Investing in Shares For Dummies

How to get in the game – and play to win

With its weird jargon, peculiar customs and complex rules and regulations, the stock market can be an intimidating place for inexperienced investors. But when it comes to wealth building, nothing outperforms shares in the long term. The quick, easy way to obtain the knowledge and skills you need to play the market and watch your profits grow, Investing in Shares For Dummies, 2nd Edition teaches you the ABCs of investing. The authors clue you in on proven share investing strategies and insights that have been market–tested and refined over many years.

Get the lie of the land – find out what shares and the stock market are all about, and whether they′re really right for you

Start out right – discover how to set realistic investing goals and start building a portfolio, as well as how to connect with a great stockbroker who can help you meet those goals

Pick the winners – learn to separate the healthy companies from the duds, including how to find and make sense of the data you′ll need to make informed decisions

Develop a winning game plan – learn some of the all–time best value investing strategies and tactics and how to use them to minimise risk while building wealth

Take advantage of hot new opportunities – get the latest on ETFs and other products, as well as tips on investing in emerging markets

Hold onto more of your money – learn insider tricks for reducing or even eliminating costly transaction fees, and strategies that let you keep more of your gains

Open the book and find:

The ins and outs of share investing

How to analyse the key markets

Tips on finding and building a relationship with a great broker

How to pick the winners

Indispensable investment strategies and tactics

Proven risk management techniques

Signs that a share price will increase

Investing in emerging markets

Learn to:

Find a stockbroker

Understand the markets

Choose the right investing strategy for you

Spot companies on the up (and down)

Part I: The Essentials of Investing in Shares 9

Chapter 1: Exploring the Basics 11

Chapter 2: Sizing Up Your Current Finances and Setting Goals 17

Chapter 3: Defi ning Common Approaches to Investing in Shares 33

Chapter 4: Assessing the Risks 43

Chapter 5: Getting to Know the Stock Markets 57

Part II: Before You Start Buying 65

Chapter 6: Gathering Information 67

Chapter 7: Finding a Stockbroker 87

Chapter 8: Investing for Growth 99

Chapter 9: Investing for Income 111

Chapter 10: Using Basic Accounting to Choose Winning Shares 123

Part III: Picking Winners 139

Chapter 11: Decoding Company Documents 141

Chapter 12: Analysing Industries 153

Chapter 13: Emerging Sector Opportunities 163

Chapter 14: Pounds, Prices and Politics 175

Part IV: Investment Strategies and Tactics 187

Chapter 15: Taking the Bull (Or Bear) by the Horns 189

Chapter 16: Choosing a Strategy That’s Just Right for You 201

Chapter 17: Using Your Broker and Trading Techniques 209

Chapter 18: Getting a Handle on DPPs, DRIPs and PCA . . . ASAP 225

Chapter 19: Looking at What the Insiders Do: Corporate Capers 235

Chapter 20: Tax Benefi ts and Liabilities 247

Chapter 21: Creating a Smarter Portfolio with Lower–Cost Funds 257

Part V: The Part of Tens 277

Chapter 22: Ten Warning Signs of a Share′s Decline 279

Chapter 23: Ten Signals of a Share Price Increase 287

Chapter 24: Ten Ways to Protect Yourself from Fraud 293

Chapter 25: Ten Challenges and Opportunities for Stock Market Investors 301

Part VI: Appendixes 307

Appendix A: Resources for Investors in Shares 309

Appendix B: Financial Ratios and Accounting Terms 319

Index 329

David Stevenson is a columnist for the Financial Times where he writes the ′Adventurous Investor′ section. He has also written three books in the Financial Times Series and is a columnist for Investors Chronicle. Paul Mladjenovic is a certified financial planner and investment consultant with many years′ experience of teaching and writing about share investment.