[Richard Berry]

We have a few guides that can help with how to invest in stocks you may find helpful:

• How to buy shares in the UK
• How to invest in stocks for beginners with little money
• The different types of investing accounts in the UK

We also produce weekly analysis that features some trending stocks and sectors that investors are focussed on. You can see this here: https://goodmoneyguide.com/analysis/

Or if you are interested in a video demo of how to buy shares please view the below which explains the process whilst reviewing one of the most popular investment platforms in the UK.

[Richard Berry]

Long gone are the days when you could walk into your local bank and sell share certificates over the counter. Today it is still possible, but a bit more complicated.

Laith Khalaf, head of investment analysis at AJ Bell told us that “If you hold share certificates, you just need to get in touch with a broker to sell, who will be able to cash them in for you, though there will be a commission to do so, and this is likely to be higher than trading online because the shares are held in certificated form.

“It’s also possible there could be tax implications as part of the sale, depending on how much profit you have made and how you acquired the shares in the first place.”

However, Hargreaves Lansdown, gave us a bit more information depending on different circumstances, saying “it’s a process that has a few steps to it, and those steps vary slightly depending on how the shares are held and how long has passed since the Save As You Earn (SAYE) scheme matured.

It also assumes the shares they hold are in a UK-listed company.”

Depending on how you hold the shares and when the Save As You Earn Scheme matured, there will be a few different options for how you can sell up. For example, if you’re able to transfer them directly into an investment ISA before selling, you’ll avoid any CGT liability. Your best bet would be to contact an investment platform and talk through the best path to take.”

Full information on how to transfer shares from a SAYE scheme is available on the HL website. For any further help, your reader can contact our Helpdesk on 0117 900 9000.

In summary, once someone has bought the shares available to them through the SAYE scheme, they have three options:

• Keep the shares in certificated form or in a standard investment account
• Sell the shares
• Transfer the shares into a pension or an ISA directly with 90 days of the end of the scheme, which wouldn’t count as a disposal for capital gains tax reasons – it would then be possible to sell the shares within the tax wrapper if desired

If more than 90 days have passed, then to sell the share certificates, your reader will need to open an HL Fund and Share Account and deposit the shares electronically, at no cost, before then instructing an online sale and withdrawing the proceeds.

1. Open an HL Fund and Share Account
2. Complete the attached CREST Transfer Form
3. Send us the completed form with the original share certificates
4. We’ll process the lodgement, and your reader will then be able to hold the shares, view the latest value, and sell when they wish
5. Shares can then be sold online
6. The proceeds can then be paid to their bank account

Full detail of the process is available online, by selecting “share certificates” from the dropdown menu.

If 90 days haven’t passed since the maturity of the SAYE scheme, your reader can transfer them into an ISA or SIPP prior to selling in order to avoid any potential capital gains tax liability.

If the shares are held as certificates, they will need to complete the attached CREST Transfer Form as well as the SAYE Form.

Full details of what’s required in this scenario are included on the form.

[Richard Berry]

Thanks for highlighting this group, my first reaction would be to run a mile and avoid any further interactions and block the group.

Firstly, I could not find any information on Tim Wood as an investment professional on the web or Linkedin, nor did any thing show up for Emily Grace Smith.

Alarm bells should be ringing if you cannot find any trace of some someone offering financial advice without being connected to an established or regulated firm with no online presence. Checking for reviews on trusted sources is one of the first steps people should take before thinking about investing with a new firm.

Secondly, you said that there were 117 members in the group and that they follow the advice. The screen shots of the messages you sent us state at the bottom that “Only admins can send messages” yet, there are messages from members of the group asking questions like “Can you please tell me about AAON? Shall I still hold?” and another asking “Morning FTSE prediction 8795. Be interesting what spending review impact is”.

However, as only admins can post messages and it’s unlikely that members would be made admin, that suggests to me that they are fake prompts to illicit positive feedback. Which is clear from other comments from fake members like “I’m planning to put £2k into BAE Systems”.

You also state that all the recommendations seem to good to be true, and that is usually the case. It’s a fairly standard scam trust building exercise to tip large cap stocks and then hit you with a rogue recommendation.

This appears to be what is going on here, as you mentioned an invitation for a VIP Group, which is where you will either be encouraged to pay for a service, open an account with an offshore unregulated broker or given penny stock tips for pump and dump schemes.

I also noticed that on the performance chart you sent they were using the icon and branding of a UK regulated brokerage XTB. I checked with XTB who stated “XTB does not actively manage any public or client based Whatsapp groups. All client communications are sent by verified methods such as push notifications, emails and SMS. We regularly email clients on how to avoid online investment scams and impersonations. This site / group has nothing to do with XTB and is, therefore, an example of such risks. We would urge all clients – with XTB or any broker – to be highly vigilant in how or where they seek investment information.”

