Royal Mail shares: How to buy at the last minute

Are you interested in buying Royal Mail shares? You have just 48 hours left. We explain what you need to do.

The deadline to buy shares is midnight tomorrow so postal applications are unlikely to be received in time.  

Time is running out to buy shares in Royal Mail. Here our last minute checklist guides you through your options.

Can I still buy shares by post?

The deadline to buy shares is midnight tomorrow so postal applications are unlikely to be received in time, even if you send an application pack by first-class post today. To avoid disappointment your best option at this stage is to apply online or by telephone through a broker. A number of brokers, including Hargreaves Lansdown and Interactive Investor, will be open to receive share applications until midnight tomorrow evening.

A list of brokers offering the shares, and their dealing costs, can be found here.

The minimum investment is £750 and there is, in theory, no maximum. However, If the share offer is oversubscribed investors may receive fewer shares than they hoped for. The Government has not ruled out a first-come, first-served cut-off, which would probably see anyone applying from today miss out.