Shares Magazine was totally revamped this week.

Out has gone the tabloidy style, and aticles on small caps, in has come long articles by market 'experts' and large cap reporting.

The Prospector has been axed.

I am disppointed with the changes, and wondered if anyone else here subscribed or bought Shares, and had a view they wold like to share?

eviltatboy,

Unbelievable!

I did say they wouldn't revert back, but I expected some small changes.

is the management really so purblind and arrogant? .... very sadly it wouold seem so.
unfortunately, there is likely to be a knock-on effect here as many articles (used to) stimulate interest and further discussion.

Just like to record my displeasure with the new format. Totally had the guts knocked out of it and the index in small print and at the back is useless. I wonder if the government had something to do with it, they just have to meddle even if the existing system works! I agree with others that it will lead to a loss in circulation.

have not yet had a chance to look properly at the latest edition, but unless i am much mistaken there is at least a move in the right direction .... will comment further in due course .... i see notes/comments on a number of more modest companies - e.g. Petrofac and Rockhopper and several others - as well as articles on shorting and also Simon Griffiths returns on charts

come on then bullshare tell us where you did your research.it doesnt seemto be with any of the extremly pissed off people here.

have just noticed.top rh corner p1 the proffessional stock market weekly ,that excludes me !

Petal,
I noticed that too yesterday ..Looks like they are trying to target a higher section of the market...

Wake up Shares team !! Your magazine now contains nothing that cant be found on the internet

no difference between the Share and IC, these are horrible changes to the format it gets more like IC by the year.

I will only buy back if it ever changes back to the old format, the quality of the paper is appalling.

I too have been very disappointed by the new format
Would have been sensible to make changes slowly and bring readers with you
I did like the section on the oil services sector the other day

But, it looks as boring as Investors Chronicle in its feel
I always thought Shares mag was a bit more lively than the IC
If i wanted the IC, would have bought that instead of shares mag

Unless it changes for the better soon, I will cancel my subscription and revert to buying the odd copy from Smiths.

I like the new format, less glitzy and sensationalist and more informative. e,g, forex feature.

Whats with the funny colour backgrounds & light colour text.

ok for the young folk no good for us oldies 60+.

I really hate the new format and doubt I will subscribe again when the time comes.

I picked up a copy in Birmingham yesterday for the trip north to Carlisle, flicked through it, and placed it straight back on the shelf.

Shares are simply failing to cater for the retail investor interested in small cap stocks anymore, IMO.

A great shame.

there is a balance ...... "retail investors" do not or should not invest solely in small cap companies, and I for one, certainly perceive some improvement in the content of the latest edition .... still much to be done to restore a decent balance, but a move in the right direction at least.

Cynic,

"retail investors" do not or should not invest solely in small cap companies"

-----

Why?

I have done reasonably well over the years investing in purely smallcaps, and have no desire to change, as it is my principal area of interest.

I believe it is an area where the retail investor can have a slight edge through research before a company grows and the general market catches on.


Shares Magazine was always a small cap magazine, it catered for a niche market not already provided for by the highbrow (IMO) Economist, and dry and largely mid and large cap commentator, the Investors Chronicle.

Shares has now moved up to a position in between the Economist and IC (IMO), and one wonders where their market will come from, given that these two already have loyal readerships.

The loss of the old Shares has left a gap in the market, it will be interesting to see if it's filled, and if so, by whom.

Moneyweek is the closest, but would need to report on more companies than it currently does, and, maybe, and more likely, Tom Winnifrith's t1ps may spot the opportunity?

I very rarely post on these boards but feel I must this time, I thought I would give the new version of the mag a few weeks to see if I got used to it, which I have not. The previous style was much better and I will have to seriously consider whether to renew my subscription which I will do if it does not improve.

Can you believe in the letters page they've printed a congratulatory "letter" from a reader telling them how wonderful the new format is?! I guess that particular reader must get their copy in braile.

Noticed the self-congratulatory we beat the market on "Plays". However strangely, their "hot tips for 2008" have not been updated. Could this be because nearly all of them went down by 20% or more hitting the "stop loss". Some are down by over 50%.

Queen1,

LOL!

Not surprised by such a letter, but, IF it's genuine, you have to wonder if the person bought the mag before, and if so, why?

The content has completely changed, so if you like it now, why did you buy it before?

My guess is they will not revert back and are trying to tough it out hoping readers will stay loyal.

I think their circulation will fall due to them not listening to their loyal customers, but instead relying on "market reserch"

Yes, I noticed that too queen. Very selective of the many emails they must have received.

A terrible, if not cynical attempt at manipulation.