Beginning to Invest - All questions go here please

jellybeans · 07-04-2011 8:28pm

Im just trying to link my new zecco account with my bank account and it says this "Bank ABA Routing Number " is that the IBAN??? has anyone transferred funds before? how did you go about it?

Noel 006 · 07-04-2011 9:24pm

jellybeans wrote: »

Im just trying to link my new zecco account with my bank account and it says this "Bank ABA Routing Number " is that the IBAN??? has anyone transferred funds before? how did you go about it?

Zecco should you provide you with the Bank's ABA, the IBAN is specific to your own domestic account, I think the ABA is the equivalent of a Sort Code for the American Bank, not to be confused with their Swift Code which you will also need! The Joys!

Lord TSC · 13-04-2011 10:39am

Right, I've opened my account with Sharewatch and the ODL thingy. Is there any guides or FAQs online as to how the site works? I think I've nearly got the hang of it, bgut I was wondering if there's any beginner's guide to actually using the platform?

EDIT: Also, I though Sharewatch used an Irish based account? Or has that changed? Cause the ODL thingy which they use is advising me to transfer funds to an English banking account...

Joe Gt · 28-04-2011 11:14am

Im heading to Brisbane in the summer and have already opened my ANZ back account , while on the phone to ANZ they recommended two currency traders to me , Halo Financial and FC Exchange , both are based in the UK . Has anyone have had any dealing with either company or can recommend another company to take my business with . Ill be looking to do a large Euro > AUD transaction and looking to do AUd > Euro in the coming months .

Lord TSC · 28-04-2011 11:25am

Question.

When I bought shares this morning, I got the usual email receipt. I noticed it says the following...

Trade Date = 28 Apr 2011 09:51:56
Settlement Date = 05 May 2011

Question is...whats the settlement date?

francie81 · 30-04-2011 11:23pm

I have being in a special bonus saver account for 4 years now and I seem to be making little or no return on it btw its with BOI, can anyone suggest where I would make a better return for example would the credit union yield more?

Thanks

ClickityClick · 13-05-2011 7:05pm

Have you considered An Post Saving Certificates? I've been investing in these for a number of years and I'm alway very pleased at the final sum which they've yielded. The secret is just invest and forget. I've all my savings in them, and I'm now wondering if they are OK, seeing as the Gov is trying to get their paws on everything. Could the Certs ever be considered as Pension Funds?

ilpaction · 13-05-2011 10:15pm

Hi iMax

Have you heard about the Action Group for IL&P Shareholders?

See : www.ilpshareholders.com

If you are a shareholder or know anyone who is - we urge you to get to the AGM - Vote down this Board and play your part in directing the future of this company!

ilpaction · 13-05-2011 10:16pm

Hi ClicketyClick,

Have you heard about the Action Group for IL&P Shareholders?

See : www.ilpshareholders.com

If you are a shareholder or know anyone who is - we urge you to get to the AGM - Vote down this Board and play your part in directing the future of this company!

ilpaction · 13-05-2011 10:16pm

Hi Team Shadow Clan

Have you heard about the Action Group for IL&P Shareholders?

See : www.ilpshareholders.com

If you are a shareholder or know anyone who is - we urge you to get to the AGM - Vote down this Board and play your part in directing the future of this company!

francie81 · 14-05-2011 12:05am

ClickityClick wrote: »

Have you considered An Post Saving Certificates? I've been investing in these for a number of years and I'm alway very pleased at the final sum which they've yielded. The secret is just invest and forget. I've all my savings in them, and I'm now wondering if they are OK, seeing as the Gov is trying to get their paws on everything. Could the Certs ever be considered as Pension Funds?

No what way do they work briefly? The return am getting with BOI of say a few grand maturity is absolutely terrible.

