IS anyone investing in stocks right now?

[CocoCorona]

Considering dabbling in this for a few weeks now. Just saw a notification about oil going down to $11 a barrel and the lowest since 1982.

Does anyone invest money in stocks and could advise? I’m not after making millions, but a couple of hundreds return would be nice in the future once this is all over. I’m sure leaders will break their backs to make sure the economy doesn’t completely fall.

I have been dabbling the past two years and have been tentatively investing these past couple months. I knew stock would suffer so kept an eye on my own investments which have been affected but still put money in while the cost was low, still in negative but earned on what I have put in recently. It is quite volatile atm. I have done much better with dc trust fund as had moved it to junior isa and only invested last month and made over 10% so far.

I initially invested in managed investment accounts with risk level indicated. Rather than any single market stock like oil.

It is worth it, but definitely do some research and do a few different investments. I use ajbell and another investment feature on an app.

More knowledgable people will come along I am sure.

Not me but my friend is seeing her FA this week to discuss changes to her portfolio in the light of the collapse. She mentioned Coca Cola dropping massively and thought she might take the opportunity to buy some.

Thanks for the info, I was looking at Coca Cola and saw it had dipped a lot. I have the trading 212 app and have been buying 1-50 shares (with pretend money) in different places to get a feel as realistically I wouldn’t be investing a lot to begin with.

Yes. I’m all in. Global trackers, whilst they are cheap.

Yes, DH is moving various things around. He self invests in individual companies. I have a mixture of company shares and funds. We are down 5% from 31st January, which compares with the 90th centile of funds so I reckon he's done okay. If it was my call we'd now be worth £12.36. We invest a set amount every month and don't hold much as cash.

Sorry, I realised I haven't answered your question! But very best of luck. I guess the rule when starting out is that thing about only investing what you can afford to lose.

I don't invest yet but have been thinking about it. Have a listen to the Suze Orman women and money podcast. There's also a great talk she does from the Apollo in Harlem where she sets out the general principles of taking control of your finances (you can find it on YouTube). She's an American finance and investment expert, and a bit brash but she talks a huge amount of common sense.

She says the key principles of investing are make sure your debt is paid off (except mortgage), and that you have a secure pension in place first before investing in the stock market. She also recommends having 8 months worth of salary in an emergency fund - when I first heard that I though why on earth? But seeing what has happened with Covid it seems like a very good idea!

Only then does she recommend investing in the market. Apparently the best way to do this is buy a set number of shares every month eg £100 (rather than one massive lump) in a global tracker fund with a low fee, rather than trying to game the market and buy individual stocks and shares. If it was possible to do this successfully we'd all be hedge fund managers! This is called pound cost averaging, and is supposed to be the best way to weather the ups and downs in share prices.

As I say, I'm not doing it yet and even though tempting given the situation, I think I'm going to save it until all my non mortgage debt is gone and I've got a substantial amount of savings. Other people with more actual experience will be along to correct me I'm sure.