Stock Market for Dummies

If you want to have a go at the stock market, but don't really understand it, this account is a really easy way to start. It invests your money in the companies that make up the S&P/ASX 200 (which are the top 200 companies on the Australian stock market I think). All you need to do is watch the rate of that S&P/ASX 200 (on the TV news or internet) and pick your time to transfer money in from your ANZ Online Saver Account (which at the moment has a 4.25% deal for new accounts - 3.5% normally). When the S&P/ASX 200 goes up enough you transfer it out of the investment into your bank account again (can be up to a one business day delay on this so you need to do it early in the day). This is all done on the ANZ online banking site - easy. They charge a small amount for each transaction, check the site for the rate.

You also get dividends if your money is invested when the companies give them.

I'm a complete beginner and I made 5% over 11 days recently. A little while ago I made 8% over 2 months. Is this sounding like a dodgy midday tv ad? :-)

Of course, being the stock market it is a high risk investment (well, it's gambling really), so you wouldn't want to use essential money. Because of the slight delay (mentioned above) between you 'selling' and when ANZ can actually sell, you can never be exactly sure what it will sell for.

Beats chasing those 'high' interest bank account and when your money isn't invested it's still earning reasonable interest (3.5%).

Note - I have nothing to do with the ANZ or any other financial organisation. I'm just a Joe Bloe bloke off the street. Do make sure to read all the stuff on the site and in their Product Disclosure Statement before using this product.

Not sure if this sort of thing is ok on this site. Just chuck it if it contravenes any guidelines.

http://www.anz.com/aus/invest-and-insure/product-and-service…