How do you subscribe?!

I can not find a link on this site anywhere!!!

Any help?

Strangly enough I have just been looking for that very same thing and could not find it so gave up!

Why subscribe for poor quality material ???
rgds aj

With regard to signing up to the magazine we are currently developing a new link which is why there is no link at the moment.

To subscribe at the moment you would need to contact Shares on 01444 475 661.

Ian

Does anyone else here have the same view as AJ on the quality of the magazine?

If it was good quality information they would not be writing articles i.e.
they would be cruising around the Med/Carribean as a result of the billions
of dollars they make from their dealings.This applies to ALL pundits.
rgds aj

Richard,

Well I use Shares as a starting point for learning about new companies, and if I find something of interest, I go on from there.

I'm find it an interesting light read, and Shares introduces companies in sectors you may not normally look at or have an interest in.

Shares introduced me to Cardpoint, at the then price of 48p last year!
The profit from that has more than repaid the subscription fee!

Certainly no article alone is a reason for investment, but is a useful starting point for further research, IMHO.

If you want access to the Trader's Room here, subscribing to Shares for 99 not only gives you 1 per copy off the shop cover price, but free access to the Trader's Room here as a bonus! (I subscribed for this reason.)

Hi Richard,

I agree i.e.it is a useful starting point and a useful starting point for
further research.However,I think one should always think :- If they are so
smart - why are they writing articles ?
rgds aj

Richard,
I agree with Andy. I only statded investing last year and have found Shares to be a very good tool in the kit. It is extremly cost efective at less than 2 a week .Plus you get access to money am. It writes in plain english and gives you a good base to start your reaserch. I would recommend it as I have found it useful. Graeme.

Why are they writing articles instead of cruising ?
rgds aj

Why are we posting instead of cruising??

Because we know how much we do not know ?
rgds aj

When cruising gets boring you go back to writing ...about things like shares.

ajren,

They are journalists that write about companies, they don't profess to be investment guru's!

All I look for is some knowledge of the company by the journalist concerned, and if I think there may be something of interest, I take it from there.

arjen because a person makes a lot of dosh ie buffett,gates,branson etc they dont rest on there laurels they want to make more dosh not go on cruises.as to the quailty of mag if you have any ideas that can improve write to editor who will listen if it is a good idea there is a chance your idea will appear.cant complain about price of mag or quailty.

I hate the thought of cruising. Sea sick, home sick, playing the stock market sick, stuck in one place for days/weeks, ugh!

However, though I subscribe to Shares (and have the benefit of moneyam, particularly the bulletin board)I think most of the magazine was a poor read, contained innacurate incomlete information. But then I'm not a beginner except with AIM. It is a pity that I hold this opinion of Shares and only glance through it as I could learn a lot about the new companies.

I can't trust it, probably shouldn't trust the bulletin boards either but they certainly give me food for thought.

Angi,

Exactly!

I trust neither, but both supply food for thought, IMHO!

ARJEN,
The reason someone like say James Quinn, is not as you say "CRUISING" is probably to do with the fact that he is only 26, bearing in mind he probably finished studying for his degree at about 22, that gives 4 years of employment, as they say it takes money to make money!!!!!! unless of course your born into a rich family and don't need to work in which case you would be "CRUISING"....
As for the rest of us we have to earn a living!!!!!
SINCERELY YOURS.............

just to add my 2 pennies worth how do you know they are not cruising as you put it as with a laptop and net connection articles can be written from anywhere in the world just as shares can be dealt from anywhere .After all how are these messages being posted . I find share magazine to be very useful and a great publication but it is up to the individual as to their opinion

Ajren

Have you opened up a lively subject for the weekend!!
Following the various postings I find that I am in support of the views of both camps.
I personnally have been hurt in the distant past by using the journalists 'hot tips' yet I still find great interest in reading their scribblings. I am sure that a lot of their work could be beneficial to investors as they very often have access to people in places that we don't. We then just have to continue our own further investigations into their new found 'goldmines' and if we are then convinced ''get the timing right''

Rgds
optomistic

Shares seems inconsistent. They will tip a share one week and do it down the next for no apparent reason. Are keen on highlighting their good tips but do not follow up with information on recommended buys which quickly plunge in price. Overall I have found the Weekend FT stars and dogs and weekend sharewatch most balanced, reliable and profitable. I still like Shares and buy it, but as am getting more experienced always do my own research. Gets boring hearing it but it is the key.

