Basically from what i have read ETFS and ETCs are cheap funds that allows you exposure in many different fields which could of been expensive to get in to i.e asia. Are they any other benefits or cons i should know about it.

I don't know who told you that 'outside u.k. investments' are expensive but anyway ETF's are funds that track a specific index or commodity. If you like to get the return of that index then you should go with the ETF.

Personally I don't like them and would never tie my expectations to an index as that would put the bar very very low but there are investors who are satisfied with that and then their best way is to get an ETF. They have risen in popularity in the past few years.

ETF's tend to be seen as a reasonably safe investment vehicle for ordinary investors, because of the way they spread risk about more. Similar to mutual funds but with a different tariff system IIRC.

Do you have a link whereby i can see the performance of ETFs and ETCs . Thank you

You don't really need any link. An ETF will track and try to duplicate the performance of the index/commodity it tracks.

For example an ETF which tracks the S&P500 will try to match its performance. It will not outperform it as that is impossible, i.e. if the S&P 500 gains 2% the ETF gains 2%.

I thought ETFs would allow you to spread your risk far and wide i.e precious metals or the mining sector etc having an ETF which locks on the FTSE seems too risky and pointless .

There are ETFs on a wide range of products. I used an index ETF as an example.

There are ETFs which trach commodites, sectors, etc.

Personally, I think ETFs are pointless to begin with and cater to middle-class investors who intend to stay in the middle class.

Risk depends on your definition of it. Risk usually is in close relation to a lack of understanding.

Are financial markets risky?

In my opinion no, not really. The lack of understanding by investors make them risky in the eye of those individuals which then scramble to minimize risk by overdiversification and severly cut in their ROI.

Is there risk involved in investments?

Always.

Do I say ETFs are bad?

No, they can be an addition to an overall portfolio for some novice investors.

Do I like them?

No, not at all.

I like individual shares but paying the tax and the transcation and stamp duty is getting my goat any chance of reducing these.

As I said before, I think that you are way too concerned with taxes. You should be focused on getting the highest return possible.

If you choose to avoid taxes you most likely go with products that you pay less taxes on but by the same token your ROI may suffer as well.

Focus on how much you will have left over at the end of each year rather then to avoid paying taxes and transaction costs.

If you have the capital to invest where t makes that big of a difference if you pay 15% or 20% or even 30% in taxes then you should have an accountant which will help you to reduce your overall taxes in a legal way.

I don't know what broker you use that charges you that much in transaction costs to begin with.