Latest news with #HollyMead
Scottish Sun
21-07-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Share price tips! How to turn £25 into £12,609 – three stocks to invest in NOW
Sun reader Megan Norman reveals how she managed to grow her savings by 18 per cent in just four years by savvy investing CASH COW Share price tips! How to turn £25 into £12,609 – three stocks to invest in NOW Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) INVESTING isn't just for the super wealthy, you can start with as little as a quid - and buying shares is a good place to start. Investing pro Holly Mead, who has 14 years' experience, exclusively reveals her tips with Sun readers below - and shares how you could grow your pot from £25 to £12,609 in 20 years. 6 Investing can be a great way of boosting your savings - but beware of the risks and do your research Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 6 Investing expert Holly Mead has top tips for dipping into the stock market Credit: The Times Investing in the wrong companies could see you lose your hard-earned cash - but the right ones could see your savings soar. The first thing to do is to check if you have enough money to start. Experts say you should have three to six months' worth of wages in a savings account you can access before you begin investing. You can start with just £1, but how much you can make depends on how much you invest and where. If you invested £25 into the FTSE 100, which is the collective name for the 100 largest UK companies by value, you could turn £25 into £4,465 after 10 years, assuming that your investment grew at a rate of 5 per cent a year after charges. Over 20 years, that pot would grow to £12,609. Picking the right companies to invest in is therefore really important. So how do you do it? Here, Holly explains. What type of investor are you? New investors often choose a ready-made fund, which is where an expert does the hard work and chooses a mix of assets to invest in, including company shares, bonds, property and gold. This can be a lower-risk way of investing, because your money is spread across lots of different investments. But many people like the idea of choosing for themselves where their money goes. This can feel more exciting, and means you know you are backing businesses you really believe in. So if you want to pick your own businesses to invest in, start by opening a stocks and shares Isa. You can invest up to £20,000 each tax year in these accounts and any gains you make are tax-free. Many investing apps let you open an account with £25 or less. Read reviews and check the fees you will be charged before selecting an app. For example, NatWest charges a fee of 0.55% of the value of your investment. That works out at 55p for every £100 of your investments. In comparison, Barclays charges a 0.25% fee, which works out at 25p for every £100 you invest. Some offer free research or 'best buy' lists of funds and stocks they expect to do well, which can help narrow down your choices. Be a bookworm before investing Research the companies you are considering backing. Use sites like Investegate to read the latest reports and accounts. Look at a company's 'fundamentals' - which means checking things like whether it is profitable, if sales and customer numbers are growing, and making sure it doesn't have too much debt. Have a solid reason for investing - maybe the company has developed cutting-edge technology or is a leader in its industry - don't just invest because everyone else is. Choosing something you know can be a good starting point. Maybe you are a loyal customer because you believe it is better than any of its competitors, or you know a lot about a certain sector because you work in that industry - this extra knowledge can help you make more informed choices. Once you have picked, it's as simple as selecting the stock and choosing the amount you want to invest. You can usually invest a one-off sum, or set up a regular investing plan where you put in a set amount each month. What are the risks? BEFORE you start investing, you need to understand the risks. The return you make will depend on how much you invest and where. As we have seen recently, the stock market can dramatically fall. The American stock market saw its biggest drop since the start of the Covid pandemic after US President Donald Trump announced plans to introduce punitive tariffs on goods imported to the US from other countries. The UK's own stock market, the FTSE 100, fell by more than 10 per cent after the news. You must be prepared to lose it all - so only invest money you can afford to lose. You need to be willing to invest cash for at least five years to mitigate any dips and allow your money to recover. If you can't afford to lock up your money for this long, investing may not be right for you. It's usually better to drip feed money into your investments instead of putting down a big chunk of money in one go. Three stocks to consider right now Marks & Spencer 6 A huge cyberattack hit M&S in April, but the British stalwart still has plenty going for it. In its latest results, M&S reported pre-tax profits were up 22% to £875 million in the year to March. It is undergoing a transformation plan, which includes overhauling its clothing division and expanding its food stores. Tom Stevenson, investment director at Fidelity International, says the stock was the fourth most-bought by Fidelity users in April. He said: 'The continued popularity of M&S, even after a widely publicised cyberattack, highlights investor confidence in its long-term prospects.' The share price is up 250 per cent over five years, currently trading at 339p. Three things to always remember when investing Ben Kumar, head of equity strategy at the wealth manager, 7IM, says: 1. There is no right way to invest "We all have different views on things, and that's true in investing too. "The key is to be clear on your reasons for investing: that could be because you like the company's ethos, you know about the sector, or because it pays a dividend." 