Standard life flotation

[caro82]

I am set to receive some shares from this flotation - probably in the region of �1000 worth. I have little experience of shares and stocks - should I sell these shares straight away or hold onto them a while and sell at a later date? What should I consider in my decision? I am aware this is not a huge sum of money, but it is still a nice sum I'd prefer to maximise where I can! All opinions gratefully received

[Catso]

Advice on things like this is very personal and specific to the individual. It depends on so many things.
FWIW, I'm due to get some and I think they'd be best sold, as the financial services industry doens't seem to have very rosy prospects at the moment. That's just a personal opinion, though.
If you have a mortgage, you'll probably get a better return putting it in that!

[caro82]

Thank you - you're right it is very personal and presumably dependent on how risk-loving I am! I would just like to collect people's opinions really so I have as much information as possible to make my decision

[GypsyGSD]

I have decided to sell my shares , I thought i would treat myself to a holiday, if i was younger and could build them up over a few years adding to them with bouns shares i would have definatly have kept them, but i only have a small amount cant see it would be worth it ,so I suppose its down to the individual and there circumstances , me im off to the sun

[123paul]

I would hang on to them for at least a couple of months:

SL will almost certainly be a FTSE 100 company, given its likely capitalization.

Consequently, all portfolios / trusts etc that guarantee to invest in FTSE100 companies or track FTSE100 will have to get around to purchasing some in the months after the floatation so you should be able to make some money if you keep your eye on the price during this time.

[WendyS]

Obviously every individual's financial situation is different.
I plan to hang onto my shares for the time being. There's a lot of speculation that once Standard Life has floated it could be subject to a takeover bid which will could cause the value of the shares to rise.
Also, if you hang onto your shares for a year you will be granted one free bonus share for every 20 shares you hold.
Once the company has floated you'll be able to check the share price regularly in the Share Index pages of The Financal Times, The Telegraph and certain other papers which regularly print the share prices.