Good solid investments?

[crankedup]

Following on from the 'pay your debts' thread. For those in a position to invest, for example a monthly basis and a lump sum to start, where to place the money? Gold seems to expensive now? Stocks and shares too dodgy? Bricks and mortar less said the better?
For clarity lets say the mythical investor has 250k lump and 5k monthly to invest(lucky sod).

[M001]

For the medium to long term, oil and gas companies.

[AshVX220]

I tried to find the company that has discovered the shale in Blackpool, Cuadrilla, on the stock market but couldn't.

That's who I'd invest in if I could find them, anyone no if they float or not?

[M001]

I don't think they are listed.

Providence Resources might be worth a punt as they are looking for oil in the are, Irish Sea.

[AshVX220]

ORrthe Falkland Oil and Gas Ltd (FOGL) company as well?

[crankedup]

Anyone think that 'Green Energy' is a good investment, nuclear and wind/wave?

[AshVX220]

Personaly not, and I won't invest in green on principle. I would however invest in Nuclear. Because soon the wheels will come off the green band wagon and the country will realise we need more energy and fast and Nuclear will be a sensible way to go. IMO.

[johnfm]

If it is really long term now is as good a time as any to create a £250k diversified portfolio.

Betting on oil/gas/green smallcaps - maybe 5% of that £250k.

The rest on a mix of oil, gas, tech, comms pharma, agri,mining bluechips.

[im]

Zinc

Finite resource, used in Computers etc, world demand for these items rising (China, India, S.America etc)

Get some.

[BoRED S2upid]

I don't see how the bigger shares are risky for example oil, gas even the evil banks all struggling along making billions every year can't be bad for you to hold a chunk of that? Tesco are struggling along only able to manage £1.9 Billion in the last 24 weeks I would quite happily own a share of all these.

[hornet]

im said:

Zinc

Finite resource, used in Computers etc, world demand for these items rising (China, India, S.America etc)

Get some.

Would the same not hold true for silver though? That's used in all manner of things, including consumer electronic, yet it's fallen off a cliff over the last few weeks? I know there are all sorts of conspiracy theories for that, but even so, it's rather skittish to say the least!

Personally, if you don't want to be sweating every time the business news comes on, I'd get a "Global Basics" sort of fund and forget about it. This does not constitute advice etc etc

[Bluebarge]

AshVX220 said:

I tried to find the company that has discovered the shale in Blackpool, Cuadrilla, on the stock market but couldn't.

That's who I'd invest in if I could find them, anyone no if they float or not?

They haven't got permission to extract the gas yet, and were stopped from test drilling because the tests were causing damage to buildings in nearby Blackpool; this would therefore be an extremely risky punt.

To the OP, it all depends on when you want the £ out, and what level of risk you are prepared to accept. Defensive stocks (food, pharma) make sense now but when the current crisis dies down, may underperform vs banks, for example. There is no real substitute for proper advice on this.

[im]

hornet said:

im said:

Zinc

Finite resource, used in Computers etc, world demand for these items rising (China, India, S.America etc)

Get some.

Would the same not hold true for silver though? That's used in all manner of things, including consumer electronic, yet it's fallen off a cliff over the last few weeks? I know there are all sorts of conspiracy theories for that, but even so, it's rather skittish to say the least!

Personally, if you don't want to be sweating every time the business news comes on, I'd get a "Global Basics" sort of fund and forget about it. This does not constitute advice etc etc

I'm talking about taking the long view here. All investments that you would hope would keep up with inflation can be 'skittish' in the short term.

Usual disclaimer 'This is not advice blah blah, I'm talking out of my arse etc etc'

[Ozzie Osmond]

crankedup said:

Bricks and mortar less said the better?

Not at all IMO. There's huge demand for rental properties in decent locations - 7% is nothing to be sneezed at in these troubled times.

One of the biggest causes of property stagnation is IMO the idiotic rate of Stamp Duty being charged. "Moving to London, Sir? That'll be £20,000+ stamp Duty before you even pass GO!"

