Portfolio advise

[Hobo]

I want to put 20k into shares in the next week, and then regularly invest 1k per month thereafter.

I want a relatively 'safe' basis for the portfolio, and will then look to possibly diversify as things progress. Got to be better, and more fun, that a bank account which pays near nothing after fees.

The stocks I am looking at for the intial 20k are;

Lloyds (LLOY) - 5k
Barclays (BARC) - 2.5k
Vodafone (VOD) - 2.5k
WPP plc (WPP) - 2.5k
Aldermore (ALD) - 2.5k
Redrow (RDW) - 1k
Berkeley Group (BRK) - 1k
Paddy Power Betfair (PPB) - 1k
BA Systems (BA.) - 1k
Whitbread (WTB) - 1k

Any thoughts on these selections ?

[Hobo]

Changed my plans slightly and invested in the following;

Aldermore
Amazon
Barxlays
Disney
Domino's pizza
Facebook
Google
Coca cola
Legal & general
Lloyds
McDonald's
Microsoft
Nike
Paddy power bet fair
Persimmon
Taylor wimpy
Vodafone
WPP

Went over the initial investment amount slightly.

Looking at the following also;

Apple
VALEANT pharmaceutical
TEVA pharmaceutical
Allergen
Pfizer
Visa

I appreciate the comments about using an investment fund, but like the idea of choosing my own if I'm honest.

[Hobo]

Well, my first week as a rookie investor is up. First weeks profits of £527.

Allergan, Aviva, Domino's pizza, Barclays, Lloyds and Paddy Power Betfair have not been the best choices to date.

[Hobo]

At the moment it's leave it as it is. Planning a couple more purchases next week but that's it for now.

[Hobo]

Mr Cod said:

If you are evaluating an investment decision based on one week's performance - that is not investing.

So how many weeks is it before it is classed as investing ?

[Hobo]

Well, after 2 1/2 months I've invested just over 30k & the return to date is just under 3%, so doing ok, but not quite retirement level yet.

Best investment (to date) is Amazon, returning some 27% since purchase. On the flip side, I bought Allergan hoping the Pfizer merger would bring some positives (and free shares) but to date has lost me 18&. Dominos has also dropped 10%.

The ones that currently keep my interest are Sirius Mining (up 3%), Aureus Mining (down 31%) & 88 Energy (up 2%). They are up & down like the preverbial, however am hoping for good things from at least two of them.

Overall, beating the banks currently offerings, and having far more fun doing so. Learning loads. Onwards & upwards (hopefully).