Shares suit a wide variety of investment strategies, although they can carry higher risks than funds. Because of this, they're more suitable for experienced investors.
The value of investments can fall as well as rise and you could get back less than you invest. If you’re not sure about investing, seek independent advice.
Are you trying to decide whether or not you should invest in shares? Here are some of the things that you need to consider before you take the plunge. If you’re not sure that investing in shares is right for you, seek independent advice.
Putting your money into shares can seem daunting if you’re a newcomer to stockmarket investing. This essential introduction to shares lays bare the basics to help you understand exactly what’s involved.
Once you’ve decided you’re comfortable with the risks involved in investing in shares, your next step is to start building your portfolio. Read on to find out about the different ways you can buy shares.
You've snapped up some shares and now you're looking for some price movement action. But what factors will make that happen? And because what goes up can just as easily come down, what factors might cause the price to plummet?
All investments incur some charges and it’s no different with buying and selling shares. We outline what costs you need to consider when it comes to trading stocks.
The size of the companies you invest in can affect the risk and returns. We examine the key characteristics of larger, medium-sized and smaller companies.
With low interest rates, it appears very likely that dividend-paying shares will remain popular among yield hungry UK investors. Here’s what you need to know.
Investing in equities isn’t just a matter of deciding which shares or funds to buy and which markets to buy them in. Investors, professional or otherwise, will typically have their own style, strategy and long-term goals which will underpin their decisions. We examine five of the most popular.
Any corporate action can lead to share price movement. It's important you understand the different types of corporate action a company might initiate and how these could affect your investments.
Find out about new company shares with this guide to IPOs and share offers.
Find out what initial public offerings (IPOs) are, learn how they typically work, and see what to watch out for before you invest.
Retail bond new issues are similar to IPOs in that they're a way for companies to raise money and they offer the public a chance to invest in their future prospects. We explain how they work.
Most investors love the ease of online share dealing. But what should you do about certificates? We explain what you need to know.
Barclays Life Planner aims to help with your financial planning. Based on your goals and circumstances, it projects how your savings or investments could potentially perform in the future.
Stay up to date with the latest investment strategies from independent industry experts and our own professionals. We explore a wide range of different ideas and approaches so that you can work out the best investment plan for you.
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Always remember that investments can fall in value. You may get back less than you invest.
Plan & Invest is a new service which creates and manages a personalised Investment Plan just for you. Whether your long-term goal is home improvements, retirement or just building a nest egg, all you have to do is tell us a bit about yourself and then let our experts select and manage your investments.
To choose and manage your own investments from a range of funds, shares, ETFs and bonds, get started today by simply opening up an Investment (Stocks & Shares) ISA, Investment Account or SIPP Account with Smart Investor.
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Use our online chat service to discuss your query with a member of our team.
If you have any questions, you can give us a call on 0800 279 36671.
You have the choice of thousands of investments to help you achieve your financial goals. Once you’ve opened one of our accounts, we offer you various ways to explore and find the right investments for you.