Recruitment HomepageLibraryTop Tips For Investment

Be happy with a secure return. Envy is the enemy of good investment performance. If you can get 4pc or 5pc guaranteed then take it and ignore riskier options.

Build a portfolio of investment assets over time starting with the least risky deposits and funds before diversifying into bonds or equities.

Invest in line with your age and income profile. Young people can be heavy-weight, in equities pensioners cannot afford that luxury.

Don't believe the latest hot stock tip you hear in the pub or club. Boring equities can tend to perform well, exciting stocks often crash. There is no easy alternative to researching the businesses in which you invest.

Stick to your guns after making a good decision. If you place £5,000 on deposit for a few years you will pay the penalty if you withdraw it after a few months.

Be prepared to learn. There is a plethora of investment information available in books, magazines, newspapers, on TV and the Internet.

Have fun. Set up your own virtual investment portfolio using imaginary funds and track the performance week by week and month by month.

Join with others. Investment clubs are increasingly popular in the US, UK and now Ireland. The Irish Stock Exchange, Anglesea St, Dublin 2 has a guide to investment clubs while Profile in the UK have a good starter pack.

Don't panic. Examination of market performance shows that downturns are inevitable and can be sustained. The old rule "buy when everyone is selling and sell when everyone is buying" still holds credence.

Take it on the chin. If any investment proves to have been a bad decision, get out as soon as you can. Even if your investment value does not fall any further you may be tying up money which you could invest elsewhere.

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