ClickityClick · 14-05-2011 11:41am

you invest your amount in the current issue of saving certs, and there is interest added every six months. you can withdraw at any time, but always make sure that it is after a six month period, that way you get the interest accrued. If you can it's beter to leave it for the full term, usually 5 years. I don't know the actual % of interest, but if you look it up on the net you'll get the current figures.

francie81 · 14-05-2011 12:26pm

ClickityClick wrote: »

you invest your amount in the current issue of saving certs, and there is interest added every six months. you can withdraw at any time, but always make sure that it is after a six month period, that way you get the interest accrued. If you can it's beter to leave it for the full term, usually 5 years. I don't know the actual % of interest, but if you look it up on the net you'll get the current figures.

Ok clickity sounds like an interesting option gonna check it out.

Thanks,
Francie

Lord TSC · 17-05-2011 11:36am

Another question...

I notice Sharewatch and Davys seem not to update some of the share prices some days. Today, for example, all the data beside a good few of the companies is just left blank. Why is that?

Black Rock · 18-05-2011 2:59pm

The NTMA's Savings Certificates grow every 6 month as follows
……………………GROSSED UP................ACTUAL NET "After Tax"
……………………RETURN.…AER………….AER......RETURN
Year…..½……..1.37%....2.75%..........2.01%....1.00%
Year 1…………. 2.88%....2.88%..........2.10%....2.10%
Year 1 ½……..4.52%....3.00%...........2.19%....3.30%
Year 2…………..6.30%....3.11%...........2.27%....4.60%
Year 2 ½……..8.49%....3.34%...........2.44%....6.20%
Year 3………..10.96%....3.56%...........2.60%....8.00%
Year 3 ½…...13.70%....3.78%...........2.76%..10.00%
Year 4……..…16.71……...4.00%..........2.92%...12.20%
Year 4 ½…….20.00%....4.21%..........3.07%...14.6%
Year 5…………23.97….....4.49%..........3.28%...17.50%
Year 5 ½…….28.77.......4.84%..........3.53%...21.00%

The “Grossed Up Rates” on the left hand side of the table is there for comparison so that you clearly see the rate that you would need to receive from an alternative deposit product where all the interest earned is subject to DIRT at 27%.

The return shown on the right hand side of the table is the rate that you actually get paid by the NTMA’s Savings Certificate – it is in effect the “after tax” rate - no tax is payable on the NTMA’s Savings Certificate so no need to complete a tax return either.

The title “An Post Savings Certificates” is not accurate as An Post is a selling agent for the range of NTMA State Savings products and they simply provide a counter service to collect money on behalf of the NTMA – savings never reside with An Post but instead are transferred immediately to the Government under the management of the NTMA.

jackofspades · 22-05-2011 6:24pm

Hi guys,

I have 10k of cash to invest which I'm looking to spread across a range of asset classes for diversification benefit. I'm looking to at a 25 year investment horizon and creating a glide path high in equities at the beginning to more of a bond centric one at the end of life cycle.

What I am looking for is some advice in relation to greenchip stocks and funds. I believe that it is an interesting time to begin to make an investment in these, but do not have any knowledge of alternative energy sources or more importantly their market.

Duffy the Vampire Slayer · 04-06-2011 2:31pm

What are the difficulties in investing in American shares from Ireland? A friend who regularly invests explained it all to me before but I can't recall most of what he said.

mags1962 · 02-08-2011 10:32pm

Hi All, have had 10k in an Irish Life Property Fund for the last 6 years but now it's down to about 6k and I am wondering what to do next.
Should I cash in and invest in something else or stick it out. The other half wants to cash it in but it's a lot to lose and I am not sure.
Any advice welcome either way.

marky1 · 05-08-2011 11:36pm

Hi all, I have looked into High Yeild Investment programs and they look attractive. I have done the due diligence and spent a couple of weeks researching it. I am considering taking the plung and putting in a few Euro. Has anyone had an experience with them whether it be good bad or indifferent?