2. You will get things wrong "Even the best investors make bad choices. "What's important is how you behave after that happens - keep calm, take stock, do your research, and try to decide whether it will recover and you should stick it out, or whether it's time to cut your losses. 3. Enjoy it "Stock investing is risky, but that is also what makes it exciting. "There is a real buzz about having the chance to own a piece of a business that is doing well." Crowdstrike 6 Tech stocks can be exciting, but make sure they're not just the latest fad. Lale Akoner, global market analyst at eToro, says: 'Companies in software, cloud, and digital infrastructure enjoy steady income and strong demand from businesses investing in AI and digital upgrades.' If the M&S cyberattack taught investors anything, it's that security is key for businesses. Akoner points to Crowdstrike, a US-based cybersecurity firm, as one option. '[It] could offer consistent long-term growth without any exposure to tariffs or currency volatility," he says. Crowdstrike shares dropped last year after a faulty upgrade for customers, but its latest results reported that sales were up 20% to $1.1 billion. Shares have risen 27.5% over the past year to $505, and are up 389% over five years. Bear in mind that exchange rates can affect your returns when investing in overseas stocks. Legal & General 6 Insurance companies might not sound as exciting, but they should be a steady choice as their services are always needed, says Akoner. This makes the earnings of these businesses predictable and reliable. Legal & General is one of the UK's biggest insurers, founded in 1836. In its latest financial results, the firm said operating profit had increased by 6% to more than £1.6billion, helped by record sales of annuities (a type of financial product that pays an income in retirement). L&G shares are up 19% over the past year to 250p, and it also pays a dividend (when a company gives out some of its profits to investors), which can boost your returns. And one to avoid Nike 6 From collaborations with sporting legends such as Michael Jordan and Serena Williams, and the rise of the ath-leisure fashion trend, Nike looked to have it all. But Kumar thinks the brand is now being left behind by companies focusing on high-performance sports gear like the running shoe specialists Hoka and On. In its latest results, Nike said sales were down 9% at $11.6 billion. Shares have dropped 35 per cent over the past year to $76.37 and Kumar thinks they could fall further. He said: 'Nike's sales are expected to fall 10% this year, and its earnings are expected to fall by nearly 50%. For investors, it's a case of: don't do it.'
The Sun
21-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Share price tips! How to turn £25 into £12,609 – three stocks to invest in NOW
INVESTING isn't just for the super wealthy, you can start with as little as a quid - and buying shares is a good place to start. Investing pro Holly Mead, who has 14 years' experience, exclusively reveals her tips with Sun readers below - and shares how you could grow your pot from £25 to £12,609 in 20 years. 6 Investing in the wrong companies could see you lose your hard-earned cash - but the right ones could see your savings soar. The first thing to do is to check if you have enough money to start. Experts say you should have three to six months' worth of wages in a savings account you can access before you begin investing. You can start with just £1, but how much you can make depends on how much you invest and where. If you invested £25 into the FTSE 100, which is the collective name for the 100 largest UK companies by value, you could turn £25 into £4,465 after 10 years, assuming that your investment grew at a rate of 5 per cent a year after charges. Over 20 years, that pot would grow to £12,609. Picking the right companies to invest in is therefore really important. So how do you do it? Here, Holly explains. What type of investor are you? New investors often choose a ready-made fund, which is where an expert does the hard work and chooses a mix of assets to invest in, including company shares, bonds, property and gold. This can be a lower-risk way of investing, because your money is spread across lots of different investments. But many people like the idea of choosing for themselves where their money goes. This can feel more exciting, and means you know you are backing businesses you really believe in. So if you want to pick your own businesses to invest in, start by opening a stocks and shares Isa. You can invest up to £20,000 each tax year in these accounts and any gains you make are tax-free. Many investing apps let you open an account with £25 or less. Read reviews and