So everything is talking about investing in USA and Malaysia opening trading acc's here and there, but 'm betting my money in the European market.

Money transfer isnt a problem, so is having a bank account in the European Union... thats sorted out ... so ignore this part.

Only problem is having the right person/brokerage, lowest rates, platforms/electronic trading and understand some rules and regulations for a foreigner to invest in the FTSE to be specific "The London Stock Exchange".

If there is someone out there whose already in this market please do advise...

This post has been edited by aurora97: Jan 28 2008, 01:53 AM

I'm also looking for UK based stock brokers. So far, execution-only brokers that I'm looking at is TDWaterhouse, selftrade and barclays. Barclays won broker of the year for shares magazine. I'm not sure whether you need to be british resident to sign up for these accounts. I've tried HSBC but was rejected because of not being a resident and was forwarded to the offshore HSBC brokers which allows foreigners but the fees are on the high side.

yeah i have seen the fees really a turn off and also the offshore accounts for foreigners don't think that will go to well in my books.

Can check the rates here:
(refer to PDF file - its so ugly i dont even know where to begin)

http://www.hsbc.co.uk/1/2/personal/investm...:11j77g6mh#cost

Another down side....

How long does it take to set up an account?
Applying online is easy and your account will be set up within 3 working days. You can also apply by telephone and speak to our Customer Services team, who will take your details and send documentation for you to read and sign.

To apply for HSBC InvestDirect you must be 18 years or over and a UK resident with an HSBC Bank Current Account.


Attached File(s)
 investdirect_charges.pdf ( 404.52k ) Number of downloads: 7

I think the fees are very reasonable. Considering that in malaysia the minimum brokerage fee is 40RM! In UK its only £12.95, relatively much cheaper.

eh... take into consideration of the exhange rate, probably ur working there so thts an exception. Than again it can be as cheap as 0.01% depending on Volume if u trade with certain brokerages online.

Taking exchange rate in consideration is misleading. In malaysia, you need to buy atleast 7000RM worth of stocks to justify the RM28 online brokerages charges, otherwise your order will have to go up quite a few points in order to turn a profit. With lower brokerage charges and its flat rate in the UK(nothing to do with exchange rate), your share will turn a profit without needing to move up alot, thus also reducing risk. The only downside with exchange rate is that you need to have a larger capital in ringgit to start trading.

I've never heard of 0.01% brokerage charges in the UK. Cheapest brokers are execution only brokers and average price is £12.5 flat, there is some promotion with some brokers that go to £6.95, and frequent traders are priced at £6.95.

I get the first sentence...

Correction
but the 0.01% brokerage i meant Malaysian brokerage firm dont know which online Ebroking company offers that. Saw it somewhere...

Sorry If I sounded condersending.

So far the cheapest broker in malaysia I've come across is hlebroking which is charging 0.1% but then there is a minimum charge of 12RM and supposedly this will have to change after SC makes the announcement after 31st Jan. Then hlebroking will have to be in line with the rest of the brokers which is 40RM minimum for phone deals and 28RM for online deals.

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Added on January 30, 2008, 12:18 amOh..btw. I've opened an account with barclays stockbrokers. Have to do it via mail and they do accept foreigners.

This post has been edited by vaxen: Jan 30 2008, 12:18 AM

Correction to the corrections...

oh snaps I made a mistake again, sorry using preferential rate don't know whats the actual market %.

oh oh thats great i think i will speak with barclays and see what they have to offer thx!