Beginner investing
Build a foundation in funds, costs, diversification, bonds and company accounts.
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THE RESEARCHER’S SHELF
Links reviewed26 Oct 2026Guides & resources
Understand the data. Read the chart. Build a process you can question.
A CLEAR ROUTE THROUGH THE GUIDES
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Trading fundamentals
Learn the chart, order mechanics and risk arithmetic, then practise and keep a journal.
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Macro research
Follow official releases, handle revisions and compare a market narrative with underlying evidence.
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Read the chart, then explain it
8 short exercises on candle anatomy, context, gaps and timeframes.
Open chart practice →PLAIN-ENGLISH REFERENCELook up a market term
40 definitions with examples, source links and related guides.
Search the glossary →FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
All case studies →Work through a research case
Company accounts
Microsoft: revenue growth and cash after investment
Follow the same business from revenue to operating cash, then subtract stated cash investment. The growth story changes depending on the measure.
8 min · Historical worked exampleEconomic releasesInflation: a slower rise is still a rise
Use an archived release to separate annual inflation, monthly changes, the price level and the missing market-expectation comparison.
7 min · Historical worked exampleBonds & riskA policy-rate cut does not lock in a bond return
Compare a policy decision with a longer-maturity Treasury yield, then test a hypothetical duration calculation without inventing a fund return.
7 min · Historical worked exampleSHORT, PRACTICAL NOTES
19 guides · Read in any orderLearn one thing at a time
Investing01
Investing: build the foundation
Goals, time horizons, diversification and costs before individual investments.
4 min readTrading & risk02
Trading: write the risk before the trade
A testable plan, position sizing, order types and an honest trading journal.
5 min readCandlesticks03
Read a candle without guessing the story
Open, high, low and close — and what a candle cannot tell you.
3 min readCandlesticks04
Candle patterns: a visual field guide
Recognise common shapes, then ask about trend, location and contrary evidence.
4 min readTechnical analysis05
Technical analysis: make the chart testable
Trend, levels, momentum and volume with clear limits and invalidation.
4 min readMarket timings06
Market timings in UK time
Cash sessions, daylight-saving differences and economic release calendars.
3 min readResearch & data07
Build a research routine you can question
Trace a change to its source and keep supporting and contradictory evidence together.
4 min readInvesting08
Index funds & ETFs: read what is inside
The fund wrapper, the investment method and the exposure are different decisions.
4 min readInvesting09
Investment costs: follow the full bill
Fund charges, platforms, spreads, dealing and currency conversion can stack together.
4 min readResearch & data10
Company accounts: profit, cash and the notes
Connect the income statement, balance sheet and cash-flow statement before drawing a conclusion.
5 min readResearch & data11
Valuation multiples: ask what is in the denominator
Understand a P/E ratio before treating a low multiple as cheap.
4 min readTrading & risk12
Paper trading & backtesting: keep the failures
Practise the process and test a defined rule without turning simulation into a performance claim.
5 min readTools & offers13
Bonuses, trials & referrals: read the conditions
Eligibility, renewal costs, holding periods and commercial incentives matter more than the headline reward.
4 min readInvesting14
Bonds: income is only one part of the risk
Separate the coupon, market yield, duration and credit quality before calling a bond defensive.
5 min readInvesting15
Diversification: count exposures, not tickers
Look through overlapping funds, understand shared risks and decide how a portfolio gets back to its intended balance.
5 min readTrading & risk16
Order types: a price on screen is not a fill
Understand market, limit, stop and stop-limit orders, then make spread and slippage part of the example.
5 min readTrading & risk17
Position sizing: work backwards from a loss scenario
Turn an assumed price distance into a whole-share example, then check cash, gaps and costs.
5 min readTrading & risk18
Trading journals: a high win rate can still lose money
Keep a consistent record of planned risk, actual outcomes, costs and rule changes before judging a method.
5 min readResearch & data19
Economic releases: separate the number from the surprise
Read the period, adjustment basis, revisions and expectations before turning a headline into a market story.
5 min readNo guides match those filters
Try fewer words or choose another topic.
FREE WORKSHEET
Keep the plan and the outcome
A downloadable share-trading journal with 100 blank entries, calculated planned risk, net P&L and net R, plus instructions and four fictional examples.
GBP share prices and quantities only. Includes long and short arithmetic. Enter all costs yourself. No broker connection, macros or live prices.
