uk be in the realms of what I'm looking for? I see it mentioned a lot here.

Although, I read that it's limited to UK companies?

I use X-O and find it basic but functional. (If you like the Company then it's possible to invest directly through Jarvis Securities).

Overseas stocks are expensive to trade in directly. Also there's forms to fill in to reclaim withholding tax deducted on dividends. So not a casual pastime. Better off held through a collective investment vehicle.

jimjames

Makkusu wrote: »

It's most likely 1-2 companies I'd like to buy shares in, perhaps around £1-2k. Whilst I can afford to lose all of it, I'd rather not... lol

Thanks.

If you're buying 1-2 shares then that is a distinct possibility.

I bet a couple of years ago no-one would have believed that Tesco would halve in value. Or that RBS would drop 90% or NR would go bust. Unexpected events happen that can impact company prospects and share prices dramatically.