DessieMG · 06-08-2011 1:05pm

Ok, so recently Bank Of Irelnd shares fell to € 0.09c per shares, I eard that at one stage during the boom they were valued at €16 per share. I'm only young and have a bit of cash to spend, around €300, which would buy 3333 shares, I'm not expecting them to reach the collosal heights they did several years back but I'm just wondering if this would be a good investment considering that if the bank goes bust it's only €300, and that over the course of 7-10 years €300 is very insignificant,

I'm just wondering what your opinions are on this, good idea, bad idea?

also, do you have to pay tax on any profits you make from shares? what is the rate?

marky1 · 06-08-2011 3:47pm

Hi Denise, I see you are interested in buying shares in BOI. You are coorect in thinking they were worth $16 each during the boom but have now all but collapsed. BOI are on the brink of going into full state control and investing in them would be incredibly risky. The markets are very volitile at the moment with shares prices bouncing up and down. Long term it may very well be a good investment but no one can predict the state of the market in the next month let alone over the long term.

To buy share in BOI or any share on the Irish Stock Exchange you would normally have to go to a broker however they will have a minimum investment amount that is usually in the few thousand.

Have you ever heard of spread betting? It basically allows you to bet on the price of a stock/share/bond/gilt etc for a small amount of money and depending what way you bet determines how much you win or lose. I would no recommend it unless you have done your research or are confident of your knowledge of the market.

Regard tax I'm afraid under the current Irsh tax rules you would be liable to Capital Gains Tax or CGT. The current rate is 25% of the profit you make. Heres the good news, you are allowed 1,270 euro tax free on your profit. If you have a spouse then you can transfer a portion of your shares to them and they can also claim another 1,270 euro credit. For example, if you buy your shares for 300 and sell them for 3,000 then your gain is 2,700. You will be taxed at 25% which is 675. This is less then the 1,270 relief so your tax bill is zero.

The spread betting is not currently subject to tax as it is exempt from tax.

I know this is probably a lot of info but please do not get disheartened, there are some good investments out there its just a mateer of finding them.

Best of luck

DessieMG · 06-08-2011 10:57pm

marky1 wrote: »

Hi Denise, I see you are interested in buying shares in BOI. You are coorect in thinking they were worth $16 each during the boom but have now all but collapsed. BOI are on the brink of going into full state control and investing in them would be incredibly risky. The markets are very volitile at the moment with shares prices bouncing up and down. Long term it may very well be a good investment but no one can predict the state of the market in the next month let alone over the long term.

To buy share in BOI or any share on the Irish Stock Exchange you would normally have to go to a broker however they will have a minimum investment amount that is usually in the few thousand.

Have you ever heard of spread betting? It basically allows you to bet on the price of a stock/share/bond/gilt etc for a small amount of money and depending what way you bet determines how much you win or lose. I would no recommend it unless you have done your research or are confident of your knowledge of the market.

Regard tax I'm afraid under the current Irsh tax rules you would be liable to Capital Gains Tax or CGT. The current rate is 25% of the profit you make. Heres the good news, you are allowed 1,270 euro tax free on your profit. If you have a spouse then you can transfer a portion of your shares to them and they can also claim another 1,270 euro credit. For example, if you buy your shares for 300 and sell them for 3,000 then your gain is 2,700. You will be taxed at 25% which is 675. This is less then the 1,270 relief so your tax bill is zero.

The spread betting is not currently subject to tax as it is exempt from tax.

I know this is probably a lot of info but please do not get disheartened, there are some good investments out there its just a mateer of finding them.

Best of luck

Thanks Marky1, so I could not just walk into a BOI branch and ask to buy shares to the value of 300e?

marky1 · 07-08-2011 1:27pm

I'm afraid not, you can ring customer service to confirm. You can have a look at the NTMA or NAMA websites, maybe you can find a a deal there. An Post bonds or a rabodirect savings account would probably be a better option. Oh, I think Permanent TSB offer 4% APR for online savings account with no fixed term. It won't make you a millionaire but its a decent return

danoc · 07-08-2011 10:42pm

Hi,

I would like to start buying shares in about a year. I want to start by buying about 500 euro worth of shares at a time. Is there a stockbroker or anywhere good for me to go in Dublin city centre to do this? I do not want to do it online.

