Stocks and shares

Shares are the most common and well known form of investment in the world. In simple terms, buying stocks (or equity) gives you part ownership or a ‘share’ in a business. The more shares you buy, the greater the stake of the business you own, and the more influence you can have in how it is run. In return for investing in the business, you can receive dividends and share in the growth of the company. If the value of the company increases so will your share in the company, if the value of the company decreases so will the share value.

There are two main types of shares: ordinary and preference. Ordinary shares usually entitle you to vote at shareholder meetings and receive dividends, which are a proportion of the company’s post-tax profits. Preference shares have priority for repayment over ordinary shares when it comes to dividends and entitlement.

 

Trading Stocks & Shares

 

- Historically, over the long term, shares can provide strong real return on your investment through the combination of dividends and capital growth. However, you should remember that the value of shares can fall as well as rise and you should be prepared to lose your investment.

- They allow you to diversify or spread risk across a number of industries and economies across the UK and in some instances overseas.

- They are highly liquid – you can sell your shares whenever the market is open.

- They offer potential income through dividends.

Trading with Barclays Stockbrokers

 

- Low online trading rates – from £6.95 per online trade when you trade 25 times or more in a calendar month, and £9.95 for between 15 and 24 trades; otherwise it’s £12.95. View our rates & charges.

- Our Research Centre – access real-time news and analysis through Digital Look with proprietary research from Barclays Wealth in-house research team including daily market and equity news, model portfolio analysis and economic forecasts via the ‘Signpost’ research suite, stock-specific insight and more.

- Advanced order types – free access to a full range of flexible order types from Quote and Deal and Limits to Stop Orders and our award-winning Trailing Stop Orders to get the most from your trading. View our order types demo.

- Barclays Stockbrokers Price Improver®

- Level 2 data – get access to Level 2 data for more transparency of the market with subscription to BARXdirect, our institutionally inspired trading platform. Read the London Stock Exchange(LSE) Guide to Level 2.

 

Getting started

 

Open an account and you could be investing immediately.

• Visit the accounts section to view our range of accounts on offer or;
• Our team of expert advisors can help you to pick the one that’s right for you. Call us on 0845 601 7788*.

 

Barclays Stockbrokers does not give advice; if you are in doubt as to the suitability of investing you should seek independent financial advice.

If you already have an account, login and select the Deal tab from the top of the page to start investing.

 

Holding Stocks & Shares

 

UK Stocks and Shares - there are two ways to buy and hold Stocks and Shares on the London Stock Exchange (LSE);

Nominee service
We hold the shares and do all the administration on your behalf. Our MarketMaster®, Company Dealing and Investment Club accounts let you hold shares in nominee form giving you the flexibility to trade online or over the telephone. We can also help you protect your investments from tax via our Investment ISA and SIPP accounts.

Nominee is the quickest and most flexible way to hold and manage your investments. Stocks and Shares on the London Stock Exchange are settled three days after the trade has been placed (commonly known as T+3), which means that sale proceeds or stock will be reflected in your account three working days after your trade has been placed.

 

Certificated service

You are issued physical share certificates which you provide to a broker if you subsequently want to sell your shares. Our ShareDeal account lets you buy and sell shares in a certificated format over the telephone. Certificated trading is a more traditional way to hold stocks and shares and is usually slower when it comes to processing your transaction.

Settlement in certificated trades is generally 10 days after the trade has been placed (T+10) to allow for the delivery of share certificates. Since this is outside the normal terms of the London stock exchange a small premium will be charged by market makers when you buy shares in this way which is included in the price quoted.

To open a Certificated account please call 0845 777 7700*.

Access to Stocks & Shares registered overseas

 

We also offer access to overseas stock exchanges in two ways through our nominee service:

- Foreign Dealing Account - allows you to trade on the major stock exchanges around the world.

- EQS – The European Quotation Service is offered by the London Stock Exchange and allows investors to purchase the largest stocks from the main European and US markets in Sterling.

Shareholder benefits

At Barclays Stockbrokers, we believe in giving you all the support you need to make the most of your investments.

As the leading execution only stockbroker in the UK, we have a great deal of experience and expert knowledge to offer you, alongside our extensive range of investments.

We detail a selection of FTSE companies that offer shareholder benefits on their shares. If you hold shares, you can look through the list to find out whether you’re entitled to any of these offers or discounts

As long as your shares are held in our MarketMaster®, PensionMaster, or Investment ISA, and are eligible, we can claim the benefit for you.

 

• Find out more about Shareholder Benefits