Id just like to say well done Shares for going back more or less to the old set up before we had page after page of company results. That in my opinion was a bit daft as you will find most readers only read the Buy tip storys.

Theres also the competitive point with the Friday mag, they do that anyway have always done it so we had two mags on the market more or less duplicating each other in fact I feel that a lot of people buy both so the duplication was indeed negative for shares.

The new look is back to its best and I like the new piece on 'new floats'.

Keep up the good work.

cheers GF.

GF,

Agreed, they have listened, and Shares is better for it.

I also like the new floats section, very useful.

i'd also like to point out ARJEN that shares is not there just to point out the Goldmines, its also a magazine teaching about pensions, ISAS, helping to compare different investment/online investment tools, its there to give you a push in the right direction,
you surely can't expect to be able to read the tips of the week, buy into that company and make a mint, after all nobody knows the future, we can only make an educated guess!
I enjoy reading my SHARES mag every thurs, and i appreciate the time spent researching each individual company no matter how big or small!
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK TO ALL INVOLVED.

I agree with several others that the criticism of Shares magazine is a bit excessive. I've found it a great pointer for undiscovered shares. As always, everybody should still be carrying out their own additional research and this often leads to further undiscovered opportunities. For me, that's the essential point. It provides a great start for discovering other areas of opportunity. Imagine what you would have to pay a full service broker for the info that you get in Shares for 2, per week and what full service broker provides tips on micro caps anyway? Access to the Money AM website and, of course, this BB, make it even better value. And no, I am not a Shares employee and nor do I have any connection with the company. Would give the same recommendation to Investor's Chronicle and to one or two tipsheets as well.

I am still a beginner with share trading and just play small amounts- started 6 months ago and with the help of Shares and other further research, got a nice profit of 30% by now.

There is one statistic I have seen and that is only 1 in 1000 traders make it over the longterm - another severe bear market and most on these boards will vanish but the writers at Shares Mag will still be making money. Have a look at what the traders are saying on the "honesty" thread.

Just hold on a second there Maddoctor, who says the posters here are TRADERS, I would say that most are INVESTORS and that you will find the Traders here on this site in the Traders Room.

I dont dispute that figure on traders as I know myself that it can be a tough world in a Bear market when trading, not impossible though as I have been through Bear markets and did quite well in the last 3 year one.

Ashphel Patel says that only one in 10 traders makes a profit in any market.

cheers GF.

GF.
Missed mag as sold out this week so about to subscribe as the few copies I've had have been a great read (mind you I'm a novice)!! I've only just found this site, new to the internet as well....and found comments & people really helpful. Any tips for the morning...?

I like the Shares Magazine.

Use the tips for pointers to shares which are then in the headlines and attracting market interest. At least they are then likely to move one way or another!

Look at the fundamentals and charts and then watch and wait for a few weeks or perhaps more let the hyp to die away. There is rarely a need to hurry when you are buying.

Perhaps, buy a few if all seems well and the share price hasn't ramped away. But lookout for , rights issues and options which have have not been declared especially with the non-profit making with high RD plans on products which have hyped up expectations. Especially if they are low priced shares. Look at the %dilution on a share of a shares price of 3p by a placing of share at 2p.

It happens too often in small companies, News of a potential fantastic new development. Share price reacts, some selling and then news of a placing of for 10 or more % of the normal share holding. Add the dilution to the spread, brokerage and stamp duty and you may have a long wait to make up for any haste in buying.

Checking cash in hand can be useful, but often with smaller non cash earning companies, with good news the begging hat appears

The problem with many of the smaller companies tips is the spread is often very wide and therefore the price movement has to %greater. Often I will buy a share and while every one is cursing because the price falls below the Tip price if you have time to wait that share returns to give a good return if held for long enough. RTD, Amstrad for egs. But the idea and fundamentals ahve to be good.

But I have bought in many companies which are no longer on the market. And sold many who I have waited at the church door only to get fed up and sell, only to see them sail upwards in the arms of another wooer a few weeks later!!!

