I have always been tempted, and now with the amount of live (less 20mins) info on the internet it seems more temping.
I used to dabble in new issues years ago, before the www really took off.



Any personal anecdotes about share trading, good or bad.



Also – where can I get the 52 week highs for the 680 –ish shares quoted on the LSE ? [In one go.]

I don’t fancy downloading for 680 mins, one by one !!

 

I trade US stocks using Telechart for analysis full current and historical analysis of all US equities with a 20min refresh rates, candle charting, customiseable moving day averages plus around thirty other analyses for trends and actuals.

I use e*trade Pro for trading which guarantees a 2sec trade time for all stocks quoted on the US major exchanges and includes full options trading on CBOE.

The trade costs are $9.95 - sell/buy/put/call.

The experience to date has been interesting. If I had stuck with the my original portfolio of stocks picked last August and just left them I would have made around 40-50% growth.

As it was I 'dabbled' too much and tried to second guess micro-trends and so ended up making around 4%. This was a learning period of six months and I did not take a bath so I am quite pleased. Now returning with new investment strategies.

Try

www.themarketguys.com as they have some good online tutorials for momentum trading including channeling.

Good luck and don't bet your house!

 

Yes

 

Don't be shy, now

 

I aint saying anything. I received a return of 35% last year & expect the same if not more this year

 

Yes, lost out in the internet bubble, doing better now, more confidence in self-select ISAs and funds.

Still got a couple of dog-tech-stocks though at least they're still around, unlike Marconi and Baltimore Tech.

Only started doing it to try to get extra income (from capital growth) rather than pay the taxman 40% tax on my savings and dividends.

J.

 

gazprom

 

Tracker funds have done very well over the last couple of years, as most stock markets have seen good gains- especially India, China, Japan, Germany.

Buying and selling individual shares takes a bit more effort, but can show even greater gains and doesnt tie up your money for so long.

Ive generally not done too well with individual shares - dont really have the time to keep an eye on them. Managed to buy some shares in a couple of firms which went bust - lost about £1500, but hey you cant win them all

 

Try www.advfn.co.uk
You have to register, simple, but you used to get live prices in the UK and I'm sure you still do - no 20 minute delay. You can now look at the US markets and others as well, but don't know how up to date they are. I've used this site for about 5 years although don't look that often now. I just leave the shares to grow gradually.

I did manage to pick 2 companies, which I'd held for a couple of years, who got bought out and I made a very nice return on. Just wished I'd invested more - Ho hum

 

Apparently the trick with shares is knowing when to sell as well as when to buy.

Generally amatuer investors dont like losing any money, so if the value of a stock their holding goes down they will hang on - but serious investors would probably sell as soon as its down say 20%.

I know of people who spend about 2 hours a day trading shares, and do very well out of it indeed.

 

If you work for a company that does them, then company sharesave schemes are generally a good investment.

 

www.fool.co.uk

This is a good site with various investment stratergies. One idea is to only invest in the FTSE 100. Buy into the top 5 companies that have incresed their share price the most over recent weeks. Hold these shares for 6 months and then re look at the market. Then sell them and select the top 5 companies at this time.

Most people on the site do well - from what i gather

 

Yes, you have to cut your losses as they occur.
Like you say, alot of people will hang in, despite the share going down in value.

If you can get more profit than losses, you're making money (unless you have big losses).

I remember the crash of '87 when I had some shares, and was buying more through a rights issue.
Broker said are you sure you want to buy more shares.
Reply was no-way, sell them all !!!
Good Thing !!!

 

Yes

Another ADVFN fan - you think there are a few odd folk on here, try the free BB over there...

AIM shares = lots of fun

Best return 350% (CFP, now DGT and I'm back in again just now)

Biggest scare - lost 50% in a day (gamble on ROS, win some, lose some)

 

Intra-day traded for a few years from home linked to the LSE via aerial and software. (Prices, News, charts, History etc).

 

Don't listen to ronny555. Tipped Warthog at 1.4p, now trading at 0.14p

 

Yes thank you very much. Paid off my mortgage years ago after a few good ivestments.

Chip

 

Quite a few peps have done well, but are keeping the cards close to their chest.

No names or amounts needed, but tactics or anecdotes are welcomed.

IIRC, it only took GBP 2,500 invested in Polly Peck to make GBP 1,000,000 - before asil nadir did a runner.

Whilst having long term investments, (they are doing nicely) I do like the thought of a few bucks sitting in high risk winners.

Biggest rise I saw wiyh my own eyes was a share tip (which I was tempted to go with, but did not) with an short term rise from circa 150 pence to circa 800 pence. Oakwood Group some years back, IIRC.

 

Velo, I would read a book or two before staking 'real money'. I read Peter Lynchs 'Beating the street'. He was Fidelities best ever fund manager. Its not full of share tips but explains the basics of companies, accounts, PE ratios etc.

Problem is since I read it I've been so busy I haven't had time to start trading!

 

There is a certain British company who sells habdwash in most high street shops and they have discoverd that it kills Bird flu virus within 30 sec, maybe a few quid on them in the near future.

only a tip, though i actually know **** about share dealing.

Mac

 

I use programs and info from www.sharescope.com where depending on your subscription you can have daily, 15 min or truly live info.

IMO actually buying shares is old hat. Try

www.igindex.co.uk or www.cityindex.co.uk

I can see no benefit of paper shares over spreads.

For general chit chat, analysis and info try www.iii.co.uk

I am currently concentrating on Mining and Oil & Gas sectors. Specifically small exploration companies about to start pumping and large established mining like Rio and BHP for example. Some days it feels like free money!

 

For a birt of practise and training try

http://www.insightsupport.com/

Which I haven't used myself but have been told by people that it is v good.