Learning about stocks and shares

Toastie

I'm wondering if i should invest (whether it be a halifax share builder) or another firm.

I don't ANYTHING about investments, from the basics.

Are there any good sites?

Any help and replies are very much appreciated.

Lokolo

Buy the book Investing for Dummies.

They released a new version this year so its pretty up to date. Very useful.

Ian_W

INCADEMY has some good tutorials from the basics to more "advanced" subjects with clear explanations.

Aegis

Toastie wrote: »

I'm wondering if i should invest (whether it be a halifax share builder) or another firm.

I don't ANYTHING about investments, from the basics.

Are there any good sites?

Any help and replies are very much appreciated.

What are you trying to achieve? How much do you want to actively manage your portfolio? What sort of reduction would you be able to see in your capital while still staying in the market?

Toastie

Well i was hoping to invest a little at first, but mostly just learn how and what to do. I'd really like just something to help with an future finance problems, but i'm only 18 and don't mind waiting.

I've read a few topics and Hargreaves Lansdown seems popular to invest with.

As i said i'm a novice. I was hoping for a divedent income or just selling shares when right; i really don't know anything.

I understand it's high risk but i don't mind seeing fluctuating values.

Incademy looks a good site, and is quite helpful.

Lokolo

Are you at college? Uni? Working?

Its dividend by the way

Also, my friend invested quite a bit in Vodafone a year ago and still isn't making a gain and Vodafone is a lowrisk company!

Aegis

Toastie wrote: »

Well i was hoping to invest a little at first, but mostly just learn how and what to do. I'd really like just something to help with an future finance problems, but i'm only 18 and don't mind waiting.

It's important to establish what you're looking for here. Investments are extremely varied, ranging from simple lump-sum or mechanical investments into collective funds to actively managing a portfolio of high yield shares. Depending on what you're looking to do, your attitude to risk and how much time you want to put in, your "ideal" investment strategy will change, and so the areas you should look in to will also change.

I've read a few topics and Hargreaves Lansdown seems popular to invest with.

I use them with my strategy. They'll fit yours if you want to put money into unit trusts or OEICs, but probably not so much if you want to buy in to anything else.

As i said i'm a novice. I was hoping for a divedent income or just selling shares when right; i really don't know anything.

Well make sure you don't invest just for dividends! They're nice to have, but if you don't understand the fundamentals then you have no idea how the capital value might change, and that means you have no idea of the sustainability of the dividends!

I understand it's high risk but i don't mind seeing fluctuating values.

Well, you'll see fluctuating values with any stock market investment. The question is: how much are you prepared to see. Would you be happy to see 50% of your capital disappear on paper in the search for high gains? Or would 10% be more like your cup of tea?


The way I started was to look up the definitions of unit trusts and OEICs. Those are a nice way to get exposure to a number of equities without having to manage your own share portfolio.

Toastie

Lokolo wrote: »

Are you at college? Uni? Working?

Its dividend by the way

Also, my friend invested quite a bit in Vodafone a year ago and still isn't making a gain and Vodafone is a lowrisk company!

I'm a college student but i will be in a third year, and thank you for the correction. Shows my naivity

Toastie

Aegis thank you for your advice.

I'm not fussed too much about 50% movement, although up is always good.

I've just read the Direct Gov site about unit trusts. They seem a good way, i don't want too much time spent on the shares because i'm not going to take it up for a living.

I would probably be looking for a steady income from dividends with some chance of capital growth. (As this site says)

But i think unit trusts are a good way to go and look like as you say good exposure to stock shares and everything new to me.

Ian_W

Toastie wrote: »

I'm a college student but i will be in a third year, and thank you for the correction. Shows my naivity

Just wanted to say - good for you!
I wish I'd taken more interest in savings and investments at your age [a very, very long time ago!].
:T

Toastie

Ian_W wrote: »

Just wanted to say - good for you!
I wish I'd taken more interest in savings and investments at your age [a very, very long time ago!].
:T

Even if its just learning some basics, i'm hoping to go to college and so by using investments my money wont all be wasted on 8p noodles.