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Investing in New Listings

Investing in New Listings

Written by R. A. Stewart

Is it worthwhile buying shares in New Listings, also known as Initial Public Offerings?

I have read that these have the potential for significant early gains, but they can at the same time be risky. 

Pros

There can be benefits in investing in new listings.  They are:

  1. High growth potential if the company performs well in the early stages
  2. You get the chance to invest at the offering price before the company lists on the stock exchange.
  3. The IPO process has stringent rules meaning there is increased scrutiny on the company prior to listing.
  4. Newly listed companies are often hyped up meaning that the share price rises sharply soon after listing.

Cons

There are some downfalls of investing in these new public offerings. They are:

  1. There is limited data to use for making a future prediction.
  2. Shares can be highly volatile if the market is down or the company fails to meet its expectations.
  3. If the New listing is oversubscribed you may receive fewer shares than you requested.
  4. The new listing can be overhyped by its promoters that the price per share is set too high leading to a drop in the share price once the trading starts.

Things to consider

  1. Read the prospectus and do your research online to make sure you understand the risks involved.
  2. Company insiders may not be able to sell their shares for a set period of time and when this set period ends there may be a considerable drop in the share price.
  3. Access to new listings may not be available unless you have a brokerage account, however, they may be available through online platforms such as sharesies and robinhood which allow you to purchase shares with a minimum of investment.
  4. If you don’t have the time to research individual IPOs then maybe you can invest in an Exchange Traded Fund  (ETF). This way you are able to invest in a range of IPOs without trying to pick a single IPO.
  5. Monitor the stock after purchasing it to see how it is going. There are some influencing factors which determine the directions of the stock. This can be initial public demand and hype, market sentiment, and economic trends.
  6. My view is that Initial Public Offerings are not for long-term investing but something which can be part of your portfolio as an added interest. The same rules apply to initial public offerings as they do with any other company you are investing in. The questions you should be asking is:
  7. How does this fit into my financial strategy?
  8. Can I afford to lose this money?
  9. How have similar companies fared in the past?

In a nutshell you should do your own due diligence because you are the one who has to live with any financial decision made concerning your money.

About this article: The contents of this article are of the opinion of the writer and may not be applicable to your personal circumstances, therefore discretion is advised. You may use this article as content for your blog/website or ebook.

Read my other articles on www.robertastewart.com

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Invest and Forget

Invest and Forget

Written by R. A. Stewart

I know a couple of people who have money invested in the share market and keep track of how their investments are going by checking up on their shares online just about everyday. I told them that I just invest in such and such and then just forget about them. 

For me, there is no point in worrying about how your share portfolio is going because what the markets are doing is out of my control.

If you have chosen where to invest your money and it is in line with your values, your goals, and your risk profile then what the markets are doing should not be a concern for you.

Financial experts will tell you that if you are investing for the long-term, 10 years plus, you should be a little more aggressive with your investing.

Some investors get panicky when the markets are down and shift funds. Then what happens next is that they miss out on the gains which would regained their previous losses, if you can call it that, because these are just paper losses. They are temporary, but if you decide to sell when your shares are down or switch to conservative funds then these losses are locked in.

Some investors change fund managers because their funds are not doing well. It is worth noting that past record is no guarantee of future performance, so even if a particular fund manager out performed all others this year it does not necessarily mean that they will continue this trend.

If you have chosen which fund type to invest in then how the markets are performing should not be an issue.

Your savings goals can be categorised in one of three goals; they are:

Long-term goals

Medium term goals

Short term goals

Long-term goals are money which is not needed for 5 years+. Retirement savings and house deposit savings are examples of long-term goals.

Medium-term goals are money not needed for 1-5 years. Saving for a car or the trip of a life-time fall into this category.

Short-term goals are money needed within 12 months. This could be your emergency fund set up for unexpected expenses such as an appliance or car breaking down. School expenses, etc.

There is no one shoe which fits everyone, therefore it is up to each individual or couple to set up their own financial plan according to their goals and personal circumstances.

Which funds are best for you?

There are three types of funds to choose from when you invest in a managed fund, also called mutual funds. They are:

Growth funds

Balanced funds

Conservative funds.

Growth funds have the most potential to grow your wealth but are the riskiest. They are for long-term investing. It is suitable for young people because they have more time to recover from a market meltdown.

Balanced funds are a combination of growth and conservative funds. They have the potential to grow your funds but are not as risky as growth funds. 

