The bigger the company, invariably the more marketable are their shares. You should get a relatively 'steady' ride from FTSE companies, but remember shares are about 'risk'. Certainly, quoted companies involved in internet businesses appear almost to be defined by their sky-high stockmarket valuations and their almost complete lack of current profitability. The most risky investments remain those companies that are new, that have never paid a dividend and which are in sectors of the economy which are as yet unproven, perhaps like some areas of the internet. A small company which claims it can create electricity from recycled rubbish may turn out to be a fantastic investment, but it may equally never get off the ground.
Smaller companies are generally a lot less well known.
While this can provide big investment opportunities, it will invariably mean greater risk as smaller companies often do not have the management expertise or the capital to get themselves out of trouble if they get into it. In recent times, promoters of stock market investment have advertised the attractions of putting money into far off places which appear to have great growth potential. Almost every year there has been a fantastic success story in emerging markets which has been touted by promoters. Brokers on the equity markets offer clients three basic types of service. A private client stockbroker offering a full portfolio service, either on a discretionary or advisory basis, will probably expect you to have at least 100,000.