Different ways to invest in shares

Media headlines focus more on share market drops than rises, but wherever there is a weakness there is usually an opportunity lying in wait.

High quality companies are available at excellent value if you know where to look, but if you’re not sure how to take advantage of these opportunities, following are three ways to invest into the share market.

Managed funds

These are probably the easiest way to enter the share market with a smaller investment.

You can open a managed fund account with as little as $1000 and rely on the expertise of the fund manager to buy and sell the shares to meet the fund’s investment goals and level of risk. There is usually an entry fee and the manager will charge ongoing fees, which are deducted from your investment’s income.

As the manager purchases and sells underlying investments when he or she considers it appropriate, you have less ability to manage your own tax situation, especially when capital gains on the underlying investments are concerned.

Direct purchase

The main benefit of buying shares directly is that you own the shares and all of the income is paid directly to you.

You also manage your tax position by buying and selling shares when you, with your adviser’s guidance, consider appropriate.

There are two ways purchase shares: • Establish an account with a stockbroker. This gives you access to research and you have the ability to move quickly when opportunities arise. You will pay brokerage every time you buy and sell, so weigh up these costs before making rash decisions. • Open a share trading account through your bank. This is the DIY of share trading and you must be willing, and have the time, to do all of the research yourself. You will still pay a brokerage on every transaction, but it is much less than using a stockbroker. If you don’t have the time to do sufficient research and are not prepared to lose whatever you invest using this method, it’s best to work with a qualified broker and your financial adviser. to directly

Separately Managed Accounts

Separately Managed Accounts, or SMAS, offer the best of both worlds – direct share ownership with the expertise of an investment manager.

An SMA is a customised share portfolio managed by the SMA provider in accordance with one or more specific investment models.

These are similar to a managed fund, with the difference being that because you own the underlying shares you control when and how much you invest.

You also manage your own tax situation.

You can start with an investment of $5000.

Brokerage is kept to a minimum and as you are making regular investments into your account, you benefit from dollar cost averaging – investing small amounts regularly into the market, thereby reducing the average cost price of your shares.

Share investment can be confusing and time-consuming.

If you are not sure which option is best for you, talk to a licensed financial adviser to determine an appropriate strategy for your circumstances.