Conservative funds are safer than growth and balanced funds but are not as profitable. They are more suitable for short and medium-term investing depending on how much risk you are prepared to take on.

Once you have chosen where to invest your money, you should just get on with your life and turn your attention to other things. In other words, “Invest and Forget,” because what happens in the money markets is out of your control.

About this article

This article is of the opinion of the writer and may not be applicable to your personal circumstances, therefore discretion is advised. You may use this article as content for your website/blog or ebook.

Read my other articles on www.robertastewart.com

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Investing in Risk and Reward and how it affects you

Written by R. A. Stewart

In life people get involved in what are considered to be dangerous activities. Being a jockey or a racing car driver are such activities but there are protocols in place to mitigate the risks. If a horse slips after a race the jockeys will examine the track in order to ascertain whether it is safe enough to proceed with the race meeting. If they are not satisfied, the meeting is abandoned.

It is called “risk management.”

Investing is similar. Investors will weigh up the pros or cons of a certain investment or their fund manager will do this for them and will then make a decision on whether the company is worth investing in.

Investors need to know the difference between a permanent and a temporary loss.

You can have two investors which have shares in the same company, but they react differently to what is happening in the market. One investor panics after the company’s share price drops so has suffered a permanent loss, the other investor holds on to his shares and when the company’s share price rebounds he has recouped his losses. The second investor suffered a temporary loss.

If you have invested according to your risk-profile then what the market is doing should not be a concern to you.

It is important to keep your emotions in check, otherwise they can end up costing you in the long-term.

When investing you want the right amount of risk and that all depends on when you need the money. You can be more aggressive with your retirement savings if you have at least 10 years to go but if the money is needed within 5 years then you need to be a little more cautious because what you do not need is for the markets to drop just when you need the money.

Time can work for and against you in terms of what you do with your money. If you are young then you have the advantage of time on your side. You can be more aggressive in your choice of where to invest your money because you have more time to recover from financial hits. But you have to be prepared to take calculated risks in order to take advantage of the rising markets.

At the other extreme, being too safe and over cautious is not good because inflation will erode the purchasing power of your savings. Leaving your money in an ordinary savings account may be fine for money you need in the short-term but it is not appropriate for long-term savings.

Investing is a balancing between risk and reward. It is important to stick with your plan despite what the markets are doing because panic selling when the markets are down will turn a temporary loss into a permanent one. This means that those investors who sell their shares during a market downturn will miss out on the gains when the market recovers.

If you want to get involved in any kind of dangerous activity, think about the risk and how it will affect your future lifestyle if it all goes pear-shaped, and most of all how much risk you can tolerate.   Never let a temporary loss become a permanent one.

ABOUT THIS ARTICLE

The contents of this article are of the opinion of the writer and may not be applicable to your personal circumstances therefore discretion is advised. You may use this article as content for your blog/website, or ebook. Read my other articles on www.robertastewart.com 

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4 Keys to Financial Success

 

There are rules to getting the most out of your money and these rules apply to everybody irrespective of your personal circumstances, stage of life, or goals. They are basic common sense.

  1. Live within your means

This is the most basic money management rule. If you do not follow this rule then you are going to struggle to get ahead financially. There are several reasons why people do not live within their means. The main ones are:

(a) Their income does not match their lifestyle

Some people have a lifestyle which is not compatible with their income level and so they overspend or they spend everything they earn with the result that there is nothing to show for their labours. The easy solution is to be more modest in your lifestyle choice. Cutting out things which do not add any kind of value to your life.

(b) Easy access to credit

Easy access for credit has enabled people to bury their heads in the sand rather than confront their financial issues. After all, if you want something then just put it on the plastic. There is a cost to all of this credit and it is called “Interest.”

(c) Lack of self control

Lack of self control is the main factor why people do not live within their means. Being able to say “No” to things you want will stand you in good stead. 

  1. Save

The habit of saving is a habit which will open doors for you as far as being able to afford things. It means that you do not have to borrow money for basic household appliances or a motor vehicle if one is needed. The money saved by not paying interest on these things add up to a fortune during one’s lifetime.

  1. Invest

Investing your money will enable your wealth to grow. Today, there are so many opportunities for those of modest means to invest with so many online investing platforms available. Sharesies and Hatch are excellent online platforms where investors can drip feed money into the share market. Most people in New Zealand have money invested in Kiwisaver. This is New Zealand’s retirement scheme. The annual tax credit and the employer contributions make this the best way of saving for your retirement. Even if these incentives were not available, Kiwisaver would still be a brilliant scheme even without the government money and employer contributions, because funds are locked up until you reach the retirement age of 65.

