FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Got questions? We've got answers
You do well but you could do better if you (......)
There is no point trying to teach an old dog new tricks..
Do you trade currencies or metals..if so can you help?
Afraid not!
What makes you decide whether to take out a spreadbet instead of just buying the shares?
I use spreadbets for shorting (Ie betting on a share to go down). I also use spreadbetting to buy AIM market shares as I cannot put these shares in my ISA and I prefer to do all my trading tax free! I also use a spreadbet if say, I am fully invested in my ISAs, and finally I also use spreadbets to top up current holdings in the ISA, or finally, if a share is moving fast, sometimes it is easier to get a spreadbet on quicker to get the price than trying to buy the shares.
How do you maintain your wonderful hairstyle?
I shave every other day to maintain its gleaming streamlined look - and so hygenic too!
What happens if I am short of a share with a spreadbet and it goes bust?
Generally you should get paid out! However you may find your bet is suspended for a while until the company is officially deemed to be a bust or has gone into administration. Firms are usually sensible and will pay you out at zero or a penny once it is obvious it is a gonner. Of course spreadbet firms do vary so it might just be worth asking your particular spreadfirm.
I saw you bought a new issue.. but where do you find out about new issues and that they are going to list?
There is no one place unfortunately. The best way and the way I use is to check the news at 7ish every morning - you can then look for "Intention to list" in the headlines, companies intending to list usually release this fact at 7am so it should be quite easy to find. I usually check every day.Also I find The Times newspaper pretty good at mentioning new issues on the way, and the Sunday Times. In the end, you just have to keep your eyes open!
In your book you talk about exchange market size or electronic market size or normal market size - the amount of shares you can normally deal in without having sometimes to pay more for the shares. But this seems to have disappeared from the london stock exchange site.
Indeed it has been dropped! You can try > (14 days free trial on that link) The nms is displayed on the info page of any share aboutthree quarters down the page under "share price quote"you will see nms.Another rule of thumb is shares under a value of £100mcan be harder to buy or sell with small market sizes especially if under £25m size.The higher a market cap usually bigger the size. Once youget into the FTSE 250 about £600m and above youshould be able to deal in big amounts.
Using a SB or CFD account is it a valid strategy to short a share on "ex dividend" day on the basis that it can be expected to go down in price?
No - Spreadfirms and CFD accounts all take into account the ex dividend and it's either in the price or the dividend is deducted - no free lunch!
I want to work in the City/Get a job as a trader... etc.. can you help, how do you do it?
Afraid I have no idea! I was a journalist and I've never worked in the city and don't have any contacts there. I know that becoming a trader is quite difficult and also from books I've read it can be a horrible, stressful occupation with long hours!
I am thinking of buying/selling a certain share.. what is your opinion on this that or the other share... I have found this great one...
As I'm unregulated I simply can't discuss individual shares with you one on one as it could constitute advice .. really sorry! I think even if I was regulated I wouldn't want to discuss a share as I'd hate to influence anyone into buying or selling something then it went horribly wrong.
When I look at net debt on advfn financials it always seems really high etc..
For net debt profits etc don't look at advfn financials or rely on any website. Always go to the last company statement or report and find it there. it is the safest way of doing it. Advfn financials are often out of date as well.
I can't get your traffic lights system to work
You're probably trying to download a company report! It doesn't work on downloads.. once you have set up traffic lights from my book, click quote on any company on advfn and then press news. Then click on the last FY or interim reports and it will work!
Do you think the FTSE will go down/up, what's your view on the economy etc..
I have no idea and just follow the market rather than guess it - and indeed I don't have a view on the economy - remember markets overshoot and undershoot so understanding the economy doesn't really help!
A share went below your stop loss yet you held onto it..
Sometimes that happens.. I use the order book to make a final judgement on whether to kick a share out or not and I don't use auto stops with a broker preferring to make my own decisions.
The total of what the website has made doesn't match your trades list as I added it all up.
The totals are from when the website started back in 2000. Trade history goes back about 3 years which is about as many as the site will handle!
I've designed a spreadsheet which takes everything from your book/analyses your trades/makes tea/Can you look at it and see what you think?
Please don't send me spreadsheets of any kind. Honestly I'm just not a spreadsheet kinda guy and I won't look at it.
Help I'm losing money! What should I do? Should I sell, buy more... etc
Again can't really help except to say you need to revise your strategies and maybe even come out for a bit. This is something you have to learn for yourself over time...