Thanks.

AstonMartin · 16-08-2011 6:50pm

Im looking for a site that is easy to navigate that gives me the percentage change in opening and closing prices for the ftse on each day for the previous 6 months.

thanks.

ronaldo2011 · 25-08-2011 1:44pm

You can get free charts and info on the FTSE100 index here
http://uk.finance.yahoo.com/q?s=%5EFTSE

ronaldo2011 · 25-08-2011 1:48pm

AstonMartin wrote: »

Im looking for a site that is easy to navigate that gives me the percentage change in opening and closing prices for the ftse on each day for the previous 6 months.

thanks.

If you sign up to a free demo account with spreadbetting company, you get free charts of most of the major index and equities. You can also look at bloomberg.com for live prices.

YumCha · 27-08-2011 2:45pm

I want to buy a small amount (500 - 1000 euro) of shares for just one company in the UK.

I don't plan on making any further trades or investments and I don't mind whether it's done online or offline - I just want to keep the fees down given the small amount.

What would be the best way to go about it?

ronaldo2011 · 27-08-2011 6:19pm

YumCha wrote: »

I want to buy a small amount (500 - 1000 euro) of shares for just one company in the UK.

I don't plan on making any further trades or investments and I don't mind whether it's done online or offline - I just want to keep the fees down given the small amount.

What would be the best way to go about it?

You can buy shares on Iseq and LSE through the online broker sharewatch, they have the lowest fees of 0.3%.
http://www.sharewatch.com/smalltrades.php
In the USA stock markets, you can buy online through TD Ameritrade www.thinkorswim.com

Isoaxe · 30-08-2011 6:15pm

YumCha wrote: »

I want to buy a small amount (500 - 1000 euro) of shares for just one company in the UK.

I don't plan on making any further trades or investments and I don't mind whether it's done online or offline - I just want to keep the fees down given the small amount.

What would be the best way to go about it?

You are much better off buying in index (e.g. FTSE100) through an ETF if you want to make one purchase. That way you'll get diversification at no extra cost, i.e. your risks won't be concentrated in one company. Unless there's a specific reason you want to buy that company...

whacky · 03-09-2011 9:07am

Buy gold & silver, always a good hedge against rollercoaster markets

Take physical delivery of your metals

Stoko · 14-09-2011 5:06pm

I would like to buy shares in bwinparty and 888 Holdings
What would be the most secure site to do it?

devianttrader · 15-09-2011 9:14pm

The commission charges with Irish brokers is ridiculous. Take my advice please and follow these simple steps:

Type this into your browser: www.tdameritrade.com
On the top right of the page click: Open an Account.
I can guide you every step of the way through the application if you want. Commission is 9.99/ trade! Stay away from Irish robbers.

Jaafa · 17-09-2011 8:31pm

Ok so I know next to nothing about investing but would like to learn (I'm only 18).

Basically I'd like to get together a few hundred euro and invest in something which will have a decent return in a year. Initially I thought BOI or AIB but I'm not sure about them as talks of Greece defaulting keep re-merging. (IMO it will happen in the end).

So does anyone have any advice and what is a good resource to read up on investment will I get some money together? Thanks.

devianttrader · 18-09-2011 10:32pm

Pretty hard to get a return in stocks with a few hundred. Especially in a year. If I was you i'd do some research on a good old fashioned pension account. At 18; you don't need to be weighing yourself down with serious stuff like stock trading. If you open a pension it will help take a few years off the age you need to retire, although at your age; it would probably mature long before retirement time.

Isoaxe · 18-09-2011 10:42pm

You definitely need to do some reading first. Just don't dive in without a clue of what you're doing, you'll lose money without a doubt. A good starter book is Ben Grahams 'the intelligent investor', along with a few books about how modern financial markets operate, for example the 'economists guide to financial markets' (part of the economist's magazine's series of books).

