
The more risk you take on, usually the more you stand to lose or gain. The simplest way to think about risk is how much money you are comfortable losing in exchange for seeing it gain value. How you feel about risk is important to figure out before you start investing in stocks. Understand how you feel about the risks that come with investing Stock markets are designed to move as they take in new information - the good, the bad and the OK.Ģ. And that’s why if we showed you a chart of a stock market, over the long term it rises.ĭo they rise all the time? No. Over time, stock prices tend to track underlying profit growth. If economies grow over the long run, it's fair to assume company profits in aggregate should also grow. They grow because populations (in most places) grow, and productivity (our ability to produce more goods and services with the same pair of hands) also grows. Over the long term, economies tend to grow.
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Stock markets are where we go to buy and sell shares, they are our access point for investing in stocks.īefore we get stuck into how to invest, it’s important to understand why the stock market can be a good place for your savings in the first place. In exchange for becoming an owner in a business and taking on the risk of the potential ups and downs in performance, investors have historically been rewarded with a higher rate of return on their cash and an opportunity to grow their savings. Some businesses also pay out part of their profits (known as dividends) to investors and this is another way they can share in the success of a business. And as an owner, you’ll share in the ups and downs of the business which lead to the value of stocks falling and rising over time. When you buy a share in a company, you become an owner of that company. What are stocks and why invest in them? Remember though, when you invest, your capital is at risk. If you have a long-term approach, it will likely continue to be so. Investing in the stock market has historically been a great way to do this. The aim is to make a return higher than inflation so that your real wealth grows and your purchasing power is greater in the future. Investing is about growing your wealth over the long term. This table is just for illustrative purposes only and does not use real inflation rates. ĭisclaimer: The table shows how inflation can erode savings throughout the years. Here’s an example of how rising prices can affect the value of your cash, the longer you leave it. But over a longer time frame, your savings left as cash will start losing value. This makes cash a good option for your emergency savings or money you’ll need to use soon. It’s not really a problem in the short term - £1,000 today will be close to £1,000 tomorrow or even next month. More often than not, prices will rise (in economic talk, this is inflation). Over time, the value of money and what you can buy with it, changes. Keeping cash in the bank is one way to save but when it comes to growing your savings, it’s unlikely to be the best option. Simply put, investing is putting money aside today with the aim that it will be worth more in the future. Investing is about trying to do more with your money. Investing for beginners What is investing? Build a diversified portfolio, invest regularly and don’t fiddle - check in now and again.

Time is the most important growth ingredient, the longer you can leave your investments to grow the better. 🎯 Key takeaways Investing in stocks is one of the best ways to grow your savings over the long term. And if you are still unsure of how to pick investments, speak to a qualified financial advisor to develop your own investment strategy. Our resource hub for investing in the stock market might be able to help make that blend a bit clearer for you and our guide on how to invest in stocks is a great start for a first-timer's investment decisions. These, along with your tolerance for investment risk and time horizon, should inform the mix of assets you choose for your portfolio. Remember that everyone has their own goals and unique financial circumstances. This means the value of your investments can fall as well as rise, so you might get back less than you originally invested. Before diving in, it’s important to remember when you invest, your capital is at risk. This guide will cover everything you need to know to start investing in the stock market. One of the most important factors is just getting started. If you’re just starting out, it can feel like there’s a lot to learn before you can start buying shares. Investing in the stock market is one of the best ways to grow your savings over the long term.