As for the in-depth knowledge displayed, this is easily replicated with AI these days. There are a few tell tale signs like using emoji numbers and written numbers, it’s neutral, logical and doesn’t give an opinion. Plus the use of phrases like “dire scenario” and “degrading public service quality” whilst not in context of an opinion is something that AI writing tools do to emphasise a point.

I’d avoid, delete, block, unsubscribe and report to WhatsApp.

You can help others by reporting scams as soon as you spot them to:

• Action Fraud: https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/reportscam
• National Cyber Security Centre: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/phishing-scams/report-scam-website
• Financial Conduct Authority: https://www.fca.org.uk/consumers/report-scam

[Richard Berry]

We are not affiliated with that firm in any way and it does indeed look like a scam site. You should avoid any contact with this firm.

For more information about pig butchering and investing scams see here: https://goodmoneyguide.com/investing/how-to-spot-and-avoid-investment-scams/

[Richard Berry]

Jordan Gillies, Partner at Saltus has provided the following answer:

There appears to be some confusion about the application of the standard £325,000 nil rate band (NRB). This is available to all individuals and can be used against any asset type on death. This includes a primary residence. The £175,000 residence nil-rate band is an additional relief available to those passing on a qualifying residence on death.

Therefore, in the example below, the £325,000 NRB will be fully utilised by £300,000 of the personal assets in the estate and £25,000 of the property value. The £175,000 residence nil rate band (RNRB) could then be applied to the remaining £175,000 of the property value. There would consequently be no IHT to pay. Unlike the standard NRB, the residence nil rate band only applies to an eligible property and cannot be used for any qualifying asset for IHT.

More information on how the allowances are applied and the impact of tapering on the RNRB can be found on Gov.uk

Nothing within this content is intended as, or can be relied upon, as financial advice. tax rules may change and the value of tax reliefs depends on your individual circumstances.

[Richard Berry]

No whatsapp investing groups on investagram or any other social network trying to promote them is most likely a scam.
There are some regulated brokers like CMC Markets that have integrated whatsapp into their customer service but be very aware of clones on social videos. We have a guide on how to spot and avoid whatsapp investing scams here.

[Richard Berry]

Thanks for this – we got in touch with Computershare who said the LSE shares will have been transferred to the Australian market and recommended emailing Computershare Australia at wplshareplans@computershare.com.au or calling on +61 3 9415 4282 to arrange a sale.

We also spoke to Fraser Allan, Head of Premium Client Services at CMC Markets Australia, who said:

Companies can handle this type of corporate action in several different ways so there isn’t a single answer for all scenarios.

However, in the case of Woodside delisting from the LSE, the holding was automatically converted to the Australian share register on a 1:1 basis on 29 November 2024. Shareholders did not have to take any action for this to occur.

That means stock is now an issuer sponsored holding (rather than broker sponsored) and shareholders will have a paper certificate with a unique Securityholder Reference Number (SRN).

To hold the stock with a broker the securityholder needs to convert them from issuer to CHESS. This means they will then be held with a broker and can be traded electronically.

The process of converting the shares does not incur any fees.

With CMC, this process can be completed on the trading platform directly and provided account details match between the registry and broker it can take 24 hours.

[Richard Berry]

You should be very careful when moving old pensions just in case, as you say they come with additional benefits in case you lose them. You will need to talk to a professional advisor beforehand. You also need to consider if moving to a cheaper pension provider will compensate for any exit fees you need to pay.

Alex Pugh, Chartered Financial Planner, Partner at Saltus gave this advice:

Consolidating pensions can offer benefits such as reduced paperwork, increased income flexibility, reduced fees, a wider range of investments, and it’s easier to ensure your investments are aligned with your goals. Usually, simplicity is best. However, defined benefit schemes are valuable. Transferring these are high-risk and should only be considered in specific circumstances. Multiple defined contribution schemes can sometimes reduce diversification, because many default funds have similar holdings. Older pensions may have unique benefits, including extra tax-free cash and could incur exit penalties. Transferring could have adverse consequences as well as positive ones. Taking advice prior to consolidating is recommended.

[Richard Berry]

A currency broker will be able to get you the best exchange rates and you will also get more control over the timing of the conversion compared to your bank.

Before you start, make sure you read our guide to preparing for a large currency transfer where you can also compare currency broker exchange rates.

We also reached out to Faye Morris, Business Development Manager at Halo Financial who gave this advice:

Currency brokers like Halo offer more favourable exchange rates than banks. In addition, Halo do not charge transfer fees or commission for their service, ensuring you’ll receive more euros on the other side.

Halo also provide a dedicated account manager, at no cost, who can assist with the timing of your transfer and keep you informed of any significant market movements—particularly helpful if you don’t have the time to track exchange rates yourself.

I highly recommend registering with Halo. It’s completely free, with no obligation, and will give you access to their live trading rates and services.

