Simple way to the S&P 500

6022tivo

GeoffTF said:

6022tivo said:

InvesterJones said:

6022tivo said:

So, for simplicity, can anyone point me towards a bank, or site in which the fees are low/reasonable, can form part of a S&S ISA that someone can register an account, deposit some cash, and buy into a fund that is suitable. 

See earlier reply:

InvesterJones said:

6022tivo said:

Some companies offer these S&P type funds or trackers or whatever they are, and it's just a friendly post to find out what is the best way to get involved in one. 

Check out the moneysavingexpert stocks and shares ISA page (https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/savings/stocks-shares-isas/) and pick a platform that works out best for your friend

That's great, thanks. 
But I would not know which one would have an offering that covers this magical "S&P 500" product/fund? 
Or would the vanguard that someone helpfully mentioned cover it? I'm guessing most if not all listed in the S&S page on here will offer that "fund" ? 

https://www.vanguardinvestor.co.uk/investments/vanguard-s-and-p-500-ucits-etf-usd-distributing/overview

All brokers will offer Vanguard ETFs. Here is a price comparison:

https://monevator.com/fFantasticind-the-best-online-broker/

Fantastic, cheers for that. But as someone just posted, would we be better off going direct to vanguard and opening an online account and dealing that way, rather than use a broker and pay their fees? 

coastline

6022tivo said:

InvesterJones said:

6022tivo said:

So, for simplicity, can anyone point me towards a bank, or site in which the fees are low/reasonable, can form part of a S&S ISA that someone can register an account, deposit some cash, and buy into a fund that is suitable. 

See earlier reply:

InvesterJones said:

6022tivo said:

Some companies offer these S&P type funds or trackers or whatever they are, and it's just a friendly post to find out what is the best way to get involved in one. 

Check out the moneysavingexpert stocks and shares ISA page (https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/savings/stocks-shares-isas/) and pick a platform that works out best for your friend

That's great, thanks. 
But I would not know which one would have an offering that covers this magical "S&P 500" product/fund? 
Or would the vanguard that someone helpfully mentioned cover it? I'm guessing most if not all listed in the S&S page on here will offer that "fund" ? 

https://www.vanguardinvestor.co.uk/investments/vanguard-s-and-p-500-ucits-etf-usd-distributing/overview

Nothing wrong with using Vanguard but it will be restricted to their own products. In general it will give you coverage to basic needs.
The main sticking points about single country investing can be seen in chart form below. The World Index, SP 500 and the FTSE. All three can be set to various timeframes way back to 1988 at least. Have a look at say 5yr ,10y , 2005 to present , 2000 to present , etc etc. It's not all plain sailing as you get further back in time. Winning some periods and not others.

Chart Tool | Trustnet

InvesterJones

6022tivo said:

InvesterJones said:

6022tivo said:

So, for simplicity, can anyone point me towards a bank, or site in which the fees are low/reasonable, can form part of a S&S ISA that someone can register an account, deposit some cash, and buy into a fund that is suitable. 

See earlier reply:

InvesterJones said:

6022tivo said:

Some companies offer these S&P type funds or trackers or whatever they are, and it's just a friendly post to find out what is the best way to get involved in one. 

Check out the moneysavingexpert stocks and shares ISA page (https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/savings/stocks-shares-isas/) and pick a platform that works out best for your friend

That's great, thanks. 
But I would not know which one would have an offering that covers this magical "S&P 500" product/fund?

I covered that in the earlier post too. All (DIY) platforms offer access to similar fund, for example the Fidelity Index US Fund which aims to track the S&P 500, or if going vanguard then their own fund as previously mentioned.

If you're (friend is) still unsure, why not pick a DIY platform and then we can show you some S&P 500 trackers for that platform if you can't find them.

6022tivo

InvesterJones said:

6022tivo said:

InvesterJones said:

6022tivo said:

So, for simplicity, can anyone point me towards a bank, or site in which the fees are low/reasonable, can form part of a S&S ISA that someone can register an account, deposit some cash, and buy into a fund that is suitable. 

See earlier reply:

InvesterJones said:

6022tivo said:

Some companies offer these S&P type funds or trackers or whatever they are, and it's just a friendly post to find out what is the best way to get involved in one. 

Check out the moneysavingexpert stocks and shares ISA page (https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/savings/stocks-shares-isas/) and pick a platform that works out best for your friend

That's great, thanks. 
But I would not know which one would have an offering that covers this magical "S&P 500" product/fund?

I covered that in the earlier post too. All (DIY) platforms offer access to similar fund, for example the Fidelity Index US Fund which aims to track the S&P 500, or if going vanguard then their own fund as previously mentioned.

