Buying shares

[sfella]

Hi, first time poster in here. Would like to buy some shares, nothing huge but have no.idea where to start. Seems extreme to be ringing a broker for a few hundred quid here and there. Can anyone reccomend a safe online platform where I can buy/sell? Thanks

[Nemophilist]

I wanted to do the same so have started by using the Trading 212 app which has been really easy to use and I can buy shares as and when I want

I’m only dabbling in small amounts, it’s just a bit of fun for the moment

There are other trading app platforms like this but I haven’t tried them out personally

Mod edit:No referral codes please.

[xx99xx]

Trading212 is CFDs (basically spread betting) and not 'investing' if actually owning shares matters to you. This is probably of more relevance if you want to invest in stocks that pay a dividend or to vote at AGMs etc or whether you just want to (try to) make a bit of money from share price movements.

Plenty of online brokers, banks etc available to open an account with if share ownership is what you're after.

[xeny]

https://freetrade.io/ will do what it sounds like you want.

There's a sign up link here https://monevator.com/freetrade-how-to-build-your-... which nets you a free share. They also discuss building a diversified portfolio, which if you're not simply in it for short term thrills is probably worth a read.

[Boz123]

Nemophilist said:

I wanted to do the same so have started by using the Trading 212 app which has been really easy to use and I can buy shares as and when I want...

What's the spread? What happens when they go pop? Are you buying *actual* shares or just options?

Have a look at AJ Bell youinvest (other platforms are available)

[sfella]

Thank you for the replies so far, I'd like to.own shares as opposed to betting on the market. Some companies I see along the way I think would be worth a few ££ and leave it to see what happens, never know might just drop on something good. Not going to be risking my house etc just modest sums.

[eltawater]

I've used x-o.co.uk for a few years to buy and sell some shares but I've left mine alone for a while now.

They have a fantasy portfolio feature which you might want to play around with first to get a feel for how things work and to see how much you'd really lose in the real world

[vulture1]

xx99xx said:

Trading212 is CFDs (basically spread betting) and not 'investing' if actually owning shares matters to you. This is probably of more relevance if you want to invest in stocks that pay a dividend or to vote at AGMs etc or whether you just want to (try to) make a bit of money from share price movements.

Plenty of online brokers, banks etc available to open an account with if share ownership is what you're after.

No it is not. T212 has cfd but also shares as well as a isa share account and I have had plenty of dividends from it. Only thing is dividends are in cash not as shares.

[egor110]

O/P - why do you want to buy individual shares rather than a index tracker and own a bit of everything ?

instead of looking for a needle in a haystack buy the whole hay stack - buffet.

[Nemophilist]

vulture1 said:

xx99xx said:

Trading212 is CFDs (basically spread betting) and not 'investing' if actually owning shares matters to you. This is probably of more relevance if you want to invest in stocks that pay a dividend or to vote at AGMs etc or whether you just want to (try to) make a bit of money from share price movements.

Plenty of online brokers, banks etc available to open an account with if share ownership is what you're after.

No it is not. T212 has cfd but also shares as well as a isa share account and I have had plenty of dividends from it. Only thing is dividends are in cash not as shares.

I have had cash dividends paid too.
It’s worked well for me as a newbie to it all.

[xeny]

egor110 said:

O/P - why do you want to buy individual shares rather than a index tracker and own a bit of everything ?

instead of looking for a needle in a haystack buy the whole hay stack - buffet.

Cynical hat on "because they've not yet realised everyone else starts off thinking the same thing" ?

OP - if you want to buy individual companies, consider starting by running a virtual portfolio - it will tell you how good or bad your intuition is.

[JulianPH]

xeny said:

Cynical hat on "because they've not yet realised everyone else starts off thinking the same thing" ?

OP - if you want to buy individual companies, consider starting by running a virtual portfolio - it will tell you how good or bad your intuition is.

Good advice, it is not easy and you can build up experience this way without risking anything.