If only I could remember what I have just written every time I have money in hand.

C'est la vie.

PS.
I shouldn't say this. But!! have a look at Techinvest Stockinvest Newsletter. For me it has been very reliable and help me over the last 5years or more.

goldfinger , I know this is the investors room , just surfing on a sunday as you lot have some good things to say. Was having a go at those maligning Shares Mag. Myself no longer an investor , the bear market taught me better!!!.

Hi all,

I am smiling at the response to my post and note NOBODY agrees with me.

If the contributors to Shares magazine,ALL newspaper pundits/Stockbrokers/Banks
Prudential ..............etc are so smart why are they not multi -billionaires.
Warren Buffett /Ken Fisher and 5,6 others are probably the only ones worth
taking SERIOUSLY.
rgds aj

Well ARJEN due to the fact that your not as you say "CRUISING", why should we listen to you or take you seriously????

Did I suggest you take me seriously - I am the same as everyone here i.e.
trying to help and be helped in our dealings?

I repeat my : - if the contributors are so smart -------------
rgds aj

well i repeat ARJEN, all newspaper pundits are just like yourself trying to help and if your saying wqe shouldn't listen to them then why should we listen to you? or am i missing something?

Good for you MrDavies!!!!

Cheers amberjane,
i do believe their are two sides to every story but Arjen doesn't seem to look at either side of an arguement!

Did I ask you to listen to me ? I am merely giving my OPINION.

Many of the writers are Professionals in that that is their occupation,hence,
many take their advice/suggestions very seriously to the extent that they -
amateurs - will deal solely on what they say e.g.their Stockbroker.I am merely
trying to make a small attempt to stop regarding them as financial Gods and
making the point that if they e.g.your stockbroker is that smart he should be
a billionaire.
rgds aj

rgds aj

and i was just making the point that you don't have to be a billionaire to be good at your job, it would take millions to make billions surely??? also bearing in mind that we have just coming out of a bear market!!
these people are here to help us and point us in the right direction, i for one know that without a magazine like SHARES or BB's like this then investing would be a whole lot more difficult!

Their job is making money for clients.If they cannot make millions/billions for
themselves then they are useless - especially a Stockbroker.

BBs like this do an incredibly good job because people are not greatly influnced
by any one post.We get a Huge amount of info on almost every post so we have
the opportunity to assess that information CRITICALLY and make a BALANCED
decision.If a person takes their Stockbrokers advise they are then taking the
view of 1 person and that 1 person is often biased e.g.Morgan Stanley made
BILLIONS of dollars dealing on Corus AND they were/perhaps still are one
of the RECOMMENDING BROKERS e.g . buy,sell,hold on the shares.I know - I bought
Corus at 8.00 and sold at 14 on foot of a Standard and Poor report.They subsequently went up to at least 52.00 in 2 months.Surely their report was
biased as they MUST have known about Morgan Stanleys position.I believe much
of the City is corrupt.

I have taken "Shares" from day one & think it is still improving except for one thing- the small size of the index recently. Would anyone join me in asking them to go back to full page size? Please post if so as I guess they read this thread.

I agree Grandma, please bring the index back to full size.

I would also appreciate the index back in full size.

Regarding the debate re: subscribe or not to subscribe. I find the magazine useful regarding information on small companies but do not rely solely on their recommendations before buying. Used alongside other factors sentiment, results due, charting, etc, the magazine is useful to me. However,over the past 5 weeks I have been experiencing problems receiving the magazine on Thursdays. The first call to the Subscription helpline I was told 'It happens, we cannot guarantee arrival on Thursday, 18,000 copies are posted Wednesday lunchtime on a weekly basis.' Last week I was told they are aware of the problem and investigating the reason for the delay. Some weeks I do not receive my magazine until the following Monday or Wednesday, which is of little use to me by that time due to the time sensitive nature of information. Is anyone else experiencing these problems?

Bella - I find Shares arrives on the thursday most weeks, but friday about once every 5 weeks. I rang subscriptions helpline once when it hadn't arrived by saturday and they sent another one out as they assumed it was lost in the post. Both copies arrived on the monday!

I find the quality of the articles very variable. Some are very well written, others not - often too basic. I like David Jones (the Chartist) and I usually learn something new from each issue. But I do find Shares a good starting point for ideas to do further research.

