Recommended UK stockbroker?

Question

Can anyone recommend a good UK stok broker? By doing some research I found that some charge a flat rate whilst others charge a percentage when you buy and sell.

I was wondering if what charges I should be looking at and anything else when it comes to picking a good stock broker?

Thanks as always.

Answer 1

Hargreaves Lansdown Stockbrokers are excellent, prices from £9.95 per deal, online dealing, share information, tips, no extra charge for ISA, good interest rates on cashing trading account.  

Disclaimer:

The answers above are for guidance only and should not be acted upon without you receiving independent financial advice relevant to your circumstances.  To find and IFA please call 0800 085 3250 or go to http://www.unbiased.co.uk.

Answer 2

Get out Excel and run a simulation over 3 - 5 years ....

Most will charge an annual management fee .. most are %, some are flat rate, some are % capped ....

.. and much the same goes for dealing charges ..

Personally I have found that paying a higher Management charge is better in order to get lower dealing charges if your deal more than about 20 times a year (eg. 10 buys  & 10 sales) in lots of £3,000 - £5,000 at a time (eg Barclays) ... however it very much depends on no. deals / your 'normal' dealing value ..  if you deal up to £1,000 at a time, then the 'flat rate' / 'zero Management Charge' Co's are better ...

NB. If you want to deal in Unit Trusts / Investment t Trusts, some Co's will rebate some/all the up front charges / commission (eg. Hargreaves Lansdown)  == this can be very significant - a 5% up front charge on a £5,000 investment is £250 and will wipe out one or 2 years income from that investment ...