  1. Make right choices

It is important to make the right choices in order to live a more prosperous life. If you are on the minimum wage then your options are limited as far as what you can afford and the choice to get married, have kids, or buy a car is among those choices which cannot be taken lightly. It is all about making choices which align with your income level and your goals.

I am not saying that you should not get involved with someone if you are on a low income, but rather make sure that you are in a good financial position before you make major life decisions.

About this article

The information in this article is of the opinion of the writer and may not be applicable to your personal circumstances, therefore discretion is advised. You may use this article as content for your blog/website or ebook.

Read my other articles on www.robertastewart.com

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How to get the most out of your Kiwisaver this year

How to get the most out of your Kiwisaver this year

Are you getting the most out of your Kiwisaver? 

Here are the main ways of making the most out of your Kiwisaver. If you live in a country outside of New Zealand then some of these points may not be applicable to you.

  1. Claim your full tax credits

The government will pay you $260 every July as an incentive for contributing to Kiwisaver, but to claim this amount you must deposit at least $1,040 every year. This needs to be the goal for everyone who is in Kiwisaver.

Women have breaks in their employment to have kids and often miss out on the government tax-credits. It makes sense for husbands to make voluntary deposits into their wife’s Kiwisaver to ensure that she makes the minimum deposit of $1,040 in order to qualify for the $260 annual tax credit.

  1. Choose the right fund

Choosing the right fund can help your savings grow and grow in the long term. If you are too conservative then you are going to leave yourself short-changed by the time you retire. Retirement savings are considered a long-term investment if you have at least ten years before you retire, however, if you intend to continue working after you reach the age of 65, then you may wish to stick with growth/balanced funds. It all boils down to the risk you are willing to accept and whether a market downturn is going to affect your lifestyle.

You may have your kiwisaver invested in growth funds, but that does not mean that other investments should also be in growth funds. It all depends on your timeline and when you may need the money. If you need the money within five years then it may pay to take a more cautious approach and invest conservatively.

  1. Invest what you can

If you are not employed or are self-employed and can afford to make voluntary contributions into your Kiwisaver then do so by all means. Your future self will thank you for it. Think of what you spend your money on which does not provide you with any value. This could be diverted into your retirement fund instead. 

  1. Check what your contributing

Employers have the option of paying in 3% up to 10% of their gross wages into their Kiwisaver. If you have not nominated how much then you’re probably putting in the minimum amount of 3%. 

  1. Start young

If you have children then it is important that you teach them good financial habits. That is saving for the future. As far as Kiwisaver goes, the age of qualification for the Kiwisaver tax credits has been lowered to 16. This will give youngsters extra motivation to join. 

Saving for your future needs takes vision and is the responsible thing to do and with Kiwisaver you have a scheme which will take care of your needs in later life, providing that you keep contributing during your working life.

About this article

This article is of the opinion of the writer and may not be applicable to your personal circumstances, therefore discretion is advised. You may use this article as content for your blog/website or ebook.

Read my other articles on www.robertastewart.com

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Finding Your Calling: Why Specificity and Passion Drive Personal Goals

Setting personal goals

Setting goals do not have to involve money on it’s own. If you set goals based on money then your life is out of balance. It is important to decide what is important to you and is the vehicle to helping you to achieve those aims. In short, money should not be your number one aim. 

If you accept a job with a higher pay then you had better weight up everything that the job involves such as the hours of work, the commute to the job, and responsibilities that come with the job and then decide whether it is worth all of the hassle.

It all depends on your personal circumstances and preferences. There is no size that fits everyone when it comes to goal setting. There is no such thing as “should” even though there are people who think others should do this or do that.

Personal goals are something which are personal to you. Here are some examples of personal goals:

Learning to swim

Learning a new language (specify)

Learning to drive

Learning to use the coffee machine

Learning to salsa dance

Reading the Bible from cover to cover

Meeting your favourite sports player

joining a sports club (specify)

The most important factor in determining your personal goals is your passions. The other factor is your talents. These two are often linked. Whatever most interests you is often where your talents lie but that does not mean that you cannot learn anything new. Most skills and talents are transferable. 

We often see international sports people using the skills which enabled them to reach the elite level in their chosen sport to help them succeed in their chosen career after they have retired. Many have prepared themselves for life after sport by studying to gain a degree during their playing days.

It pays to have a number of strings to your bow as a backup. 