[crankedup]

Liking Science Tech and Pharma, also mining, unsure about banking sector and wouldn't fancy paying 2%+ to fund management. As has been said, how much risk is acceptable - he who dares I suppose. Some really interesting replies in the responses.

[robstvr]

Bluebarge said:

AshVX220 said:

I tried to find the company that has discovered the shale in Blackpool, Cuadrilla, on the stock market but couldn't.

That's who I'd invest in if I could find them, anyone no if they float or not?

They haven't got permission to extract the gas yet, and were stopped from test drilling because the tests were causing damage to buildings in nearby Blackpool; this would therefore be an extremely risky punt.

To the OP, it all depends on when you want the £ out, and what level of risk you are prepared to accept. Defensive stocks (food, pharma) make sense now but when the current crisis dies down, may underperform vs banks, for example. There is no real substitute for proper advice on this.

I'd take some chuck away cash and put it in the shale gas prospecting co's. It's going to happen, and Blackpool will crumble regardless. Several billion investment in Lancashire could help.

The benefit of Paharma is that some tiny company farting about with skin cream for peanuts could find a cure for baldness (or whatever, but you get me). It's worth spreading a bit over a load of these little guys, say 5 - 10% overall.

Edited by robstvr on Wednesday 5th October 19:04

[dcb]

crankedup said:

Liking Science Tech and Pharma, also mining, unsure about banking sector and wouldn't fancy paying 2%+ to fund management. As has been said, how much risk is acceptable - he who dares I suppose. Some really interesting replies in the responses.

Depends on your age and your attitude to risk.

If you are young and aren't that worried about risky investments,
by all means splodge the lot in shares in a few companies.
Bags of risk, but possible high returns. Young Tarquin,
driving a Maserati, would like these kind of things.

Less risky is a monthly drip feed into equity unit trusts.
Some perfectly reasonable deals available. Obviously
UTs that invest in one geographic area only are more risky than
ones that spread the risk over various areas of the world.
Sensible Colin, shopping at Tescos would be an ideal customer
for this kind of thing.

If you are nearing pension age, and/or risk adverse, there
are prospects in the area of corporate bonds. All good safe
stuff. Derek, shopping at M'n'S and not keen to lose a penny,
can be found here.

Even less risky than that are real widows 'n' orphans stuff like
Gilts. Mrs Miggins and her two cats territory.

This completes my inpromptu survey of the investment world.
There are many shades of grey.

[WhoseGeneration]

Then there's the leftfield approach.
Art, research and try to find those who will become the future Traceys and Damiens.
As this is PH, which cars will appreciate and become even more collectable.
The market for both is worldwide.
Caveat, what do I know.

[Roger Dodger]

WhoseGeneration said:

Then there's the leftfield approach.
Art, research and try to find those who will become the future Traceys and Damiens.
As this is PH, which cars will appreciate and become even more collectable.
The market for both is worldwide.
Caveat, what do I know.

Art is iffy at the mo - that caveat is correct.

Read up on the latest Damien Hirst shenanigans.

[crankedup]

dcb said:

Depends on your age and your attitude to risk.

If you are young and aren't that worried about risky investments,
by all means splodge the lot in shares in a few companies.
Bags of risk, but possible high returns. Young Tarquin,
driving a Maserati, would like these kind of things.

Less risky is a monthly drip feed into equity unit trusts.
Some perfectly reasonable deals available. Obviously
UTs that invest in one geographic area only are more risky than
ones that spread the risk over various areas of the world.
Sensible Colin, shopping at Tescos would be an ideal customer
for this kind of thing.

If you are nearing pension age, and/or risk adverse, there
are prospects in the area of corporate bonds. All good safe
stuff. Derek, shopping at M'n'S and not keen to lose a penny,
can be found here.

Even less risky than that are real widows 'n' orphans stuff like
Gilts. Mrs Miggins and her two cats territory.

This completes my inpromptu survey of the investment world.
There are many shades of grey.

Like the analogies, I must be a 40% Derek with the dying embers of Tarquin who refuses to die.