Bella, I too have experienced this problem. -This year I think it has only twice arrived on Thursday, usually it's Monday.

Hi all,
Thanks for your varied debate as ever on Shares, and thanks for MrDavies for pointing out that as a young man I would not be off cruising Saga-style. I for one have no interest in sitting on a floating hotel for four weeks, and certainly cannot see why it is being used as the ultimate facet of riches.
Rather be off trying to learn to sail for myself somewhere hot, or holidaying in the US.
Keep up the comment,

James (Shares)

I gave the wrong impression.Despite living in Spain I have no interest - even
if I had sufficient money - of cruising.However,vast amounts of wealthy people do.
I would prefer if people delete cruising from their posts as it distracts from
what I am saying i.e.if Stockbrokers were any good they would be multi
millionaires and not be Stockbrokers.This applies to newspaper pundits
and shares magazine .... etc.
SHARES magazine does a huge amount of harm because punters are unduly
influenced - as can be seen by these posts NONE of whom see the bad side of
it - by pundits.The quality of information on this board is,generally speaking,far superior to Shares magazine,etc because there is such a diversity
of opinion.
rgds aj

My opinion on Shares mag is as follows:

1) until about 1 year ago it was pretty poor but has improved considerably since. The Chartist is partic good. Compared to IC it is far far better.

2) the writers of articles are only human (journos) and are subject to the same emotions as everyone else so if they get swept up by market mania you cannot blame them for losses made by your own decisions based on their tips. This is true of all financial press

3) Many companies I would never ordinarily come across are featured in the mag which is useful. The stats are usually pretty good, and they do attempt to do some in depth research into companies

4) the 350 table is very handy. I would prefer a few changes to the format e.g. the large no. of zeros for profits etc could be reduced.

5) unlike a rival mag, they do not waste our time with tiddling articles about savings accounts and other amateur stuff available in every weekend newspaper.

6) It would be nice to have some better forward diary stuff for xd & results going forward at least a fortnight, as long as it was accurate.

7) As an investor, a tip should only be the starting point of one's research. Then you can delve into co accs etc yourself for the full background b4 making a decision to buy.

8) I would prefer greater emphasis on the Mid 350 cos. There are too many small companies in the mag. This Slater 'elephants don't gallop' theory is IMO nonsense. Adequate gains can be made from bigger co's as witnessed in the past year: e.g. RTR OOM, CW, MTC and the like. If you want to make 1000% on a micro share good luck to you, but that IMO is gambling unless you know the company extremely well.

7/10 for Shares. Keep up the good work.

These last few comments on delivery have concerned me as Smiths had run out last week of the mag and I was going to subscribe,(only so I don't have to get dressed early on a thurs). I thought though that you got upgraded access on this site if you subscribed so wouldn't you get all the news here and not need the paper copy??

are you all aware that you can get shares mag online , usually first thing Thursday morning - just subscribe yearly I believe

i would like to add my tuppence to this debate.i like shares mag. i dont like ic.my reasons are : i am not an experienced investor , some of the jargon goes straight over my head . i do believe in results though and i think shares tips do pretty well on the whole.
i also am interested in finding out more about sipps and isas. they are usefull there too.
i subscibe to shares and money am because they are both good strating points for finding out about companies that i would never have thought of. someone else has done some leg work and pick it up from there . in my job i meet a wide variety of people from different work places and its amazing what you can pick up. this is also a good starting point.

has anybody tried trendwatch they advert on the Mam thread.?
I personally dont do shares (very rare and than also they are european not ftse).But just a suggestion to put something else in the picture.

rgds
zarif

dont forget:
Trade wisely and safely
If you fail to plan then you plan to fail!!!!!

There is always this argument about why people write, teach etc. etc. I think you have to take all at face value and make your own judgement. I mean, Tiger woods has a coach so why doesn't the coach scrap Tiger and win the tournaments himself!?!?!?

Any how, I think the answer is more simple than that. An analogy....

Why does a dog lick itself............... Because it can.

(It probably enjoys doing it also, which is why I write articles, because I enjoy it (Writing articles that is!!!))

If a stock is bound to go up, why does a market maker sell it, Surely the market maker would be better off keeping for themselves. (Doh!)