If you're (friend is) still unsure, why not pick a DIY platform and then we can show you some S&P 500 trackers for that platform if you can't find them.

I know it is easy for some, but I have spent the last year trying to get my head and patience around a DIY method. 
I have a Interactive Investor account (£150 topcashback) which covers the fee for 18 months, and have tried diversifying on the recommended 60 or is it 80 funds they "recommend". 

Most have done terribly, some with over 20% losses, so I'm not sure a DIY and research is the way for me personally, and the same said for my friend. 
I will probably leave II.CO.UK and go to vanguard, or sadly find a bank to manage in future. Not too sure at the moment. 

Maybe I just have to read and study a little more to get a better understanding. 

GeoffTF

6022tivo said:

GeoffTF said:

6022tivo said:

InvesterJones said:

6022tivo said:

So, for simplicity, can anyone point me towards a bank, or site in which the fees are low/reasonable, can form part of a S&S ISA that someone can register an account, deposit some cash, and buy into a fund that is suitable. 

See earlier reply:

InvesterJones said:

6022tivo said:

Some companies offer these S&P type funds or trackers or whatever they are, and it's just a friendly post to find out what is the best way to get involved in one. 

Check out the moneysavingexpert stocks and shares ISA page (https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/savings/stocks-shares-isas/) and pick a platform that works out best for your friend

That's great, thanks. 
But I would not know which one would have an offering that covers this magical "S&P 500" product/fund? 
Or would the vanguard that someone helpfully mentioned cover it? I'm guessing most if not all listed in the S&S page on here will offer that "fund" ? 

https://www.vanguardinvestor.co.uk/investments/vanguard-s-and-p-500-ucits-etf-usd-distributing/overview

All brokers will offer Vanguard ETFs. Here is a price comparison:

https://monevator.com/fFantasticind-the-best-online-broker/

Fantastic, cheers for that. But as someone just posted, would we be better off going direct to vanguard and opening an online account and dealing that way, rather than use a broker and pay their fees? 

Vanguard charges 0.15% capped at £375. Invest Engine costs nothing. Indeed they will pay you to open an account. They support all the Vanguard ETFs, but not open ended funds. You have to pay to use the robo-adviser, but you do not have to do that.

jimjames

6022tivo said:

GazzaBloom said:

6022tivo said:

Appreciate all the comments. Some good reading. Will fire off a few thanks shortly. 

So, for simplicity, can anyone point me towards a bank, or site in which the fees are low/reasonable, can form part of a S&S ISA that someone can register an account, deposit some cash, and buy into a fund that is suitable. 

I didn't think it would be that complicated, the goals long term short term I know should be questioned, but in this case it won't matter for this general ask. 

Thanks in advance. 

Vanguard has very low fees and you can set up an ISA and select from a range of funds & ETFs including the S&P500 (VUSA)

https://www.vanguardinvestor.co.uk

I currently have a few vanguard funds via II.co.uk, I suppose it is probably worth me looking to move them out and deal with vanguard direct? 

There seem to be a few contradictions here for you or your friend. Originally you'd opened a CS account, now you already have Vanguard investments with ii.co.uk, how come you've not just bought the USA tracker with the ii account you already have using the same process you used to buy the Vanguard ones already? It's no different to what you've already done.

InvesterJones

6022tivo said:

InvesterJones said:

6022tivo said:

That's great, thanks. 
But I would not know which one would have an offering that covers this magical "S&P 500" product/fund?

I covered that in the earlier post too. All (DIY) platforms offer access to similar fund, for example the Fidelity Index US Fund which aims to track the S&P 500, or if going vanguard then their own fund as previously mentioned.

If you're (friend is) still unsure, why not pick a DIY platform and then we can show you some S&P 500 trackers for that platform if you can't find them.

I know it is easy for some, but I have spent the last year trying to get my head and patience around a DIY method. 
I have a Interactive Investor account (£150 topcashback) which covers the fee for 18 months, and have tried diversifying on the recommended 60 or is it 80 funds they "recommend". 

Most have done terribly, some with over 20% losses, so I'm not sure a DIY and research is the way for me personally, and the same said for my friend. 
I will probably leave II.CO.UK and go to vanguard, or sadly find a bank to manage in future. Not too sure at the moment. 

Maybe I just have to read and study a little more to get a better understanding. 

Ah yes, if you're looking for advice on what to invest in then definitely keep at it and consider getting professional advice. I thought you had already decided on a S&P 500 tracker and were just looking for what a fund was that tracked it, which is the sort of thing this forum can help with. In ii there are several US tracker funds - go Investments->Search Funds and type in 'US index' - the fidelity US index I mentioned which tracks S&P 500 is there, as well as several others.  If you need help understanding what the different types of funds (eg Accumulation vs Income) are then just ask.

