Tradin' shares

[Whaleboy]

So I'm looking to make some mahoney and trade some shares in my spare time.

I'm a total novice, I've no idea where to begin. How do I go about setting about managing a portfolio? How do I manage it? Is there any software up for the task? (Mac + iPhone would be ideal).

Ta!

[MrFun]

Awhile I ago, I thought about creating a thread with similar questions - never done anything like shares/investments before, but I've been thinking about doing this.

Do you need a lot of money saved before you start? Could you invest with a modest amount to begin with, then add more later?

[MOBIUS]

Try Interactive Investor: http://www.iii.co.uk/sharedealing/?type=portfolio

They have something call 'Portfolio Builder' that is free till 30 June and only £1.50 per trade thereafter. A good way to start!

They also have the usual stuff if you then decide to go 'real time' in the future.

[MOBIUS]

[QUOTE=MrFun;5733119]Awhile I ago, I thought about creating a thread with similar questions - never done anything like shares/investments before, but I've been thinking about doing this.

Do you need a lot of money saved before you start?

No. There is probably a US equiv. of the link I've just posted.

Could you invest with a modest amount to begin with, then add more later?

Yes, specifically if you start a monthly index tracker. Things will be different in the US, plus I have to head out right now anyway...

[Dauphin]

I made $15k last year on FTSE shares. I consider it time to sell and profit take.

[MrFun]

No need to rub it in, Dauphin.

[KrazyHorse]

I made $15k last year on FTSE shares. I consider it time to sell and profit take.

US indexes are trading near historical price to trailing 10 year earnings currently. No reason to believe that they're overpriced, as far as I can see. What about the FTSE?

[Dauphin]

Don't think it's overpriced, nor do I expect the FTSE to fall. I think that it's more likely to remain flat to modest growth.

I plan to remortgage, and paying off a chunk gives me a better interest rate - plus the equivalent expected return is as good as the FTSE.

[KrazyHorse]

Good decision from a personal finance point of view then.

[KrazyHorse]

In the US mortgage interest is tax-deductible. If I ever have the urge to buy a house I'm mortgaging it as high as possible and taking an interest-only loan.

[Dauphin]

Britain used to have that. Caused a house price bubble then crash in the late 80s early 90s

[DanS]

Yeh, deductible interest on home mortgages is a very bad policy set up to benefit some entrenched interest groups.

[KrazyHorse]

Yeh, deductible interest on home mortgages is a very bad policy set up to benefit some entrenched interest groups.

Yes. Homeowners.

[MRT144]

If you have to do it, just make sure you aren't crippled by commissions. Last year I would much preferred to go High Yield CEFs and just let it sit instead of trying to grind out a little profit on more trades.

[Asher]

It's a terrible idea to do stock trading if you're a Mr. Fun or a Whaleboy. If you're not going to pay very close attention to the market and the companies you're investing in, don't do it.