check the fees you will be charged before selecting an app. For example, NatWest charges a fee of 0.55% of the value of your investment. That works out at 55p for every £100 of your investments. In comparison, Barclays charges a 0.25% fee, which works out at 25p for every £100 you invest. Some offer free research or 'best buy' lists of funds and stocks they expect to do well, which can help narrow down your choices. Be a bookworm before investing Research the companies you are considering backing. Use sites like Investegate to read the latest reports and accounts. Look at a company's 'fundamentals' - which means checking things like whether it is profitable, if sales and customer numbers are growing, and making sure it doesn't have too much debt. Have a solid reason for investing - maybe the company has developed cutting-edge technology or is a leader in its industry - don't just invest because everyone else is. Choosing something you know can be a good starting point. Maybe you are a loyal customer because you believe it is better than any of its competitors, or you know a lot about a certain sector because you work in that industry - this extra knowledge can help you make more informed choices. Once you have picked, it's as simple as selecting the stock and choosing the amount you want to invest. You can usually invest a one-off sum, or set up a regular investing plan where you put in a set amount each month. What are the risks? BEFORE you start investing, you need to understand the risks. The return you make will depend on how much you invest and where. As we have seen recently, the stock market can dramatically fall. The American stock market saw its biggest drop since the start of the Covid pandemic after US President Donald Trump announced plans to introduce punitive tariffs on goods imported to the US from other countries. The UK's own stock market, the FTSE 100, fell by more than 10 per cent after the news. You must be prepared to lose it all - so only invest money you can afford to lose. You need to be willing to invest cash for at least five years to mitigate any dips and allow your money to recover. If you can't afford to lock up your money for this long, investing may not be right for you. It's usually better to drip feed money into your investments instead of putting down a big chunk of money in one go. Marks & Spencer 6 A huge cyberattack hit M&S in April, but the British stalwart still has plenty going for it. In its latest results, M&S reported pre-tax profits were up 22% to £875 million in the year to March. It is undergoing a transformation plan, which includes overhauling its clothing division and expanding its food stores. Tom Stevenson, investment director at Fidelity International, says the stock was the fourth most-bought by Fidelity users in April. He said: 'The continued popularity of M&S, even after a widely publicised cyberattack, highlights investor confidence in its long-term prospects.' The share price is up 250 per cent over five years, currently trading at 339p. Three things to always remember when investing Ben Kumar, head of equity strategy at the wealth manager, 7IM, says: 1. There is no right way to invest "We all have different views on things, and that's true in investing too. "The key is to be clear on your reasons for investing: that could be because you like the company's ethos, you know about the sector, or because it pays a dividend." 2. You will get things wrong "Even the best investors make bad choices. "What's important is how you behave after that happens - keep calm, take stock, do your research, and try to decide whether it will recover and you should stick it out, or whether it's time to cut your losses. 3. Enjoy it "Stock investing is risky, but that is also what makes it exciting. "There is a real buzz about having the chance to own a piece of a business that is doing well." Crowdstrike 6 Tech stocks can be exciting, but make sure they're not just the latest fad. Lale Akoner, global market analyst at eToro, says: 'Companies in software, cloud, and digital infrastructure enjoy steady income and strong demand from businesses investing in AI and digital upgrades.' If the M&S cyberattack taught investors anything, it's that security is key for businesses. Akoner points to Crowdstrike, a US-based cybersecurity firm, as one option. '[It] could offer consistent long-term growth without any exposure to tariffs or currency volatility," he says. Crowdstrike shares dropped last year after a faulty upgrade for customers, but its latest results reported that sales were up 20% to $1.1 billion. Shares have risen 27.5% over the past year to $505, and are up 389% over five years. Bear in mind that exchange rates can affect your returns when investing in overseas stocks. Legal & General 6 Insurance companies might not sound as exciting, but they should be a steady choice as their services are always needed, says Akoner. This makes the earnings of these businesses predictable and reliable. Legal & General is one of the UK's biggest insurers, founded in 1836. In its latest financial results, the firm said operating profit had increased by 6% to more than £1.6billion, helped by record sales of annuities (a type of financial product that pays an income in retirement). L&G shares are up 19% over the past year to 250p, and it also pays a dividend (when a company gives out some of its profits to investors), which can boost your returns. And one to avoid Nike 6 From collaborations with sporting legends such as Michael Jordan and Serena Williams, and the rise of the ath-leisure fashion trend, Nike looked to have it all. But Kumar thinks the brand is now being left behind by companies focusing on high-performance sports gear like the running shoe specialists Hoka and On. In its latest results, Nike said sales were down 9% at $11.6 billion. Shares have dropped 35 per cent over the past year to $76.37 and Kumar thinks they could fall further. He said: 'Nike's sales are expected to fall 10% this year, and its earnings are expected to fall by nearly 50%. For investors, it's a case of: don't do it.' 