You have to specify what your goal is otherwise it just becomes a wish and anyone can make a wish but it is taking action which will turn a dream into reality.

If you went to your travel agent and asked for a plane ticket they are unable to help you unless you were specific and told them your proposed destination.

Examples of vague goals which are non specific are:

To lose weight

To get fit

To be happy

To save money

The problem with vague goals is that there is no way of knowing when you have achieved your goal. Goals need to be specific and timed. A goal of “To deposit at least a grand into my retirement fund by June 30th, 2023 is a specific and timed goal. You have either achieved your goal or not.

A get fit goal may be “To be able to run a 5k fun run by 31 December 2023.” This is another example of a specific goal which has been timed.

Giving your goals a timeline will give you more motivation. Just telling yourself that one day or some day I will do such and such is not a goal; it is a wish and there is a big difference between wishing for something and being serious about achieving it.

Life needs to be in balance and it is important to consider your personal talents and preferences. Many people have achieved extraordinary success in their chosen field and despite not setting out to make money have accumulated a great sum of money doing something they enjoyed. 

The key here is to not make money your number one goal in life but rather discover your calling. No one else can discover that for you so come out of your shell and broaden your horizons. Who knows, you may just discover your life’s calling in doing so.

Having money behind you will help you to achieve your goals. Sharesies is an online share market platform which can help your savings grow and at the same time develop your financial literacy.

The Wise Travel Card serves as a secure and cost-effective companion for international adventures, designed to help travelers manage funds efficiently. A standout benefit is the ability to hold multiple currencies on a single card, allowing for effortless spending on local essentials such as accommodation, fuel, and snacks.

The card automatically converts money at the mid-market exchange rate, protecting users from the excessive fees and hidden markups typically charged by traditional banks. Through the Wise mobile app, travelers can instantly top up funds, track their balance, and manage their accounts on the go. For enhanced security, the card can be frozen instantly via the app if it is misplaced or lost.

Next Step: You may want to review the specific fee structure on the Wise website or app to see how much you could save on your next trip.

Travel with Wise

www.robertastewart.com

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Mastering Your Money: How to Set and Achieve Financial Goals

In order to get to where you want to go you have to know where you are going and this involves goal setting. Even if you do not set goals you will still end up someplace. Even those who ended up in the poor house started their journey someplace. Choosing where you want to go involves goal setting otherwise your destination will be chosen for you.

Setting financial goals 

Getting all of your finances in order takes a bit of give and take as far as deciding what you have to give up in order to achieve something else. If all our dreams came true we could buy anything we want when we want it but we do not live in our ideal world so we need to decide on what our priorities are.

In today’s world where getting one’s foot on the property ladder is unachievable for a lot of young people under their current circumstances that they need to find another strategy. They same rules apply whatever the circumstances and that is getting into the savings habit and investing money is important. If you are a New Zealander then I cannot stress enough how important it is to join the NZ retirement scheme kiwisaver. With all of it’s incentives such as the free government money and employer contributions this is a no brainer. Plus you will be able to use part of your kiwisaver for a deposit on your first home providing you have been with kiwisaver for five years.

If you are from another country then your retirement scheme will have different rules and schemes.

A multitude of factors will determine your financial goals but the main ones are:

YOUR AGE

If you are young then you have the luxury of time on your side and make time work for you. As the saying goes, “It is time and not timing which is the key to making money in the markets.” 

YOUR FINANCIAL SITUATION

If you are in debt then your number one priority needs to be getting out of debt especially if it is consumer debt. That is debt on stuff that you don’t need such as a TV set, lounge, videos, and other appliances. “If you don’t have the money to buy such items you don’t buy it,” is a good philosophy to have.

The money that is spent on luxury non essential items can be better directed to building your wealth. 

YOUR MARITAL STATUS

This is an obvious one but your marital status is a major factor in determining what your life goals are going to be because life is not all about you because there is another person in the picture; this means that you both have to be on the same page.

So how can I achieve my goals with x amount of money in my pay packet?

1 Increase your income

2 Reduce spending

3 Sell stuff you no longer need

INVEST YOUR MONEY

Invest your money, don’t just fritter it away like most people. An increase in your wages and salary should be invested unless of course you are living from paycheck to paycheck. Set savings goals with long term, medium term, and short term savings goals depending on what you are saving for. 

The time frame for when you require the money is a factor in determining where you are going to invest the money. You certainly would not invest in growth high risk high return stocks if you needed the money in the short term.

www.robertastewart.com

ABOUT THIS ARTICLE

In order to get your life and finances in order it is advisable to set goals. It is easier to set bite sized goals rather than set one big goal. It is easier for a marathon runner to set a goal of one mile repeated twenty six times rather than a goal to run twenty six miles.