6022tivo

jimjames said:

6022tivo said:

GazzaBloom said:

6022tivo said:

Appreciate all the comments. Some good reading. Will fire off a few thanks shortly. 

So, for simplicity, can anyone point me towards a bank, or site in which the fees are low/reasonable, can form part of a S&S ISA that someone can register an account, deposit some cash, and buy into a fund that is suitable. 

I didn't think it would be that complicated, the goals long term short term I know should be questioned, but in this case it won't matter for this general ask. 

Thanks in advance. 

Vanguard has very low fees and you can set up an ISA and select from a range of funds & ETFs including the S&P500 (VUSA)

https://www.vanguardinvestor.co.uk

I currently have a few vanguard funds via II.co.uk, I suppose it is probably worth me looking to move them out and deal with vanguard direct? 

There seem to be a few contradictions here for you or your friend. Originally you'd opened a CS account, now you already have Vanguard investments with ii.co.uk, how come you've not just bought the USA tracker with the ii account you already have using the same process you used to buy the Vanguard ones already? It's no different to what you've already done.

jimjames said:

6022tivo said:

GazzaBloom said:

6022tivo said:

Appreciate all the comments. Some good reading. Will fire off a few thanks shortly. 

So, for simplicity, can anyone point me towards a bank, or site in which the fees are low/reasonable, can form part of a S&S ISA that someone can register an account, deposit some cash, and buy into a fund that is suitable. 

I didn't think it would be that complicated, the goals long term short term I know should be questioned, but in this case it won't matter for this general ask. 

Thanks in advance. 

Vanguard has very low fees and you can set up an ISA and select from a range of funds & ETFs including the S&P500 (VUSA)

https://www.vanguardinvestor.co.uk

I currently have a few vanguard funds via II.co.uk, I suppose it is probably worth me looking to move them out and deal with vanguard direct? 

There seem to be a few contradictions here for you or your friend. Originally you'd opened a CS account, now you already have Vanguard investments with ii.co.uk, how come you've not just bought the USA tracker with the ii account you already have using the same process you used to buy the Vanguard ones already? It's no different to what you've already done.

I have a II account. 

Friend just said he opened a CS account, not put any cash in from what I understand, just the application based on something that was read on the internet or a youtube video. 
This from what I am reading is not the best account to use. 

AlanP_2

There isn't one best account or DIY platform, each has different charging rates etc.

Broadly speaking all the main ones offer a broad range of funds from a broad range of fund providers, think of them as supermarkets with well stocked shelves.

Like supermarkets there will be cost differences, and charges will be calculated in different ways, but on a relatively small investment amount the differences in £ terms won't be a lot (you haven't said how much is being invested so this might be incorrect).

Some charge a percentage in the range 0.15% (Vanguard) to 0.45% (HL). Others charge a fixed fee for buying and selling but no ongoing %'age fee. Hence the various platform fee comparison sites that have been mentioned. If you are going to invest £100 a month from your income then paying a £10 fee each month would be madness. If you are investing £100k in one go then paying 0.45% a year instead of a one-off £10 would be madness.

Horses for Courses.


Vanguard offer their own products on the platform they run. The platform fee at 0.15% is low but there is very limited choice. If a S&P tracker is required then buying a Vanguard one on the Vanguard platform could well be the most cost effective route.

grumiofoundation

6022tivo said:

InvesterJones said:

6022tivo said:

So, for simplicity, can anyone point me towards a bank, or site in which the fees are low/reasonable, can form part of a S&S ISA that someone can register an account, deposit some cash, and buy into a fund that is suitable. 

See earlier reply:

InvesterJones said:

6022tivo said:

Some companies offer these S&P type funds or trackers or whatever they are, and it's just a friendly post to find out what is the best way to get involved in one. 

Check out the moneysavingexpert stocks and shares ISA page (https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/savings/stocks-shares-isas/) and pick a platform that works out best for your friend

That's great, thanks. 
But I would not know which one would have an offering that covers this magical "S&P 500" product/fund? 
Or would the vanguard that someone helpfully mentioned cover it? I'm guessing most if not all listed in the S&S page on here will offer that "fund" ? 

https://www.vanguardinvestor.co.uk/investments/vanguard-s-and-p-500-ucits-etf-usd-distributing/overview

I’ll be honest I’m not clear from your posts if you are being fully serious/sarcastic in your use of magical. 

Do you believe there is some magic to the S and P 500? Why does your friend think investing in just the S and P 500 is a good idea? Do you/they understand what the S and P 500 is and how much an investment in this could drop? 

This might sound harsh but why are you advising/helping your friend as you seem to still be researching the fundamentals of investing yourself?