'My trick to investing that you can do too' MEGAN Norman has boosted her savings to £69,000 in four years by investing in tech companies and fat jab manufacturers. She set up an account in 2021 with the trading platform Etoro and tried to focus on picking companies that she believed would stand the test of time. Her pot has grown 18 per cent in just three months, since US president Donald Trump announced his global trade tariffs. Now, £69,000 is sitting in her account. Even if Megan did not invest any more money, if her £69,000 pot grew at 5% a year, in 10 years she could have almost £114,000. 'I was attracted to the idea of making large sums of money very quickly by investing in things like oil and crypto, but I soon realised that was not for me,' says Megan, 30, who lives in Bedfordshire. 'Rather than a 'get rich quick' approach, I look for areas that are strong and that I believe in. I want companies that have been around for a while, have good financials, and whose services will always be in demand,' she says. Megan, who works as an aesthetics practitioner and administers botox, trades fairly regularly and currently has five stocks in her portfolio, including the chipmaker ASML, the bitcoin mining company CleanSpark and the cyber security firm Crowdstrike. One of her best investments has been Novo Nordisk, which she bought as weight loss drugs started to gain popularity. Megan used Investopedia to build her basic knowledge of investing, and now uses websites like Finviz and Tradingview to research companies, as well as the tools on the Etoro app. 'Investing has been great for me - it's built my confidence and given me a sense of belief in myself,' says Megan. 'For anyone considering starting, I would say, you need to understand that your money is at risk and be ok with that. But I really believe that time in the market, not timing the market, is what works.'
The Sun
01-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Our ultimate beginners guide to investing – how to turn £100 into £19k and three must-follow tips
INVESTING isn't just for the super rich, you can start with as little as £1 - and the earlier you get going, the more your money can grow. Here Holly Mead, who has 14 years of experience writing about investing, helps you get started with her ultimate guide to getting started. 1 Firstly, do you have enough money to invest? Experts say you should have three to six months' worth of wages in a savings account you can access before you start. And are you prepared to lose it all. Once you've had this frank chat with yourself you can get going. You need to be willing to invest cash for at least five years to mitigate any dips and allow your money to recover. You can start with as little as £1 - but the returns you make will depend on how much you invest and where. If you invested £25 a month in a cautious fund, after 10 years you could have £3,337 and if you chose an adventurous fund you could have £4,599, according to Moneybox. If you invested £50 a month in a 'balanced' fund, after 10 years you could have £8,802 and investing £100 a month in the same fund could grow to £17,801. But put £100 a month into an 'adventurous' fund and it could grow to a hefty £18,990 after 10 years. Where to start For a new investor, choosing a ready-made fund is often the simplest way to get started. Others, like Hargreaves Lansdown and AJ Bell, have ready made 'mult-asset' funds, which invest in a range of different things such as company shares, bonds issued by governments or companies, and gold. Having a diverse spread of investments can help reduce the risk of ups and downs. 'People think you're rich if you invest, but that's not true' MARTHA Burns started investing in June 2023 after watching YouTube videos about how to get started. 'I have always saved and made sure I had enough for a rainy day, but I wanted my money to grow,' she said. Martha, 39, who lives in Bermondsey, London, opened an account with investment firm Vanguard and set up a direct debit to invest £100 a month. She chose the Vanguard US Equity Index fund, which tracks more than 3,500 American companies. It would have grown a £1,000 investment to £2,172 over five years. 'I wanted to invest in America because it is the most important economy in the world. I knew it had performed well and believe it will continue to do so,' said Martha, a comedian. She selected Vanguard after reading positive reviews about the company and seeing it had low fees. It charges £4 a month for a Stocks and Shares Isa plus her fund fee of 0.1 per cent. She plans to leave her money invested for at least 20 years and hopes she will be able to invest more in the future. In less than two years, Martha's pot has grown to more than £2,200. 