Cashing in shares

[Kazal]

I have had some shares for a High St shop for years and I have 2 questions - I have misplaced the share certificate, have hunted high and low, can I get a duplicate? I still get dividends regularly.
Also I sold some other shares through an agency advertised in a national newspaper and I didn't think I got a very good deal, the rate was nothing like showing in the papers before they took commission, can anyone please advise the best people to go to to cash some in.

[ubasses]

Firstly you will probably have to get duplicate share certificates and to issue them they will want an indemnity which will incur a cost.

The price quoted in the papers is the mid price, the selling price is always lower and the buying price higher. If you use your Bank to sell they should phone while you are there get a price for you and advise of any charges before you go ahead. There can still be a movement in the price (up or down) in the time it takes to get your instructions and actually sell but normally negligable.

[SlackAlice]

Yes, you can get copies of your Share certificate. You need to find the Registrar of the shares and apply. No doubt a charge will apply.

I'll leave the question about share dealers to others to answer.

[DocHH]

Kazai,
Contact the Registrar who sends you the Dividend to ask about a replacement Share Certificate for the High Street Shop shares. There will certainly be a charge for a duplicate Cerificate. You will not be able to sell those shares without a Share Certificate. You really need to calculate how much will you get if you sell them, and if the interest on that amount will be greater in a "building society" account than the dividends you are currently receiving. Factor in also the tax on a "building society" account is 20%, ACT on Dividends is 10%.
If it is only a small number of shares, then expect the cost of selling as a percentage of the Share value to be high. The prices quoted in National Media are the median price between the "buy" and "sell" prices, so never expect to achieve the higher quoted price.

[twix123]

You don't strictly need the share certificates in order to sell the shares, but you would need to complete a form of indemnity. If you are selling the holding through a bank or stockbroker, they will be able to tell you whether the completed Indemnity can be used to support the sale or whether a duplicate certificate will be needed.

Computershare nowadays seem to be the largest Company Registrar and also offer a share dealing service both via the internet and telephone. If they are the registrars for your holding, they should be able to advise you of the requirements and may be able to trade on your behalf, but you would need to compare their charges to those charged by other dealing vehicles. You would need to quote your Shareholder Reference Number which appears on your share certificates.

DocHH is partially correct regarding the taxation on any dividends received, as a 10% Tax Credit is deducted from your dividends, which is non refundable, but further tax would be due dependent upon your overall tax situation and marginal rate.

Do you get any worthwhile discount from the High Street shop as a shareholder perk, which may require a minimum shareholding?

If you Google 'Selling Shares' you should find many brokers listed who would undertake your transaction, at a price!