Investment Club in Munich

All:
I'd like to create an investment club- not a pooling of assets, rather a chance for current and future investors living in Germany (not just in Munich) to get together and discuss investment strategies and share ideas with each other. Let me know if you are interested and we'll decide where and when to meet.

Count me in for it!

I'm up for it too.

Me too

I'd come along!

Good initiative, the worst that can happen is that you ignore the mutual advice flying around. Depending o nwhen I'm also in.

please tell me this is code for organizing a grow op?

Hi, let me know what you decide / arrange and you can count me in.

Best Regards

Nearly missed it, thanks for the link in the other thread! Count me in!

Cheerio

I also would be interested. Who's organizing this?

Did u read the first post by chance?

Ah, I see (grinning sheepishly). Thanks!

I am interested - when & where?

Is the venue, date and time finalized. If yes, we need to move further with who speaks about what and if we need any kind of presentation stuff?

jackal, we have finalized a time, date, and location- the same as in the PMs. I did not have a formal agenda in mind, just informal introductions and conversations during/after a meal. Each of us has our own set if circumstances and questions and my idea was for us to share experiences with each other and answer each others' questions. If there is something specific you have in mind that you would like to discuss, by all means let us know in advance, and we'll be sure to address it. Investing is a broad topic and I would like to ensure that we address all questions or issues that any attendee might have.

I believe we should have an agenda set, otherwise it will be a mix of tens of discussions and no benefit will be taken.

I'm interested, too. When and where does the kick-off meeting take place?

OK, let's have suggestions for the agenda from those who have confirmed! Let us know what you want to discuss.

Couple items from me:

Outlook of German Economy
Review of Available investment options : Bonds, Stocks, Interest Rates, Treasury Bills, etc..
Review of Financial Institutions, Brokers,etc..
Tax free investments, off shore, emerging markets, etc...

I'm interested in these two especially. I'm not new to investing, but new to investing in Germany, so any head starts (which brokerage are cheapest, etc).

I'm also curious because I've been told it is especially difficult for American's to invest in Germany using German brokerages/mutual funds.

Looking forward to it!

TFL, the biggest problem you would face is if you want to invest in US-listed shares. There is also an issue with the reporting of your cap gains and dividends. We'll talk more about that at the meeting.

I'd be interested in:

Property investment
Outlook of German Economy
Tax free investments, off shore, emerging markets, etc...

I would be interested in discussing using Comdirect as the broker.

The following points are of my interest
1) Stock picking using price to earnings ratio and future price to earnings ratio
2)How using German brokers can we place put and call options (without the amount being blocked)

Areas I can contribute
1) Asian markets
2) Diversifying
3)Using Comdirect to trade
4)systematic Investment Plan
5)Also using analyst ratings and price target for stock picking

These are all great suggestions; however, I suggest that we prioritize what we will discuss and go in some sort of planned sequence with any topics we don't get to in the first meeting postponed for discussion until the second meeting.

Some of those who have expressed interest in joining us are looking to address practical issues such as which brokerage or platform to use. I suggest that we address that first, then hit up emerging markets and tax-free investments. Jackal can address Asian markets- sharpe, can you discuss Turkey and the Arab countries? I can discuss Brazil and Mexico. Does anyone have expertise in the new (2004 and 2007) EU members and Russia?

Any more suggestions from prospective attendees?

EDIT: just in case anyone is wondering, the only criteria for joining us is in an interest in investing- you don't have to have any experience at all, and in fact I'd like to see those new to investing benefit as well from the collective advice of the group and individual thoughts. I have found that those who don't have investing experience per se can still make valuable contributions because they bring applicable knowledge in other areas, e.g. region-specific experience.

Agree. Let's start with basics.

Edit: 1 more item; Sharing experiences

All the forementioned topics sound good and would be of interest to me. Personally, I don't consider myself to have expertise in any particular area, although I do have some previous experience in investing. I would be happy to share my own experiences as well as to hear what the specialists have to say. As I am only now beginning to take investing more seriously, I have a lot to learn!
I also agree it makes sense to first cover more practical issues (eg, brokerages/platforms).