'The moment you mention that you invest, people assume you are secretly loaded, but that is not the case. "You can start with a small amount and it is easier than you think,' said Martha. But what type of investor do you want to be? 'Cautious' or lower-risk funds have a smaller proportion invested in the stock market and more in government bonds and gold. 'Adventurous' funds have more in the stock market, which can mean greater returns but also more risk. 'Balanced' funds are somewhere in the middle. It is important to check what your fund invests in before you commit any money to make sure you feel comfortable. Most apps let you set up a direct debit to invest a set amount each month, so you don't have to remember to do it. This can help boost your returns over the long-term because it means you invest consistently, even when the stock market falls. Sarah Coles from Hargreaves Lansdown said: 'Don't feel you have to be able to go on Mastermind with investing as your special subject to get started. "If you set up a direct debit into a diverse fund, like a multi-asset fund, and pay into it gradually, you will be surprised how it can build over time.' The best apps to use Choosing the right app or website for you can be confusing as there are a lot out there. When deciding, it is important to look at the fees and the minimum amount you need to invest. Check that it offers the types of investment you want, see if you like the look and feel of the app, and read reviews from other users. Wealthify is a good option for newbies as you can start investing with just £1. You choose how much you want to invest, how confident you are and whether you want ethical investments, and it does the rest. It charges 0.6% a year plus the cost of your fund. Nutmeg is a popular option but you will need £500 to get started. Its 'fixed allocation' option invests your money based on the level of risk you want to take, with five options from low to high. For a £500 investment it charges 0.65% a year, which is about £3.25. Companies like Hargreaves Lansdown and AJ Bell are popular with people who want to be more hands-on in choosing the funds and shares they invest in, and offer a huge amount of choice as well as best buy lists to help you whittle down the option. Be aware of risk IF you have enough cash savings to invest - then the returns are impressive. On average, since 1899 the stock market has delivered an average return of 4.8% a year, compared to an average of 0.5% if you kept your money in cash savings, according to Barclays. That means if you had put £100 in the stock market in 1899 it would be worth £31,888 in real terms today, while the same amount put in cash would be worth just £190. But as we have seen recently, the stock market can also fall. The American stock market saw its biggest drop since the start of the Covid pandemic after US President Donald Trump announced plans to introduce punitive tariffs on goods imported to the US from other countries. The UK's own stock market, the FTSE 100, fell by more than 10 per cent after the news. This is only actually a problem if you need to access your money but if you've got a long-term savings goal then the market will usually bounce back. Ups and downs in the market are called 'volatility', but the idea is that over the long-term you can ride out these bumps and your money will grow, although it can feel uncomfortable at the time. That means it is crucial that anyone considering investing is willing to tie their money up for a minimum of five years, as this gives your investments time to recover from any dips. You do need to be prepared to lose it all. How much does it cost? There are two main costs to be aware of when investing. Firstly, you will pay a fee for the app or website you use - this is either a flat rate per month or year, or a percentage of the amount you invest. For example, if you invested £500 and the fee was 0.5%, this would be £2.50 a year - although be sure to check whether there is a minimum charge. Then you will also pay for the actual investments you choose. This will either be a set charge each time you buy or sell an investment, or a percentage of the amount you invest. My top three investing tips for beginners BRIAN Byrnes, head of personal finance at Moneybox, shares his top tips... Set a goal: Whether it's buying a home, retiring early or simply building your wealth - set a target and a timeline for how long you expect to take to reach your goal. Try to dedicate 30 minutes a week to learning about investing topics like stock market trends and compound interest as this will help you feel more confident. Keep costs - and risks - low: Consider lower-risk options like index funds, which track a certain stock market like the FTSE 100 or S&P 500. These are often cheaper than other investments and are diversified because they invest in hundreds of companies, which helps to reduce your risk. Investing small amounts every month will help you to stay consistent. Use an ISA: Every adult can save £20,000 a year into an ISA and all the gains you make are completely tax-free. If you are saving for your first home, consider a Lifetime ISA - you can save up to £4,000 a year in these accounts and get a 25% bonus from the government. Not having to pay tax on your gains helps to accelerate your growth.