Download the journal Excel workbook (.xlsx)Read the journal guide →The file stays with you. The site does not receive your entries.
TRY AN EXAMPLE
Put the numbers to work
Illustrative GBP calculations with visible assumptions. These calculators run on this page and do not save your inputs.
Planned position risk
Compare a chosen loss scenario with the cash committed. No risk percentage is recommended.
- Whole shares in this example
- —
- Cash committed
- —
- Loss at assumed exit
- —
- Entered risk budget
- —
Formula & assumptions
Budget = cash × chosen percentage, rounded down to the penny. Shares = the smaller of budget ÷ (entry − exit) and cash ÷ entry, rounded down to whole shares. GBP prices accept up to four decimals.
Unleveraged long shares only. This assumes all entered cash is available and excludes costs, currency changes and other holdings. A gap or worse fill can make the loss exceed the figure shown. It is not a maximum-loss calculation.
The cost of annual fees
Compare two constant annual fee rates under the same hypothetical gross return.
- Balance after fee A
- —
- Balance after fee B
- —
- Difference (A − B)
- —
- Balance before either fee
- —
Formula & assumptions
Final balance = starting amount × [(1 + gross return ÷ 100) × (1 − annual fee ÷ 100)] raised to the number of years. Each fee is applied to the balance after that year’s assumed growth.
One starting payment, no contributions or withdrawals. Returns and fees stay constant. Taxes, inflation, spreads, transaction charges and platform charges are excluded. Actual returns vary and can be negative; this is an illustration, not a forecast or product comparison.
LONDON TIME · DATE-AWARE CONVERSION
Know the session
Standard weekday cash-session hours in Europe/London. Excludes holidays and early closes; check the official calendars. This is not live market status.
Choose a valid date between 2000 and 2099.
London · LSE08:00 – 16:30London local time · Official calendar ↗
This date is a weekend. These are weekday reference hours, not a scheduled session.
13:30 GMTClock conversion only. Check the event calendar for an actual release.
SELECTED, NOT SCRAPED
50 of 50 resourcesResource library
Free lessons and public videos are the starting point. Books link to their publishers and are marked buy / borrow. Amazon book links marked Ad earn commission on qualifying purchases. Affiliate disclosure →
A beginner’s guide to investing
MoneyHelperUK introduction to investment types, uncertainty and the costs of investing.
Use it forUnderstand funds, fees and your time horizon before choosing individual investments.
Asset allocation & diversification
Investor.gov · US SECHow asset mix, investment horizon and diversification relate to portfolio risk.
Use it forSeparate the portfolio decision from a view about one stock or sector.
US context; account and tax rules differ in the UK.
Diversification
FCA InvestSmartUK regulator’s explanation of spreading exposure across investments.
Use it forCheck whether several funds actually leave you holding the same concentrated risks.
Building a Trade Plan
CME GroupA structured course on objectives, a repeatable method, risk and keeping a trading log.
Use it forWrite your process before practising it.
Exchange education uses futures examples; completing a course does not establish an edge.
Market, limit & stop orders
FINRAThe differences between common stock order instructions and their execution trade-offs.
Use it forKnow what your order asks the broker to do, and what it cannot guarantee.
Stop orders in volatile markets
FINRAWhy a trigger price and an execution price can differ, especially during sharp moves.
Use it forUnderstand slippage and the difference between a stop and a guaranteed loss cap.
Technical Analysis
CME GroupA short introduction to chart types, price information and technical studies.
Use it forLearn the vocabulary before adding indicators to a chart.
Introduction to Candlesticks
StockCharts · ChartSchoolBodies, shadows, doji and the context behind common candle shapes.
Use it forConnect open, high, low and close to the picture you see.
The lesson is free; the publisher also sells charting services.
Candlestick Pattern Dictionary
StockCharts · ChartSchoolA visual reference for named candlestick formations and their usual definitions.
Use it forLook up a pattern’s construction, then test it in context rather than treating its name as a signal.
Technical Indicator Guide
FidelityReference entries for trend, momentum, volatility and volume studies.
Use it forFind what an indicator measures and its assumptions before comparing signals.
Broker education; using the reference does not require choosing its brokerage.
Relative Strength Index (RSI)
FidelityRSI construction, common ranges and behaviour in sustained trends.
Use it forUnderstand why an overbought or oversold label alone is not an entry instruction.
Beginners’ Guide to Financial Statements
US SECThe balance sheet, income statement and cash-flow statement, and how they fit together.
