• Learn about investing
• Strategies and considerations
• Research, research and more research
• Where do I start?
• What am I investing in?
• Who is running the company?
• How is the company performing?
• When is the right time to buy?
• What's happening in the news?

What am I investing in?

Know the company

Find out exactly what the company does and as much about its sector as you can.

While a company's annual report and balance sheet will provide you with statistics about recent performance, a good understanding of the company's position in the market will prove far more beneficial.

Remember, the price of shares moves in accordance with supply and demand, not statistics and how a company has performed in the past is not necessarily an indication of how it will perform in the future.

Answering the following questions is a good place to start:

1. Who are the company's main competitors?
2. How big is its order book?
3. How much of the business is linked to overseas investments?
4. What are the prospects for the company's sector?

You can get a comprehensive picture of a particular company using our Find an investment or read our view on each sector written by the Advice team.