OK, it is a buffett dinner, so we will be there for awhile. I think we should limit the agenda to the following:

1. Practical issues- how to trade, which platform to use, etc.
2. Discussion of emerging markets
3. Personal experiences

Niffer, some may be specialists, some may be individual investors, some may be newbies. All have something to add and no one is an expert on everything (some may come close, though).

Who would like to volunteer to discuss personal experiences with investing?

Who other than jackal would like to discuss a specific practical issues?

Anyone want to discuss investing in the EU-12 (new entrants since 2004)?

EDIT: if we have time (and I doubt we will beyond the agenda above) let's hit property investment. At a second meeting, I would tentatively suggest that we discuss tax-free investing options and macroeconomic issues in addition to property.

I can talk about my personal experience with investing. I should be able to give a 10-15 min summary. Anyone else?

I've had a PM from Conquistador saying he can't make it tonight, and suggesting we cancel the meeting, apparently a few others have had to pull out of tonight as well. I'm surprised he hasn't posted to the thread.

Are people still interested in meeting up tonight? I'd been looking forward to getting together with Starshollow for some other discussions.

yes, the meeting is canceled. I too got the message. May be anyone know a quick venue ?

Well I know a new Indian restaurant opened named "Royal India" which is in westend str 117.

There will be lot of place, as the restaurant is pretty new and we don't need reservation. If everyone is ok then we can fix it. I will call them and will inform.

I'm ok with just waiting. I'd rather have everyone there for the first meeting so we don't have to repeat things later.

Our intention was to cross the initial hurdle and not exclude anyone.

Its just to get started and then we can have regular meet ups. I am sure that there will be some dropouts at any given time. But any way the month of December is always uncertain.

I guess there seems to be more of a concensus for waiting. There's no real urgency in all this. I've already decided on my investments for this year. I'm going to meet Starhollow somewhere close to the Hauptbahnhof anyway.

If we did just want to go for a meal anyway I'd suggest just tagging onto the Wed curry.

I'm a bit mad because I got in at 07:15 this morning, both to get something done with Singapore (work), and to work up a reasonable number of hours as I'd have to leave pretty early. 8 hours sleep good, 4 hours bad.

ok, we wait...

I would be very interested in the results from this discussion. In the US, I was very much a Vanguard (e.g. do it yourself, low cost, mostly passive) investor and I am looking for something similar in Germany. Any suggestions?

I didn't hear about the first meetings, but I would be interested in attending next time if it happens.

It will be on a Wednesday evening in January- when one is chosen, I'll let you know!

I'm new to investing, but I would be interested, too.

Any plans for the next meeting?
Wednesday the 9th?

S.

I'd love to join you! A total investment newbie, but willing to learn.
Want to make the most of my stay in Germany, which hopefully will be a long one.

Is the meeting date/venue etc confirmed yet?

Cheers

me too, very interested to learn as well.

I would be interested too. I could give a 10-15 minute brief on my experience trading index options and oil options in the US. Winning trades and losers.

Please count me in, I'd be interested to join as well. I'm interested in general investing, but also have some specific interest in Retirement investing.

I'd be interested as well

I'd be interested to join this as well. Have a bad track record, so my advice isn't the most valuable, but want to hear other strategies / experiences, and share my pitfalls (damn semiconductors).

I may be interested in joining this. I'm already a hobby invester with an account in the U.S albeit boring stocks and funds.

If there is a way to invest in Germany without paying commission for every dividend reinvestment etc., I would like to hear about the different possibilities.

When is the meeting? I have travel coming up soon.

Frau Fruit

I would be interested as well.

I am interested as well.
Is a date already been decided ?

Were are all the BULLS? sleeping?

Who else is holding cash?

Hi guys,

I'd like to join your club as well. I'm from Bulgaria , a recent EU member and can provide some useful information. Is the club still open?

Pavlin