Learn to invest in the company of friends: Investment Club Evening, 29 April 2010

Ever thought about investing in the stock market? And then had second thoughts when you realised you didn’t have a clue where to begin? If so, you’re not alone. A recent survey by financial software company timetotrade revealed that 70% of people would like to own shares but have never done so, due to a lack of investment education, or simply because they find the whole prospect terrifying!  If this sounds familiar, then an investment club could be just what you are looking for.

The stock market can seem a daunting place, but you don’t need to go it alone.  Get together with your friends, neighbours or colleagues to form an investment club instead.

The principle of investment clubs is simple: groups of like-minded people with some spare cash and time, form a group and pool a reasonable monthly sum which will be invested in stocks and shares. Members meet regularly to swap opinions and ideas, discuss possible investments, and then make democratic decisions about the club's portfolio. You don't need to have any experience of stock-picking or to understand the ins and outs of the City. All you need are friends with the courage to follow their convictions and the commitment to learn.

Debbie Spinks of the Sensatus Investment Club says, “I joined an investment club four years ago and haven’t looked back. From knowing nothing about the stock market I now know how to value a company, time investment decisions and manage my own share portfolio.  With work and family commitments I only have time to research and keep track of a couple of companies each month, but in the investment club we have 11 members all keeping their eyes on the market and researching stocks.  Everyone in the club brings different experiences and perspectives so we are all able to learn from each other.  As a team we can achieve far more than we can as individuals and we’ve actually beaten the market and outperformed most fund managers over the last two years”

If you would like to learn more about investing, how to set up your own investment club or would like to join an already established club, volunteers from the UK’s investment club community will be holding an “Introduction to Investing” evening on Thursday 29th April 2010 at ExCeL London.

Tickets can be booked in advance using this link: http://www.theinformationexchange.com/IX_Investor_2010/invest_club.html

The event brings together amateur investors and investment club members who will share their experiences and to show you how you can get your own investment club started and make money no matter what the economic climate.

This event will...

• Inspire you to take charge of your finances
• Give you the best knowledge in investing for your financial future
• Give you the essentials for setting up your own investment club
• Help to gain useful tips and knowledge from experiences of investment club members
• Start you off with an action plan for setting up your first club meeting

The speakers will share their knowledge, experience and wisdom and show you how you can get your own investment group together. You will learn how to set up and run your own investment club and set it up for success!

Everybody is welcome to attend: whether you just want to find out a little bit more about investment clubs, are thinking about setting up an investment club or are already a member of a long established club.

The evening starts at 6pm and will take place at the ExCeL London, One Western Gateway, Royal Victoria Dock, London E16 1XL.  The event is run in association with The IX Investor Show.  The evening is FREE to attend, but you do need to pre-register beforehand to guarantee entry.

To find out more, and reserve your place email info@sensatus.com or telephone 01273 624 333 or visit www.theinformationexchange.com

If you would like more information about how to set up an investment club, timetotrade (the UK’s leading online investment club accounting software) have prepared a FREE Guide to Investment Clubs.  To claim your free copy please email info@sensatus.com

INTRODUCTION TO INVESTING EVENING 2010

PROGRAMME

6.00pm A Beginners Guide to Investing - Dary McGovern (timetotrade)
Completely new to investing? Don’t know your bulls from your pegs?  This “back to basics” session will explain all!

6.30pm Why Set Up An Investment Club - Mark Goodson (author of The Motley Fools Guide to Investment Clubs)
Whether you’re new to investing or an experienced investor, find out why an investment club could be just what you are looking for.

7.00pm How to Set Up an Investment Club? - Michael Carstens (Vine Investment Club)
Setting up your own club is easy.  This session provides a step by step guide on how to set up your own successful investment club.

7.30pm Investment Club Exhibition
Meet and quiz members of existing investment clubs, share ideas and exchange tips and strategies.

Further Information

About Investment Clubs

Investment clubs are groups of individual investors (typically friends, family, neighbours or work colleagues) who meet together on a regular basis, pooling money and knowledge to make joint investments. Clubs typically invest in the stock market, but can also invest in alternative assets such as property, gold, fine wine or art. Club members usually contribute between £25 to £50 per month towards club funds and at monthly club meetings members present research on specific companies, select stocks to buy and discuss and explore new investment ideas and strategies. Clubs provide a fun and supportive environment in which to learn about investing with a group of like minded individuals, with the additional benefits of shared knowledge, diversification, increased buying power and reduced dealing costs compared to investing alone. There are approximately 12,000 investment clubs in the UK.