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How can I invest in shares?

2nd August, 2019

History shows that few people are able to make consistently sound decisions about share investing.

There are several ways to invest in shares. If you want to invest directly it may help improve your results if you diversify by choosing shares in a range of companies, across different industries. Don’t forget to do your research on the companies before you invest.

You can also invest in shares through a managed fund or exchange traded fund (ETF). These are where your money is pooled with other investors and a professional fund manager chooses which shares to buy and sell on behalf of all the investors. This gives you access to a broader range of shares. Ongoing management fees vary (and must be disclosed).

Some funds managers are “active”. Generally, these funds attract higher fees due to the regularity of buying/selling and “stock picking” designed to beat the share market index; while others are “passive”, generally with lower fees, that are designed to follow the share market index.

You should be wary of claims by professional fund managers that they always beat the index. No one ever does that.

See our Investing money guide for more information.