Ever thought about investing in the stock market? And then had second thoughts when you realised you didn’t have a clue where to begin? If so, you’re not alone.

A recent survey by financial software company timetotrade revealed that 70 per cent of people would like to own shares but have never done so, due to a lack of investment education, or simply because they find the whole prospect terrifying.  If this sounds familiar, then an investment club could be just what you are looking for.  

The stock market can seem a daunting place, but you don’t need to go it alone.  Get together with your friends, neighbours or colleagues to form an investment club instead.

The principle of investment clubs is simple: groups of like-minded people with some spare cash and time, form a group and pool a reasonable monthly sum which will be invested in stocks and shares. Members meet regularly to swap opinions and ideas, discuss possible investments, and then make democratic decisions about the club's portfolio. You don't need to have any experience of stock-picking or to understand the ins and outs of the City. All you need are friends with the courage to follow their convictions and the commitment to learn.
                                                                                                                                                                                         
Debbie Spinks, of the Sensatus Investment Club, says, 'I joined an investment club four years ago and haven’t looked back. From knowing nothing about the stock market I now know how to value a company, time investment decisions and manage my own share portfolio. 

'With work and family commitments I only have time to research and keep track of a couple of companies each month, but in the investment club we have 11 members all keeping their eyes on the market and researching stocks.  Everyone in the club brings different experiences and perspectives so we are all able to learn from each other.  As a team we can achieve far more than we can as individuals and we’ve actually beaten the market and outperformed most fund managers over the last two years.'
 
If you would like to learn more about investing, how to set up your own investment club or would like to join an already established club, volunteers from the UK’s investment club community will be holding an “Introduction to Investing” evening on Thursday 29th April 2010 at ExCeL London.

The event is run in association with The IX Investor Show.  The evening is FREE to attend, but you do need to pre-register beforehand to guarantee entry. To find out more, and reserve your place email info@sensatus.com, telephone 01273 624 333, or visit www.theinformationexchange.com.