Thoughts on national grid shares?

xyz123

Hi

For debate, what are people's thoughts on nations grid shares. Share prices down quite a bit on last year and dividend yield is around 6%. I understand possible risk with labour government in future trying to re nationalise the utility sector..

I understand this is not investment advise. I also understand risk about losing my money etc... This is for a portfolio of total round £20k, with vast majority being in vanguard.. Looking to add avoid £2k worth as long term investment..
Ta

oz0707

Recently put them on my watch list. Although individual holdings are risky I always think this is overplayed. I don't have any technical knowledge or insight but don't mind a small punt on stuff like thus

letspretendforaminute

I purchased one thousand shares this week. Hit the buy limit set by myself, representing 4.25% of my total portfolio for dividend income.

grey_gym_sock

i actually sold my NG. shares last month. (originally bought in 2009, and took up rights in 2010.)

i'm not completely negative about the shares. the timing was because my strategy (if you can call it that ) called for trimming equities a bit, and this was something i was prepared to let go of.

the possibility of nationalization is 1 factor. we don't know what price they'd be nationalized at, but they probably wouldn't want to appear too generous to shareholders, and it makes it harder to look at the shares as a long-term holding.

i suppose i'm gradually going off utilities a bit. i still hold SSE and BT.

Linton

Have held NG for the past 9 years. I think they are a no-brainer component in any UK shares income portfolio. I wouldnt hold them for any other reason though.

Holding a small number of random individual shares as "punts" does not seem sensible investing to me, but rather just a bit of fun. If you cannot afford say 15 individual holdings its better to stick to funds.