Anyone else dabble in stocks and shares?

[Mortimer Firewood]

The reason I'm getting involved is because my boys compensation will be invested and I wanted to have some understanding of how it works and pick up the lingo.

I've a cousin that is a future trader and two friends that are making a good return off the market all though the one has lost thousands on go pro shares.

[arboriculturist]

'A little knowledge is dangerous' as is said.

 

It's hard enough making a margin at what you do 'day in day out' even after years of experience, so risking that hard earned cash on something we all know next to nothing about - That's just insane.

 

Put that pot of cash into improving your business efficiency, now that is a worthwhile investment.

[Mortimer Firewood]

'A little knowledge is dangerous' as is said.

 

It's hard enough making a margin at what you do 'day in day out' even after years of experience, so risking that hard earned cash on something we all know next to nothing about - That's just insane.

 

Put that pot of cash into improving your business efficiency, now that is a worthwhile investment.

 

Life would be very boring if we all stuck to that way of thinking

[arboriculturist]

Life would be very boring if we all stuck to that way of thinking

 

Yes agreed, I was thinking of adding in but it goes without saying.

 

Everyone will have there own level of acceptable risk, I just prefer taking risks that I am 100% in control of and look for excitement in other areas.

 

I hope your investments work for you and give a good return.

[Mortimer Firewood]

Yes agreed, I was thinking of adding in but it goes without saying.

 

Everyone will have there own level of acceptable risk, I just prefer taking risks that I am 100% in control of and look for excitement in other areas.

 

I hope your investments work for you and give a good return.

 

I'll be happy if I get my original investment back and I've learned a little about a subject I've never engaged with. On the other hand if I make a fortune I'll send you a postcard

[Vespasian]

I'd love to see a TV expose' of some typical stockbrokers, see how they make their decisions..

What to buy, when to buy, what they know and don't know...

 

I'll hazard a guess most throw a hundred grand on an option then cross their fingers they ain't just blown someone's retirement nest egg..

 

or maybe they just throw money everywhere in a Bull market sell everything in a Bear market...

 

Its not rocket science when you think of it, its a matter of timing, knowing when the proverbial is gonna hit the fan..

 

 

oops, the FED has just increased interest rates, everybody sell... Oh dear!!!..

[the village idiot]

I find the whole stocks and shares thing a bit depressing.

 

Making money by just moving money around, sometimes with no care of who one is investing in seems fairly soulless.

 

The average amount of time that stock is held by any one person on the markets is 22 seconds! I appreciate that most of you will be investing using methods that would bring this average up but it still seems unreal.

 

It would be interesting if traders on the stock market were obliged to actually take delivery of whatever 'stock' they buy. 20,000 tons of iron ore turning up on your doorstep would certainly be a bit of a reality check!

[Atilla]

I think focusing on one or two companies is a good strategy. Knowing them inside out can help you make money when their share price goes up or down. However, it takes a lot of work to beat a decent fund manager. Recently I opened a Hargreaves Lansdowne account online and invested in Fundsmith and also a fund run by Neil Woodford. Both have impressive track records and seem to be a good steady bet..... fingers crossed.

I too opened an Hareaves account but for a SIPP.

I don't trust insurance companies to run pension funds so thought I'd take control of it myself. With Auto enrolment for pensions coming in it spurred me to make make the decision.

As yet I've avoided individual shares and stuck to funds. Also, in an attempt to hopefully minimise the risk (there always is risk) I've selected funds from their Wealth 150+ list.

 

Reason for funds and not shares are several, but main ones are;

In reality I know jack about buying /selling the best stock at the right time.

Fees are minimal - in comparison to dealing in shares as an individual

The Fund Manager is well experienced and their performance is minutely scrutinised by both their company and the market.

The SIPP contributions get me the tax benefits

 

Has it being a good move?.

I'd say so. Certainly better than one of my insurance investments. Average performance of 4 funds matching my Prudential policy and a couple ahead of the game. All that said, the last few weeks has made for grim reading but that happened for virtually everybody and does tend to happen on an almost yearly cycle.

[woodland dweller]

Did a bit of day trading just after the recession when the stocks where low and made around £2000 a month, when work was quiet. You had to put a lot of time into it doing all the research, watching charts , pressing the button on spikes and getting out quick on falls. But as work got busier gave up day trading and brought for the long hall. We started off with £100K after selling a house and now its only worth £30K, took my eye off the ball but hey its only a loss if you sell.

Lost £10K when Yell delisted and a couple of oily's have gone bust the rest have just slowly dropped and not worth selling, just hoping that by the time i retire they may give a return.

All are high risk AIM shares and mostly oily's, the risk is when they drill and find nothing the share will drop like a lead ballon and when they find oil within minutes the share can triple then get out quick, bank the lot.

My only advise is if you want to make a million on shares then start off with 2 million. Cos if your not careful your going to loose !

[tipmethewink]

It would be interesting if traders on the stock market were obliged to actually take delivery of whatever 'stock' they buy. 20,000 tons of iron ore turning up on your doorstep would certainly be a bit of a reality check!

 

I'm pretty certain this is still the case. If you let a futures contract expire you'll be asked where you want the stuff delivered.