Avast (LSE: AVST) is a Czech cybersecurity software company that has its headquarters in Prague. Millions across the world use the company’s anti-malware and antivirus applications.
Keep reading for more information and a step-by-step guide to buying shares in this world-class software company.
On website
eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk
eToro
Highlights
- Trade and invest in top financial instruments, including a wide selection of stocks.
- eToro is regulated by CySec, FCA and ASIC
- Your funds are protected by industry-leading security protocols.
On website
Hargreaves Lansdown
Highlights
- Offers easy-to-use trading platforms.
- Invest across 20 international exchanges in shares, funds, bonds and investment trusts.
- Dealing charges depend on how many trades you make each month.
On website
When you invest, your capital is at risk.
Lightyear
Highlights
- With the launch of Vaults, you can earn interest rates of 5.17% APY on GBP, 3.63% APY on EUR, and 5.38% APY on USD, with a flat fee of 0.25% for all deposit sizes and no minimum or maximum limits.
- Invest in over 3,000 international ETFs and stocks in the EU, UK, US, and more.
- Simple and easy-to-understand pricing. Per order, Lightyear will charge 0.1% (up to $1 max) on US shares, £1 on UK shares, and €1 on EU shares.
- Earn interest* on uninvested cash, USD (4.50%), EUR (3%), GBP (4.5%) p.a. gross.
- No account-keeping fees.
*The interest rates are true as of 06.24.2024
* Finty will be paid a referral fee, including financial promotion if you open an account and deposit funds through some of the links on this page.
Pros
Cons
On website
Saxo Markets
Highlights
- It only takes five minutes to open your account online.
- Get ultra-competitive spreads and commissions across all asset classes.
- Get news, commentary and actionable trade ideas from their team of expert analysts.
On website
Wombat Invest
Please read the following disclaimer before applying.
Wombat Invest
Highlights
- Simple and straightforward investing app.
- Allows you to invest in ETFs (Standard ISA or GIA) and Fractional Shares (GIA only).
- Get a savings account and unlock 4.91 %AER (variable) paid daily.
- Open an Individual Savings Account and invest up to £20,000 each year.
Disclaimer: When you invest, your capital is at risk.
On website
80.9% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs
Pepperstone
Highlights
- Trade gold, silver, oil, and more.
- Enjoy industry-leading low spreads from 0.0 pips.
- Regulated by ASIC, BaFin, CMA, CySEC, DFSA, FCA, and SCB.
On website
Freetrade
Highlights
- With fractional shares, you can start investing from only £2.
- Choose from thousands of stocks from the London Stock Exchange, NYSE and NASDAQ.
- Access to a wide range of ETFs and Investment trusts.
Compare the best trading platform in the UK with Finty. Research fees, commissions, tradable assets, markets, etc.
Step 1: Set up a trading account
Despite being headquartered in Prague, Avast is listed on the London Stock Exchange. Make sure the broker you choose has access to this exchange.
When comparing options, check what commission and foreign exchange fee the broker charges as well as features like market access, available tradable instruments (shares, funds, commodities, etc.), whether they have fractional share investment, etc.
Some brokers offer demo accounts. These are free to set up and don’t require a deposit. You can use them to get a feel for the trading platform before funding your account and taking a position.
Step 2: Fund your account
You’ll have to complete your account verification and deposit funds before you can buy shares.
Funds can be added to your account with a bank transfer, debit card, and sometimes with a credit card.
Note that depending on how you transfer funds to your investing account, it can take up to two days to clear. Deposits from a Faster Payments bank transfer or debit card are typically available within minutes.
Step 3: Decide how much to invest
It's important not to invest more than you can afford to lose because the price of shares can go down as well as up.
If you believe in what Avast are doing, you can invest on a regular basis to build up your position in the company. This approach to investing also reduces your exposure to price volatility.
Step 4: Invest in shares or an ETF?
ETFs are a type of investment that can be useful if you are looking to spread the risk of investing, perhaps because you are a young investor investing for the long term or just want a passive approach without the risks involved in trading individual stocks.
ETFs with shares in Avast include Global X Cybersecurity ETF (BUG), ETFMG Prime Cyber Security ETF (HACK), and iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA).
Step 5: Configure your order
The market order type is the most basic way to buy shares. Once executed, the broker will buy at the next available price.
Most brokers allow you to set up an order that automatically gets executed when the share price hits a pre-defined level, e.g. sell shares when it hits a certain price so you avoid taking a loss.
Some brokers also have recurring orders where you can buy shares periodically, e.g. once every month. This is a way to build your position over time. It also reduces your exposure to price volatility.
Step 6: Place your order
Once you have configured your order, submit it to buy your shares.
The company regularly makes announcements about new products they are developing or launching, which are good sources of information. Their financial results and news stories that mention Avast and its competitors also provide an insight into what may happen to your investment.
The price of Avast’s shares is impacted in part by consumer and business spending habits. When consumers have less money available, they tend to switch to using free security products. But this is, to some extent, countered by the launching of new services and news stories about the dangers of being online, notably, the rise in identity theft and the negative impact it has. With the introduction of billions of internet-connected devices in the coming years, Avast has the potential for substantial growth.
Avast’s main competitors are Symantec (NASDAQ: NLOk), McAfee (NASDAQ: MCFE), and Trend Micro (TYP: 4704).
Disclaimer: We put our customer’s needs first. The views expressed in this article are those of the writer’s alone and do not constitute financial advice. Advertisers cannot influence editorial content. However, Finty and/or the writer may have a financial interest in the companies mentioned. Finty is committed to providing factual, honest, and accurate information that is compliant with governing laws and regulations. Do your own due diligence and seek professional advice before deciding to invest in one of the products mentioned. For more information, see Finty’s editorial guidelines and terms and conditions.