That's an easy one. They put the price up and then sell :-)

Why do people become soccer writers instead of playing football? It's a pretty stupid argument. Anyway, hasn't anyone noticed that Shares has guidelines which it prints each week making it clear the journalists aren't allowed to deal in the stocks they write about? Which is more than can be said for some of the people ramping their portfolios on certain bulletin boards.

Disappointed with Shares Mag this wk. There's no mention at all of iTouch. In fact there's it's not even in the forward diary for next weeks results due 16th March. There has not been a mention since the beg of the year when it was tipped of the potential to go up x 5 !.
Bit cheesed of shares mag. Shares that it has previously gone mad on then seem to get forgotten. OK, there may be not much news to report on but.. we would like to know if they are still backing their original views. etc etc.

There are also alot of other shares that are in the same boat.. previously mentioned a good strong plays (buys) and then ... nothing.

Also, don't like their new minute index.. just to get more advertising in !?

anyone else notice the FTSE 350 tables were out of alignment last week's issue? Very irritating!

Can't complain about "the quality" of Shares, the usual problem is that MM's know in advance what we punters are likely to buy - so ups the price causing more of us to jump on. Better to wait a week or two and see which way the share is going.
re. Cruising - this applies to any media opinion like those that advise on TV doing-up houses - sometimes they just like to do something else!
The thing to remember is that sometimes they will be in contact with companies where we can't go - so they may have a fresher insight to the way the business is going ....but equally they may be overly keen due to a good presentation and meeting-mood. Don't forget that if management is lying it's still a lie from whatever source. Most managements want to bask in sunshine.
I prefer to read about companies and do precisely nothing; for when I buy the share drops and when I sell they rise a further 20%. Just sometimes I get it right, so who says you can't make luck?
Mine come from the newstand - puts a spring into my early walk.

Shares magazine is rubbish e.g.planestation.Name ONE financial pundit/writer/
stockbroker/institution - except Prudential and me that complained about the management /especially Oliver Inny.
Shares magazine is great - for dreamers
rgds aj

FTreader. If there are any printing errors in your mag you should let the editor know - we often used to get refunds from the printers when that happened with the magazines I worked on. Remember the mags are printed by an outside firm normally nothing to do with the publishers, and sometimes a batch goes out wrong - the editor often has no way of knowing what has happened unless you tell him.

hangon - doing nothing has been my best tactic recently. Anything else and I lose!

Hi all,

I am beginning to enjoy causing so much annoyance on so many treads - lol
rgds aj
N.B.I really think Shares magazine is reasonably o.k.

Skyhigh they like to tip PDL week in and week out and whatch the price move sideways

HT.

Yes. Index seemed even tinier today, maybe because so many companies covered.
Please ring up/e-mail/text/write to complain if you agree!

Lighten up Grandma - i never thought i'd get to say that! If you subscribe to Shares (just buy a copy RichardJHJ, the subscription phone no. is inside,) it costs you 99 a year. As a subscriber you have free access to MoneyAM - saving 50 per year? Net cost of 52 Share Mags, 49 or 94p per issue - less per week than half a pint of cheap lager or 5 cigarettes. Since November 03 I have bought the following shares after an initial BUY recommendation in the magazine.

CMS Webview bought @ 9.75
Lupus Capital bought @ 8.195
Host Europe bought @ 1.46
Tadpole bought 12.83

compare these offer prices with the current bids!

Several others haven't shown yet, but I haven't had them long, and the only turkey appears to be Cytomix. What is happening there?

I find SHARES an easy and enjoyable read and it's earnt me a few bob. As a rookie trader i think it's well worth the money. Much more fun than a half of cheap lager and 4 fags once a fortnight!

I enjoy reading it and always take their comments/views with an open mind.
rgds aj

Shares staff may hold shares in some of the securities written about on this site. All shareholdings will be disclosed where it may represent a potential conflict of interest. Information and tips included in the Shares magazine section of this site are general information only and are not intended to be relied upon by individual readers in making (or not making) specific investment decisions. Appropriate independent advice should be obtained before making any such decision. MoneyAM Limited, Shares magazine and MSM Magazines Ltd do not accept any liability for any loss suffered by any reader as a result of such a decision.

p-snow- I've taken Shares from the very first issue & hold all the stocks you mention.
I just don't want to be forced into bi-focals so that I can read the index, which has only recently been small print.
I don't subscribe because the post comes so late in my village, but thanks for the reminder that I could get the gist from MAM.