Jaafa · 19-09-2011 8:18pm

Thanks for the replies folks and don't worry I have no intention of diving in without any research. Isoaxe thanks for the recommendations. Do you know of any online resources too?

WooPeeA · 19-09-2011 8:41pm

4,95 / transaction with Zecco

Isoaxe · 19-09-2011 11:31pm

Jaafa wrote: »

Thanks for the replies folks and don't worry I have no intention of diving in without any research. Isoaxe thanks for the recommendations. Do you know of any online resources too?

Well it depends on what you want the online resources for. Personally, I use books to accumulate all of my background knowledge. However, to keep up to date with current events, I use Bloomberg, Reuters and the Wall Street Journal (Note restricted access to the WSJ without a paid subscription). Finally, I have a subscription to The Economist, which provides excellent economic and financial analysis.

If you want to build a trial portfolio without any money down, you should try a portfolio tracker/simulator. There are many available, a good one to try (for free) is on Google Finance. As deviant said, you would probably want more than a few hundred euros before buying individual stocks, the transaction fees will eat too much of your returns.

nowyeretalking · 19-10-2011 10:57pm

I've just inherited €40,000 and I dont know what to do with it! I have a mortgage, would I be best of paying of a lump sum on this or investing it in something for a couple of years and then pay of an even bigger lump sum in a few years. Was thinkin of buying a apartment at todays great prices for around €60000, use rent to pay of loan of €20000 and then sell again at €60000 or even €80000 if im lucky!! Dont mind taking a bit of a risk! all suggestions appreciated

RATM · 28-10-2011 1:47am

Quick question lads- I remember a website a few posters here use to get info, kinda like a Boards for Investments. I got the link from a thread here but can't find it again. American or UK run website I think, and it might have had a annual membership of $20 or so. Has lots of tips and advice from genuine small investors, kinda like an online Warren Buffet

Any ideas what it might be ? Promise I'll bookmark it this time

dfs · 17-11-2011 2:26pm

http://www.simple.ie/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Final-Wind-Brochure.pdf

I have received this investment prospective has anyone heard of this company as is a great 3-5 year investment with great returns and tax back options on your initial investment

dfs

Iberian · 28-11-2011 7:28pm

Looking for investors for distribution business in Georgia needs 280 000 - 380 000,
Turn over will be 4-8 M , profit is 3-4 %

mr.mickels · 04-12-2011 11:27pm

nowyeretalking wrote: »

I've just inherited €40,000 and I dont know what to do with it! I have a mortgage, would I be best of paying of a lump sum on this or investing it in something for a couple of years and then pay of an even bigger lump sum in a few years. Was thinkin of buying a apartment at todays great prices for around €60000, use rent to pay of loan of €20000 and then sell again at €60000 or even €80000 if im lucky!! Dont mind taking a bit of a risk! all suggestions appreciated

Gold increased 350% in last 10 years and many are tipping a sharp increase in gold prices in 6 - 12 months or so, got to be worth researching, and many are tipping silver prices to take off big time in the near future. The future of the Euro, Dollar and Pound is bleak to put it mildly, which is why metals are being promoted. Its also going to get alot more difficult to buy metals in the EU in the near future. Austria has already started putting limits on what their banks may sell, apparently the rest of EU will quietly follow this trend. Good luck with it whatever you do, personally if it was me I wouldn't be considering property in the country, todays "great" prices might look expensive next year or the year after, there is no reason to imagine prices won't stop falling.