Use it forRead company evidence alongside prices and headlines.
FRED economic data
Federal Reserve Bank of St. LouisSource series, definitions, observations and release information for macroeconomic research.
Use it forTrace a Market Radar reading back to its original series and units.
EDGAR company filings
US SECSearch original company disclosures, including annual, quarterly and current reports.
Use it forCheck the filing behind a financial comparison rather than relying on a headline.
US labour & inflation release calendar
Bureau of Labor StatisticsOfficial release dates and Eastern Time schedules for BLS statistics.
Use it forConfirm the actual CPI or jobs-release slot before converting it to UK time.
FOMC meeting calendars & releases
Federal ReserveOfficial policy meeting dates, statements, minutes and related documents.
Use it forDistinguish meeting dates, the decision announcement and the later minutes.
GDP, income & PCE release schedule
Bureau of Economic AnalysisThe official schedule for BEA economic releases, including GDP and personal income/outlays.
Use it forCheck the release date and reference period instead of assuming a fixed weekday.
NYSE holidays & trading hours
New York Stock ExchangeExchange session hours, holiday closures and scheduled early closes.
Use it forCheck the real trading day; the UK-time converter shows reference hours only.
London Stock Exchange business days
London Stock ExchangeThe exchange’s trading-day and holiday information.
Use it forCheck UK bank-holiday and half-day exceptions.
London Stock Exchange investing FAQs
London Stock ExchangeOfficial information about the main market’s standard hours and investing mechanics.
Use it forSeparate the main cash session from auctions or extended-hours services.
Ben Felix
Ben Felix · YouTubeResearch-focused explanations of portfolios, diversification and investor behaviour.
Use it forFollow the reasoning and cited evidence; distinguish broad principles from Canadian account rules.
The Plain Bagel
The Plain Bagel · YouTubeAccessible videos about financial products, investing and how markets work.
Use it forBuild vocabulary and recognise the trade-offs hidden behind product headlines.
StockCharts TV
StockCharts · YouTubeChart demonstrations, technical methods and market-analysis programmes.
Use it forWatch how a chart is read, then independently test the method.
Commercial charting publisher; commentary is not a verified trading record.
CME Group
CME Group · YouTubeExchange videos on futures, market mechanics and economic context.
Use it forLearn contract vocabulary and execution mechanics before studying leveraged instruments.
The Little Book of Common Sense Investing
John C. Bogle · WileyA long-term case for low-cost, broad-market investing and attention to fees.
Use it forStart with portfolio construction before stock selection. Publisher page; consider a library copy.
Ad · Amazon affiliate linkView on Amazon UK ↗The Psychology of Money
Morgan Housel · Harriman HouseShort essays about behaviour, uncertainty and the decisions people make around money.
Use it forRecognise your own incentives, time horizon and tendency to chase recent outcomes.
Ad · Amazon affiliate linkView on Amazon UK ↗Technical Analysis of the Financial Markets
John J. Murphy · Prentice Hall PressA substantial reference on charting methods, indicators and relationships between markets.
Use it forBuild a structured vocabulary. Historical examples are not evidence of current profitability.
Ad · Amazon affiliate linkView on Amazon UK ↗Japanese Candlestick Charting Techniques
Steve Nison · Prentice Hall PressA detailed reference on candlestick terminology, formations and chart context.
Use it forStudy precise pattern definitions and examples; test any rule before trusting it.
Ad · Amazon affiliate linkView on Amazon UK ↗Trading in the Zone
Mark Douglas · Prentice Hall PressA trading-psychology book about consistency, uncertainty and responses to wins and losses.
Use it forReflect on process and behaviour. Mindset does not replace a tested method.
Ad · Amazon affiliate linkView on Amazon UK ↗Bogleheads forum
Bogleheads communityDiscussions about diversified investing, portfolio design and personal finance.
Use it forRead the non-US area for jurisdiction-specific questions; verify any tax or product claim.
Public discussion; an account may be needed to post.
UKPersonalFinance community & wiki
r/UKPersonalFinanceUK-focused learning resources, a financial flowchart and links to the community.
Use it forPut investment decisions in the context of savings, debt and personal finances.
Community material is not personalised regulated advice.
Trade2Win
Trade2Win communityAn established discussion forum covering trading methods, instruments and practical questions.
Use it forAsk about definitions and testing. Treat calls, promotions and performance screenshots as unverified.
Free public threads; posting may require registration. Commercial contributors are present.
