Financial Markets
32 articles in this category.
BeginnerWhen Does the Market Open? Hours by Exchange, Asset Class, and Time Zone
A plain-English guide to US and global market opening times, extended hours, holiday closures, and the best windows to trade across asset classes.
BeginnerForex Market Sentiment: What It Is and How to Read It
A plain-English guide to forex sentiment: what buy-to-sell ratios mean, where to read them, and how to use extremes as contrarian setups.
BeginnerMost Volatile Stocks: How to Find and Trade Them
A practical guide for retail traders on where to find the most volatile stocks, why they swing, and how to trade them without blowing up your account.
BeginnerBest S&P 500 ETFs: US and European options compared
A plain-English guide to the best S&P 500 ETFs in the US and Europe, with fees, structural differences, and a checklist to pick your first fund.
BeginnerPassively Managed Index Funds vs. Active Funds: Which Suits You Best?
A clear-eyed comparison of passively managed index funds and actively managed funds: mechanics, costs, tax drag, downturn behaviour, and how to choose.
BeginnerTypes of ETFs: a practical guide to equity, bond, commodity and specialty funds
The main types of ETFs, from broad market equity funds to leveraged and ESG options, and how to match each to your goals, costs and risk tolerance.
BeginnerETN vs ETF: Key Differences and Which One Fits Your Profile
ETNs and ETFs look similar on a trading screen, but one is debt and the other is ownership. Here is what that changes for your money.
BeginnerETF vs Mutual Fund: Structure, Costs, and Tax Impact Compared
A structural comparison of ETFs and mutual funds covering pricing, costs, tax treatment, liquidity and which vehicle suits different investor profiles.
BeginnerTrading Halts Explained: Circuit Breakers, Suspensions, and Delays
Trading halts freeze a stock, or an entire market, when volatility, news or order imbalances threaten orderly pricing. Here is how they work and what they mean for your portfolio.
IntermediateQuant Firms Explained: Strategies, Structure, and Careers
A plain-English guide to quant firms: what they are, how HFT shops differ from quant hedge funds, the strategies they run, and what it takes to join one.
BeginnerForex vs Stocks Trading: Key Differences for Retail Traders
A direct comparison of forex vs stocks trading for UK retail traders: hours, leverage caps, costs, tax treatment, and platform differences.
BeginnerOptions Trading Explained: Calls, Puts, and Broker Approval
How options trading works for UK retail traders: calls, puts, strike prices, premiums, broker approval, risk limits, and tax reporting, in plain English.
BeginnerStocks vs Indices: Risk, Diversification, and Trading Costs Compared
A direct comparison of stocks vs indices for retail traders: how each is priced, the risk profile, FCA leverage caps, costs, tax treatment and when to use which.
BeginnerBest Copper Stocks to Buy in 2026: Producers, Valuation and Entry Points
A structural supply deficit, EV adoption, and AI data centre demand are reshaping copper. Here are the producers, metrics, and entry rules that matter.
BeginnerCrypto Trading Explained: Spot, Leverage, and Regulatory Considerations
How crypto trading works for retail: spot versus leverage, FCA restrictions on crypto CFDs for UK clients, fee structures, HMRC reporting, and platform selection.
BeginnerCentral Bank Forex Impact: How Monetary Policy Moves Currency Markets
A trader-focused guide to how central bank policy shapes currency values, from interest rate differentials and QE to forward guidance and intervention.
Intermediate10 Economic Indicators Every Forex Trader Should Track
Learn which 10 economic indicators move forex markets, why each one matters, and how to use an economic calendar to trade smarter.
IntermediateForex vs Crypto: Which Market Has Better Risk-Adjusted Opportunities for Retail Traders?
Compare forex vs crypto on volatility, liquidity, regulation, and cost to find which market offers better risk-adjusted opportunities for you.
10 Forex Broker Red Flags to Watch Before Choosing a Forex Broker
Learn the 10 forex broker red flags that signal fraud or malpractice. Includes a step-by-step verification checklist and regulatory database links.
The Crypto Market Has Matured: Here Is What Investors Are Watching in 2026
The crypto market has matured. Here is what institutional investors and informed traders are actually tracking in 2026.
Geopolitical Risk Trading: What Trump’s War Policy Means for Your Positions
Learn how Trump's war policy affects forex, gold, and indices. A practical geopolitical risk trading guide for retail traders.
8 Signs That Indicate Currency Debasement (And What They Mean for Your Money)
Learn the key signs of currency debasement, from money supply expansion to purchasing power erosion, and what they mean for traders.
How to Evaluate a Prop Firm Before You Buy a Challenge
Learn how to evaluate a prop firm before buying a challenge. Use this due diligence framework to vet payouts, rules, and red flags.
What Are Derivatives? A Beginner’s Guide to Derivative Instruments
Learn what derivatives are, how they work, and why they matter. This beginner's guide covers futures, options, swaps, forwards, and key risks to understand.
What Is ROI and How to Calculate It
Learn what ROI means, how to calculate return on investment step by step, and what your results reveal about trading and portfolio performance.
Bull vs Bear Market: Understanding Market Cycles
Learn the key differences between bull and bear markets, how to identify market cycles, and strategies traders use in each phase.
What Is Commodity Trading? A Beginner’s Guide to Trading Commodities
Learn what commodities are, how commodity markets work, and the different ways to trade them, from futures and CFDs to ETFs and commodity stocks.
What Is Forex Trading and How Does It Work?
Learn what forex trading is, how the currency market works, and the essential concepts you need to understand before placing your first trade.
Index Trading: What Are Stock Indices and How to Trade Them
Learn what stock indices are, how they're calculated, and explore trading methods including ETFs, CFDs, futures, and options. A complete guide to index trading.
Stock Trading Basics: What Are Shares and How Do You Trade Them?
Learn what shares are and how stock trading works. This beginner guide explains how to buy stocks step-by-step, from choosing a broker to placing an order.
9 Key Reasons to Trade: Why People Enter the Financial Markets
Discover why millions trade financial markets. Explore the benefits of trading, from income potential and flexibility to skill development.
What is Trading in Finance? A Complete Beginner’s Guide
Learn what trading means in finance, how markets work, different types of trading, and what you need to start. A clear guide for beginners to get started.