Learning about stocks and shares

Lokolo

Um whats wrong with 8p noodles?

Toastie

Lokolo wrote: »

Um whats wrong with 8p noodles?

500+ calories. I'm fat enough as it is :P

spencer24

Be very careful where do you invest your hard earned money in the current economic environment. The so called stable or low-risk companies might surprise everybody on the downside in the near future.

wheredoesallthetimego

Are you looking to invest in funds or company shares (or something else?).
There are a lot of sites where you can build a dummy portfolio and monitor performance.
But nothing focuses you like having money at risk.
I woulod go for a monthly drip feed to start with so you aren't hit by big fluctuations - you can be happy that your holding is growing or you are getting cheaper shares.

There's no real answer as to how to start - do a lot of reading first.

Remember to take into account dealoing costs which could make small investments unprofitable - but you wouold still learn.

Aegis

Toastie wrote: »

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.

Trustnet has a very good virtual portfolio manager that you can set up unit trusts and OEICs in. It also has an analyser tool that lets you know where your selection is weighted most heavily, and an indication of the expected volatility levels. Have a play with that for a while, read up a lot more here and in other places, and set up a dummy portfolio before you make your first purchases.

purch

Learning about stocks and shares

and remember you will always be learning

Never listen to anyone who claims to know it all, or have all the answers.

Everybody who invests is learning all the time, every day is a new day.

Toastie

Thank you for all the replies; especially Aegis.

I'm not sure i'll invest for a couple of months yet but i guess it will take that long to read up and learn the basics.