Robert Stewart has his own website with articles on  mainly financial/money management on www.robertastewart.com

You may use this article as content for your blog/website, or ebook.

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Why Asset Class Diversification is Your Best Defense Against Volatility

Written by R. A. Stewart

When it comes to investing, it is important to invest according to your risk profile. This means diversifying your investments in several asset classes in order that you may take advantage of the highs in each asset class, and at the same time, minimizing the effect of a downturn in one of those asset classes. 

An asset class is a group of companies which have similar characteristics. They react to economic events the same way. A financial advisor will focus on asset classes as a way to reduce the risk and help investors to diversify their portfolio.

Each asset class offers different levels of growth and risk. Some asset classes such as cash in the bank are focused on capital preservation. 

Your choice of asset class has to be aligned with your investment goals.

Equities such as stocks and shares offer potential to make a good capital gain on your money, but are riskier than cash in the bank. 

Physical assets such as Real Estate and Gold offer chances to grow your wealth, but there are downsides to both. Investing in your own home may be a worthwhile investment for you but purchasing an investment property may not if it means that all of your money is tied up in that property. 

Your goals is the one factor which determines which asset class you are going to invest your money in. The question which has to be asked is, “What is the purpose of this investment?”

Once you have answered this question, you are left with your risk profile.

It is important to stress that you can have money invested in growth and conservative funds in different investments at the same time without it affecting your risk profile.

Here is an example:

A person in their twenties has 40+ years till retirement, therefore an appropriate investment for their retirement fund, (Kiwisaver in New Zealand)  is growth or balanced funds.

That same person may be saving up for a car and may have less than 12 months before they have saved enough for their purchase. Investing in conservative funds is right for them, though as they get closer to the time they require the money, depositing it in an ordinary savings account may be the best option.

Time is the major factor to consider when setting your money goals. The person who has time on their side is able to invest more aggressively into growth funds because they have more time to recover from a market downturn.

This does not mean that you should invest haphazardly, but rather taking calculated risks. The beauty of investing in managed funds is that your funds are invested on your behalf by fund managers and it is their job to ensure that your investment returns a profit. 

Cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin are an asset class, albeit, a risky one with the potential for high returns. If you are going to get involved in this then only do so with discretionary spending money. The same applies to investing in anything which is outside of your risk profile. 

You could be aged 70 or 80 but still fancy investing in growth funds. Do this if a market meltdown is not going to affect your lifestyle. New Zealand financial advisor Frances Cook has a formula for calculating what portion of your portfolio should be allocated to shares. You simply deduct your age from 100. 

I do know of some folk who do not follow this rule, and I am one of them. My view is that I may avoid the effects of a market meltdown if I followed Frances Cook’s formula, but then I am taking advantage of a buoyant market.

Its a decision investors must make for themselves and if it all turns to custard then you have only yourself to blame. 

About this article

The contents of this article are of the opinion of the writer and may not be applicable to your personal circumstances, therefore discretion is advised. You may use this article as content for your blog/website, or ebook.

Read my other articles on www.robertastewart.com

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Reasons why investing outside of NZ Makes Sense

Written by R. A. Stewart

“Invest in several places because you do not know when misfortune will strike”-Ecclesiastes 11:2

Is advice given by Solomon and it is advice worth heeding because you do not know when a market downturn is going to happen. It could be the result of political turmoil, a natural disaster, or another pandemic.

When I talk about investing in several places, it does not only mean investing in several different companies, but rather investing offshore as well.

It is called diversification.

There are two main reasons why investing offshore makes sense.

  1. You have access to industries not available in your own country.
  2. You are able to buy into companies that lead the way in AI

There are global brands that you have access to when investing globally, some of these have given excellent returns over a long period of time. 

With such a larger pool full of world-leading industries and companies to invest in, you will have the opportunity for better returns.

On the other hand, New Zealand is a small country with an economy vulnerable to unforeseen events such as foot and mouth disease or natural disasters.

If foot and mouth took hold in New Zealand -it would likely result in the dollar plunging and more expensive imports. Tourism would most likely be affected, and GDP would fall to unprecedented levels.

There are other things which can affect our economy such as a trade war or a serious climatic event. 

It is a good idea to invest globally to mitigate the risk of exposure to a market meltdown in your country.