ReallyWiggy · 05-01-2012 2:21pm

mr.mickels wrote: »

Gold increased 350% in last 10 years and many are tipping a sharp increase in gold prices in 6 - 12 months or so, got to be worth researching, and many are tipping silver prices to take off big time in the near future. The future of the Euro, Dollar and Pound is bleak to put it mildly, which is why metals are being promoted. Its also going to get alot more difficult to buy metals in the EU in the near future. Austria has already started putting limits on what their banks may sell, apparently the rest of EU will quietly follow this trend. Good luck with it whatever you do, personally if it was me I wouldn't be considering property in the country, todays "great" prices might look expensive next year or the year after, there is no reason to imagine prices won't stop falling.

How do you 'buy silver'? Its a serious question.....
Do you physically buy and sotre the commodity yourself or does the term 'buy silver' refer to investing in the silver production industry or something else?

keys101 · 26-01-2012 12:48pm

Iv been looking at getting involved in the stock market for quite some time, for the past month Iv been reading/listening to all the info i can get. Most of the info is via audiobooks as i can listen to them in work, while they've been helpful and all, I feel that most of them are for people that have at least a little bit of knowledge in the stock markets i.e. most of them talk strategies about the stock markets. Whereas I'd like to be comfortable in the terminology and other aspects of it. I have absolutely no experience in the area and sometimes the books can delve into terminology that just loses me in a second.

So can anybody recommend a book/website that would get me comfortable with the terminology/charts and everything else that comes with it. Basically I'd like to be able to watch the financial news and not be completely confused by it!

Also i was wondering if it would be a good idea for me to be trying the free trial accounts at the minute and if so would anybody be able to recommend one?

Cheers

livEwirE · 28-02-2012 5:31pm

Although I'm no expert at all and am only learning myself, I found the book "Trading For Dummies" very useful, it breaks down all of the terminology in a clear and concise form.

http://www.howthemarketworks.com/ is a great site for virtual trading! You can register and buy and sell stock without the risk:D

livEwirE · 28-02-2012 6:03pm

I am interested in setting up a trading account with one of the US sites like zecco.com or tdameritrade.com. Can someone please let me know of any good websites where I can get good solid information on which companies to invest in?

Bovriladdict · 20-03-2012 6:01pm

ReallyWiggy wrote: »

How do you 'buy silver'? Its a serious question.....
Do you physically buy and sotre the commodity yourself or does the term 'buy silver' refer to investing in the silver production industry or something else?

ReallyWiggy, there is a number of ways to benefit from gains in the value of silver. You could physically buy it which is not a great idea or you could buy it on paper from a specialist trader and hold the paper cert or you could buy an ETF based on the price of silver or you could buy a futures contract based on the price of silver or you could buy silver on an online spreadtrading platform. Lots of ways but be aware of the downside risk.

Bovriladdict · 20-03-2012 6:22pm

keys101 wrote: »

Iv been looking at getting involved in the stock market for quite some time, for the past month Iv been reading/listening to all the info i can get. Most of the info is via audiobooks as i can listen to them in work, while they've been helpful and all, I feel that most of them are for people that have at least a little bit of knowledge in the stock markets i.e. most of them talk strategies about the stock markets. Whereas I'd like to be comfortable in the terminology and other aspects of it. I have absolutely no experience in the area and sometimes the books can delve into terminology that just loses me in a second.

So can anybody recommend a book/website that would get me comfortable with the terminology/charts and everything else that comes with it. Basically I'd like to be able to watch the financial news and not be completely confused by it!

Also i was wondering if it would be a good idea for me to be trying the free trial accounts at the minute and if so would anybody be able to recommend one?

Cheers

What tends to happen is that people get overloaded with information sources and it all gets very confusing and difficult to see the way forward. The way to start is to start with a demo account and practice implementing your trading rules from the trading plan that you should write down beforehand. Ignore all the outside static/info like revoluton in the Gulf etc and focus on how the price is trending. So remember, the trend is your friend, buy low and sell high, cut your losses and let your profits run...it all sounds very obvious but takes disipline to implement these rules consistently. Maybe let me know if you need help. Happy to give you any advice I can from 20 years in the game.

Beginning to Invest - All questions go here please

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