[keo]

I also want to start buying shares, a small amount every month for the next 20 years or so. I don’t know the best way/ best product to do it. I was thinking some kind of vangaurd isa but I don’t know

[Scootersp]

sfella said:

Thank you for the replies so far, I'd like to.own shares as opposed to betting on the market. Some companies I see along the way I think would be worth a few ££ and leave it to see what happens, never know might just drop on something good. Not going to be risking my house etc just modest sums.

I was you 4 months ago. HL Hargreaves Lansdown I set up recently, transferred in cash ISA's to it and have invested in it.

A friend has the 212.

For me the only downside to HL is the transaction fees for small amounts. If you put in £500 to something then it if it went up 4% and you sold you're likely to get just your £500 back because the combined buy/sell fee is likely to be this £20.

If you put in £5,000 you'd get back £5,180 and actually make something!

Just showing that multiple little trades and quick buy/sells on modest gains and you're likely to only be funding HL only!

HL 'seems' more professional efficient comprehensive than 212 but I'm pretty sure 212's transaction fees are nil/minimal.

[98elise]

xeny said:

egor110 said:

O/P - why do you want to buy individual shares rather than a index tracker and own a bit of everything ?

instead of looking for a needle in a haystack buy the whole hay stack - buffet.

Cynical hat on "because they've not yet realised everyone else starts off thinking the same thing" ?

OP - if you want to buy individual companies, consider starting by running a virtual portfolio - it will tell you how good or bad your intuition is.

Agreed. I've been trading on an off for about 30 years. The most success I've had has been buying funds. The most losses I've had have been individual shares.

Funds spread your risk, and have the benefit of the share buyer being a professional.

You buy funds like shares through a share trading platform so the experience is no different.

[Scootersp]

98elise said:

Funds spread your risk, and have the benefit of the share buyer being a professional.

Not only professional but experience and not too flitty.....I big part of individual investors is we are flawed sometimes to being too risky or too risk adverse, a investment company has a number of people and a balancing or view, the old two heads are better than one adage!

Not that I'm currently taking that advice mind!

[anonymous-user]

The question is whether you're trying to make money from (a) trading, or (b) investing. It's vital to know which before you start.

I would venture that, by number,

• Most people who attempt trading lose money, and
• Most people who attempt investing make money.

There are undoubtedly some successful traders, many of them employed on big salary/incentive packages in and around the City. Anyone who thinks they have an opportunity to take on and beat those traders would be well advised to do a "dry run" with some virtual dealings before chucking their hard cash into the mix. Unless you have special knowledge or skills it's really no different from gambling and, as most gamblers discover, the house generally wins.

[Chamon_Lee]

For an absolute newbie what would be the best way to compare/analyse/check what funds are good not so good etc

[egor110]

rockin said:

The question is whether you're trying to make money from (a) trading, or (b) investing. It's vital to know which before you start.

I would venture that, by number,

• Most people who attempt trading lose money, and
• Most people who attempt investing make money.

There are undoubtedly some successful traders, many of them employed on big salary/incentive packages in and around the City. Anyone who thinks they have an opportunity to take on and beat those traders would be well advised to do a "dry run" with some virtual dealings before chucking their hard cash into the mix. Unless you have special knowledge or skills it's really no different from gambling and, as most gamblers discover, the house generally wins.

Exactly.

If the o/p has watched some YouTube video saying how 5g, cloud or gaming are the hot new sectors you've missed the boat.

Mid march to start of April is when things were cheap to buy , personally I'd save the cash so that when we get the next big crash you can buy then.

[egor110]

Chamon_Lee said:

For an absolute newbie what would be the best way to compare/analyse/check what funds are good not so good etc

First you need to identify your attitude to risk.

Look at the vanguard life strategy plans , they go from 100 % stocks to 80% stocks 20% bonds , 60/40 40/60 etc.

Broadly stocks are more risky than bonds but potentially can make more money , however nothing is guaranteed and you could come away with nothing.