Which trading platform?

[rogerfederer]

In the end reality prevails. Still and this is the important point, the discussion about it makes for good ratings and helps to sell newspapers.

I suspect we'll see raised barriers from the US, of which the UK follow suit. It does make more sense to concentrate on India and Brazil than China, given the authoritarian and oppressive tendencies of the latter. I don't like the altright wing narrative in general but unfortunately they've latched on to the hypocrisy that is a fair point: we've allowed a communist-authoritarian-dictatorship hybrid to flourish to such an extent whilst ignoring morals, when other countries not far away (India, for example) are there and offer just as much opportunity as China.

[BlasterBates]

A company I'm doing work for is also seeing China as a huge growth area. Nothing to do with manufacturing, more on the pharmaceutical side.

In the end reality prevails. Still and this is the important point, the discussion about it makes for good ratings and helps to sell newspapers.

[ladymuck]

I'm not convinced about the pivot away from China, the company I work for is increasing its business with China because the rest of the world is in lock down. Over the next year or two it will be all about survival, there will be no money to build factories for new supply chains, and companies will buy from the cheapest supplier. However I agree that it will be discussed extensively on chat shows, radio shows and in the newspapers.

A company I'm doing work for is also seeing China as a huge growth area. Nothing to do with manufacturing, more on the pharmaceutical side.

[BlasterBates]

Trading account or S&S ISA: Halifax iWeb. Ideal for infrequent share/ETF purchases with low charges. Sit and forget about them.

My personal view is that we are currently seeing the calm before the storm. We're about to witness a change of world economy that will pivot away from China as a major supplier and developer, across multiple sectors. Pensions will be demolished and old boring folk won't be paying £8k for a nice cruise, that's for sure. I wouldn't touch Carnival shares with yours, but feel free to gamble if that's your desire

I'm not convinced about the pivot away from China, the company I work for is increasing its business with China because the rest of the world is in lock down. Over the next year or two it will be all about survival, there will be no money to build factories for new supply chains, and companies will buy from the cheapest supplier. However I agree that it will be discussed extensively on chat shows, radio shows and in the newspapers.

[rogerfederer]

OK I want to buy some specific shares mainly cruise companies and travel/hotel groups in order to get benefits for future bookings given the shares have tanked. But what trading platform will be best to use to minimise cost and maximise convenience? I simply want to buy a small number of each companies shares and will sit on them for future benefits and long term growth.

Yes I know these companies are dodgy at the moment but for some that won't always be the case and the share price for say Carnival is such that I'll get my money back with just one future cruise

Trading account or S&S ISA: Halifax iWeb. Ideal for infrequent share/ETF purchases with low charges. Sit and forget about them.

My personal view is that we are currently seeing the calm before the storm. We're about to witness a change of world economy that will pivot away from China as a major supplier and developer, across multiple sectors. Pensions will be demolished and old boring folk won't be paying £8k for a nice cruise, that's for sure. I wouldn't touch Carnival shares with yours, but feel free to gamble if that's your desire

[BlasterBates]

Wouldn't touch cruise companies. Also Carnival is issuing debt that can be converted to stock later, so the shares will be diluted for the long-term. You might get lucky. No different than taking a punt on a horse though.

Indeed and that's a tip on how to play the cruise companies

[DimPrawn]

I must go check how these bargain shares I bought ages ago are doing. I bought them at "giveaway" prices, their share prices fell massively and I was going to make a fortune!

BHS
Kodak
Thomas Cook
Enron
Blockbuster
Debenhams
Pan Am
Polaroid
Toys "R" Us

[jamesbrown]

Wouldn't touch cruise companies. Also Carnival is issuing debt that can be converted to stock later, so the shares will be diluted for the long-term. You might get lucky. No different than taking a punt on a horse though.

[ladymuck]

I would steer clear of cruise companies. It is likely that some of them if not all will go bankrupt or get close to bankruptcy and you lose almost everything. Of course the cruise companies will come back but not necessarily with the current investors as the owners. What happens is the companies get desperate, they then get some emergency funding from a private equity investor who in return will own 80% of the company. The shareholders are left with 20% or maybe less so they never get the benefit of the recovery.

...

This is likely to happen to Virgin Atlantic by the looks of it.

[BlasterBates]

I would steer clear of cruise companies. It is likely that some of them if not all will go bankrupt or get close to bankruptcy and you lose almost everything. Of course the cruise companies will come back but not necessarily with the current investors as the owners. What happens is the companies get desperate, they then get some emergency funding from a private equity investor who in return will own 80% of the company. The shareholders are left with 20% or maybe less so they never get the benefit of the recovery.

If you are going to invest in dodgy companies then try the big oil companies. They have downstream refining and gas production so they won't be going bankrupt, and when they recover you're still the owner.

It is correct that the cruise companies will be there in 5 years time but don't make the common mistake of thinking you keep your percentage of it.

[tazdevil]

If you like gambling, you should try playing roulette online. You will certainly find out the results of your gamble quicker. There is a reason the shares are down, if you look at the balance sheet of carnival plc you will see that they don't have a lot of cash in hand to offset their liabilities. It's wishful thinking that the shares will just 'go up'.

Agree but I'm investing for potential benefits rather than possible returns. Not a lot and I can afford to lose the money being invested but some of these companies if not most will survive.

[cannon999]

If you like gambling, you should try playing roulette online. You will certainly find out the results of your gamble quicker. There is a reason the shares are down, if you look at the balance sheet of carnival plc you will see that they don't have a lot of cash in hand to offset their liabilities. It's wishful thinking that the shares will just 'go up'.

[ladymuck]

I used to use Interactive Investor (it may have changed names again but that's the last one I remember it having).

I can't say if it's any better or worse than any other platform but I didn't think the fees were onerous and the buying/selling was simple enough.

[tazdevil]

OK I want to buy some specific shares mainly cruise companies and travel/hotel groups in order to get benefits for future bookings given the shares have tanked. But what trading platform will be best to use to minimise cost and maximise convenience? I simply want to buy a small number of each companies shares and will sit on them for future benefits and long term growth.

Yes I know these companies are dodgy at the moment but for some that won't always be the case and the share price for say Carnival is such that I'll get my money back with just one future cruise