Exchange-traded funds, explained
Investor.gov · US SECHow ETFs hold assets, trade and differ from other pooled investments.
Use it forRead the structure, underlying exposure and trading risks before comparing funds.
US examples and account rules differ from the UK.
Mutual fund and ETF fees
Investor.gov · US SECA guide to fund expenses, fee tables and their effect on returns.
Use it forSeparate ongoing fund costs from platform, dealing and currency costs.
Compound interest calculator
Investor.gov · US SECAn official calculator for exploring contribution, time and assumed-return scenarios.
Use it forCompare assumptions, including lower net returns after fees. A projection is not a forecast.
How to read a 10-K
US SECA map of a US annual filing, from the business and risks to financial statements and notes.
Use it forRead the original disclosure before relying on a summary or headline.
Understand the price-to-earnings ratio
Fidelity LearnWhat a P/E multiple measures and the earnings period behind the denominator.
Use it forCalculate the ratio consistently before comparing companies. It is not an automatic valuation verdict.
Paper trading: how the simulator works
TradingView SupportOfficial documentation for practising with simulated orders and money.
Use it forLearn the order interface and keep a process journal without funding a trading account.
A free charting account is needed for the simulator. Simulated results do not establish live performance; the publisher also sells plans.
Check a financial firm and its permissions
Financial Conduct AuthorityHow to use the FCA Firm Checker and register, including warnings about clone firms.
Use it forCheck the exact legal entity, permitted activity and contact details rather than trusting an advert.
Recognise affiliate advertising
Advertising Standards Authority · CAPHow commercial links and affiliate content should be identified to readers.
Use it forRecognise when a recommendation can earn its publisher a commission.
Duration and interest-rate risk
FINRAHow duration describes a bond’s sensitivity to a change in yields, and why low duration does not remove other risks.
Use it forSeparate interest-rate exposure from credit risk. The price approximation has limits.
Bonds: the basic questions
Investor.gov · US SECAn introduction to bond payments, issuers and the risks of lending through a security.
Use it forDistinguish coupon income, market value and repayment at maturity.
Position size and planned risk
CME GroupConnect an account risk budget, a price distance and the value of one unit.
Use it forUnderstand the sizing arithmetic. A stop is not a guaranteed exit price.
The lesson uses futures examples. Our calculator covers unleveraged, whole-share long examples only; it does not recommend a risk percentage.
Keep a trade log
CME GroupA record of the plan, execution and review makes a trading process easier to examine.
Use it forKeep losses, rule breaks and costs in the same record as winning trades.
Why economic data are revised
US Bureau of Labor StatisticsAdditional responses, seasonal adjustments and benchmarking can change published estimates.
Use it forRecord the release vintage and the revised previous value before comparing headlines.
Consumer Price Index: methods and definitions
US Bureau of Labor StatisticsWhat the CPI measures, the populations and price baskets it covers, and how to interpret index changes.
Use it forCheck the exact measure, frequency and seasonal-adjustment basis.
UK statistics release calendar
Office for National StatisticsOfficial publication dates and release pages for UK economic and population statistics.
Use it forVerify the announced release and any schedule changes at the original source.
Stop, stop-limit and trailing stop orders
Investor.gov · US SECThe distinction between an order trigger, execution price and a limit that may prevent a fill.
Use it forUnderstand gaps, short-lived price moves and broker-specific trigger rules.
A Random Walk Down Wall Street
Burton G. Malkiel · W. W. NortonA broad discussion of market efficiency, diversification and the challenges of beating a benchmark.
Use it forCompare active decisions with a diversified baseline. Publisher reference; consider a library copy.
13th edition paperback. US account and tax examples need local context.
Ad · Amazon affiliate linkView on Amazon UK ↗The Intelligent Investor
Benjamin Graham · commentary by Jason Zweig · Harper BusinessA historical foundation for analysing value, investor behaviour and a margin of safety.
Use it forQuestion the assumptions behind a valuation. Author reference; consider a library copy.
Amazon destination is the revised edition with 2003 commentary. Historical examples and accounting conventions need current context.
Ad · Amazon affiliate linkView on Amazon UK ↗Public access can change. Some sites show ads or offer paid products alongside their free material. Forum posts and video opinions need independent checking; popularity is not evidence of trading results.
Education and research references. Examples are hypothetical; they do not establish an edge or recommend a trade. Apply source checks and keep contradictory evidence in view.