Skyhigh / grandma,

I agree, the Index is now a joke, and they should distribute free magnifying glasses with the next edition!

I realise the ads on that page will attract a decent premium, but to make the index so small as to not be able to read it is plain stupid, IMHO!

And if a potential reader can't see what's oin the mag, he may well just buy the IC where the index is very readable!

arkright,

I was delighted to read your letter.I suggest you post it every month.
rgds aj

mr aj sir, what letter would that be???

Shares staff may hold --------------
rgds aj

www.google.com

Type Shares Magazine if anyone wants to.
rgds aj

I subscribed to Share Magazine last year because it included access to moneyam website.

Today I received an Email from moneyam telling me that if I wish to continue to use 'Stockwatch' I will have to pay for 'active member' scheme.

Apart from the Bulletin Board, which I think is great most of the time, I only use 'Stockwatch' and object very strongly to having to pay more for what I've already paid an annual subscription.

What's giong on?

angi,per our e-mail.

Unfortunately, we have had to remove access to the html version(non-streaming) of Stockwatch due to charging cahnges by the LSE . This page does not refresh and is only used by a few of our users.

The streaming stockwatch facility will still be available to all users including Shares subscribers.

To see the two types there is a turn streaming on/off button at the top of each stockwatch page. Set the buton to streaming on (if its not already set) to see what the streaming version you will still receive looks like.



Ian

Hi Ian,

The following is not a criticism.

Has Moneyam ever considered making the magazine considerably more concise ?
I,like most Internet users,speedread articles to find the nuggets of information
I want.This wastes a lot of time,is tiresome and frustrating.Also,there is
the possibility I might not see what I am looking for.

rgds aj

Ian T, thank you for explaining, I've tried it and it's fine.

Please disregard my reply to your e-mail

Angi

ajren,

a good suggestion, but it is trying to strike the right balance - if we cut the stories to speed read as it were, this may not be to everybodies taste as some people would prefer to read the full article.

It is quite an involved process to get the magazine online in time for the Thursday morning, but I will as always pass your comments on to our developers.

Ian

Ian
WHen do we get an indexed archive??????????

phil,

There is already an archive for previous magazines by date order - if you go to Shares Mag and clicck on Archive near the bottom on the left hand side.

Do you however mean a more in depth archive i.e. searchable?

Ian

Ian,
I would find an indexed archive by Share name immensely useful - I presume this is what philj66 is asking for. I do believe this is something which could boost sales of Shares magazine as well as benefiting MoneyAM.
It is also something I would be prepared to pay a little more for.

Pete,

Thanks for the feedback, I can make no promises but I will pass your comments onto the appropriate department.

Thanks

Ian

Thanks Ian,
I understand the problem.

Perhaps you might consider getting some concise articles/views/opinions and
some complete articles.
rgds aj

I subscribe to Shares Mag the only problem is the mag arrives with all the tips the next day they are all marked up before the markets open so it is not possible to buy at the tipped price. Agood mag all the same

Yes this is something i have noticed a lot. If i was a suspicious person i would be wondering how that could happen as often as it does. has anyone else noticed this as well??

Keith, the market makers read the tips before the markets open.

If you wait a few days the price usually corrects, if it doesn't, probably means it was a very good buy.

Ian
Sorry suffering premature button depresion.
Re Archive: I mean; if I remember reading something on a stock,I currently have to go through all the copies to find it. Why not an alphabetical archive of all companies their mention date and article reference i.e. tip, figs,comment etc That way at least I can start to dispose of all my back copies which are now taking over my SPACE!!

phil,

thank you for getting back to me - I will pass your suggestion onto our development team.

Ian

well said philj66. my (much) better half has been complaining for a while that my copies if shares are taking over the house , piles of them breeding like , like , ...well piles of magazines.would much rather be able to log on and type in the name of a share and read everything that the magazine has had to say about that company. i mean that would be superb, going back and reading all the differing opinions in one go , instead of going through my old mags .