Check your retirement funds to see what percentage of it is invested globally. Even if most of your retirement fund is invested locally, you can still get involved in overseas markets on a shoestring.

One online platform for doing this is Hatch.

Hatch is a New Zealand based investment platform. If you are from a country outside of New Zealand then it will pay to check out those which are available in your own country.

Before you start  investing with Hatch or any other investing platform, it is important to know what kind of investments they have available and how they align for your investment goals and risk profile.

Invest for the long-term and avoid making short-term decisions based on emotion. Focus on your investment goals and above all be patient. Don’t get fixated on your balance. If you have invested according to your risk profile then your balance should not be a concern.

Smart investors mitigate the risk to their capital by investing in a diverse range of assets and industries. Investing in Hatch offers a gateway to global markets and a diverse range of investment opportunities. By understanding the platform, conducting proper research, diversifying your portfolio, and staying informed, you can potentially build a strong investment portfolio suited to your financial goals. Remember, investing involves risk, so it’s crucial to invest responsibly and stay informed about market dynamics and your investment choices.

Join Hatch here:

Invest in Hatch here

ABOUT THIS ARTICLE

The contents of this article are of the opinion of the writer and may not be applicable to your personal circumstances, therefore discretion is advised. You may use this article as content for your blog/website or ebook. Read my other articles on www.robertastewart.com

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How Sharesies is turning ordinary people into Investors

How Sharesies is turning ordinary people into Investors

Written by R. A. Stewart

When I was young there were limited opportunities to get involved in the share market. You had to save up a certain amount of money and invest it in your chosen company. In order to diversify you had to repeat that same saving up then investing process several times.

Then came managed funds where your money was combined with other investors which enabled you to have a diversified portfolio. Not only that but you have the opportunity to choose a fund according to the level of risk you are willing to take, whether it be growth funds, balanced funds, or conservative funds.

80% of Sharesies investors are under 40. There are benefits to getting involved in the markets from a young age. They are:

  1. Young people have time on their side and therefore are able to be more aggressive with their money by investing in growth funds.
  2. Young people have more time to recover from market meltdowns. The Share market is a long term game worth taking on board.
  3. Investing from a young age will increase an investor’s financial literacy and this is an experience which they can take with them into the future.
  4. Young people do not have as many commitments so have more discretionary money to invest into the markets.

If there is one habit which should be developed from a young age it is the habit of saving and investing. Making provision for your future needs is the responsible and mature thing to do. Indeed, it is a red flag when a potential life partner pays no attention to monetary matters. As they say, “Most marriages which fail, do because of financial issues.”

People do not change their spots overnight. If they give that appearance, it will only last until they have you and then he or she will revert to their old habits.

Now and again there will be a financial guru who claims that they made a killing on the share market and are willing to share their secret with you. What generally happens is that the person who made the killing will try to repeat the effort and end up losing their gains and a lot more. Then there is the fact that for every person who made the killing, a lot more tried the same thing and lost all of their money.

Experience will give you the wisdom to know when to take what someone has said with a grain of salt. 

Never allow the fear of making a mistake prevent you from investing. It is better than you making your mistakes when you are young because they will not affect you as much as when you are older and have more commitments.

As for Sharesies, I treat it as another string to my financial bow. Here is my strategy. I choose one New Zealand company to invest in per year and drip-feed money into this company every year. Some of the companies I have on Sharesies are Spark, Genesis Energy, Fletcher, PGG Wrightson, Fonterra, and Contact Energy. I have not decided on which company to invest in 2026.

Invest according to your own personal goals and circumstances and not what others are doing. It is your responsibility to set out your finances according to your goals and not what others suggest you should do with your money.

There are some great books on personal finance available. Frances Cook and Mary Holm are two New Zealand authors whose books are worth reading so if you can obtain a copy of their books then it will steer you in the right direction.

All the best with your investing.

ABOUT THIS ARTICLE

The content of this article is of the opinion of the writer and may not be applicable to your personal circumstances, therefore discretion is advised. You may use this article as content for your website/blog or ebook.

Read my other articles on www.robertastewart.com

Start investing on a shoestring

Sharesies makes it possible for anyone to get into buying and selling shares. It is an online share market platform where you have the option of purchasing shares in individual companies or in various funds (managed/mutual funds). You can even start with $5. This is a no brainer because it gives investors young and not so young the chance to improve their financial literacy. There is certainly no substitute for experience when it comes to learning and this is applicable to everything else, not just investing.

Join sharesies here: https://sharesies.nz/r/377DFM