Since the early 1980s, millions of us have acquired shares in building societies, former public utilities or their own companies. Many have gone on to more active shareholding - and many more would like to. Published in association with Proshare, the organization whose aim is to make investing in the stockmarket more accessible, this is the perfect beginner's guide to the key principles and techniques of investment. It explains how to read the business information in newspapers and web sites, how to create a balanced portfolio, how to plan for retirment and to reduce your tax burden. It also provides advice on setting up your own investment club.