Philip McHugh who heads up Currencies Direct corporate dealing also said that specialist currency providers typically offer far better exchange rates than banks, and even a small rate difference can mean thousands more in your account. Some charge fees, but others add a margin to the exchange rate.

This type of provider buys currency at the ‘interbank’ rate, not available to consumers, and applies a margin before selling. Some providers also keep you updated on rate movements and offer tools to fix or target an exchange rate, helping you transfer at the right time.

This approach ensures you get a more competitive rate and maximises the amount you receive.

[Richard Berry]

It’s usually the otherway round in that the young can afford to take on more risk becuase they have more time in the market to ride out dips and see their investments grow. The closer people get to retirement the more they lean towards income rather than growth. But if you are interesting in putting your money to work with more risk, Victoria Hasler, head of fund research at Hargreaves Lansdown has provided the following information.

“For investors who have longer timeframes or are happy to accept a higher level of volatility, equity funds can be a good place to start.

Global

Global equity funds provide a good foundation to an investment portfolio focused on long-term growth. Investing in companies across the globe provides diversification in a single fund. An index tracker fund is one of the simplest ways to invest, and could be a good addition to a broader investment portfolio aiming to deliver long-term growth in a responsible way.

The Legal & General Future World ESG Tilted and Optimised Developed Index fund provides broad exposure to a range of large and medium-sized companies in developed markets, such as the US, Japan and Europe, while being mindful of environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues. Responsible investment funds give you the chance to make money in a way that’s in line with your principles.

This fund aims to track the performance of the Solactive L&G ESG Developed Markets Index. It won’t invest in tobacco companies, pure coal producers, manufacturers of armaments or persistent violators of the UN Global Compact Principles.

Asia

Over the years, rapid industrialisation, growing populations, and a desire to succeed have helped transform countries in the Asia region. Domestic consumption is set to be a key driver of growth over the coming years, helped by a young and growing population, and rising wealth. Continued innovation from companies at the forefront of technology based there could also provide exciting growth opportunities for investors. However, younger economies mean the risks are greater and more volatility should be expected. While Asia is home to developed markets such as Hong Kong and Singapore, others, including China and India, are still emerging.

The FSSA Asia Focus is run by a manager and team with a great pedigree of investing in Asia. We like the culture and philosophy at FSSA – the managers view themselves as stewards of investors’ capital, looking after it as though it’s their own. The fund has an impressive track record of picking some of the region’s best-performing companies over the long run.

UK Equity Income

UK equity income funds are a convenient way to invest in a mix of dividend-paying UK companies, and to access one of the highest-yielding stock markets in the world. An equity income fund can be a great addition to an ISA portfolio for different reasons. You can take the pay-outs to supplement your income and have a bit of extra cash in your back pocket. Or if you’re targeting growth and aiming to build your portfolio for longer, reinvesting dividends can help grow your pot thanks to the beneficial effect of compounding.

The Artemis Income fund focuses on companies which can pay a sustainable level of income, regardless of the economic backdrop. The fund mainly invests in large UK businesses, but it can also invest in some medium-sized and overseas companies when the managers find great opportunities.”

[Richard Berry]

Thanks for your question. Mark Glowrey​​​​, Director of Fixed Income Sales at Allia C&C has provided us with the below:

Allia C&C are lead managers of the RCB program and whilst we are unable to provide investment advice or predict future events we can provide some insight on the likely behavior of the borrowers.

As your reader rightly surmises, many of the charities issuing bonds will look to refinance the debt on or before maturity. This has already happened with one issuer, Golden Lane Housing, who issued the first bond on the program in 2014. When the bond matured in 2021 the first bond was repaid from proceeds from newly issued ten-year bond.

Other issuers may choose to re-finance the debt via further bond issuance. Many of the issuers run balance sheets with multiple lenders such as banks, and may chose alternative methods of refinance (largely subject to the relative cost of debt). In some cases, the debt may be repaid from retained earnings.

[Richard Berry]

There is no reliable way for retail clients to automatically trade the forex markets. Be very aware of any system, advert, company or educator saying that you can do so. It will most likely be a scam.

Something claiming they can produce you returns of 15% to 25% a month is almost definitely a scam. For more information on forex scams read our update on the FCA here.

Spread betting on forex is currently free of capital gains tax in the UK.

You can read more on why spread betting is tax-free here.

[Richard Berry]

Hi,

We asked a variety of brokers for a response on this, Saxo Capital Markets responded with:

Should be fine to open an account from Sint Maarten – sounds very exotic! I can’t see it on our exclusion list anywhere

We offer accounts in several base currencies (18 I believe) so having a USD account is not a problem

If buying GBP denominated stocks/ETFs on a USD account an FX conversion will occur automatically. We will apply a currency conversion fee on open and close.

We also offer subaccounts which can be denominated in a different currency from the main account.

Read our Saxo review here

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