James Beddington
James Beddington has spent two decades reporting on the City of London and UK financial markets. He writes about how markets really work, the players behind the prices, and what private investors need to know to level the playing field.
Agency front-running: when your order helps someone else go first
Agency front-running is the misuse of client-order information. Learn how it works, why thin shares make it harder to spot,…
Wash trades and painting the tape: manipulation hiding inside the volume
Wash trades and painting the tape can make a small-cap share look busier than it is. Learn the checks private…
The recovery-room call: when the same victims are targeted twice
A recovery-room call targets people who already lost money in a scam. This Street Smart guide explains the second hit…
Short and distort: the mirror image of the pump and dump
Short and distort is the mirror image of a pump and dump. This Street Smart guide explains how the scam…
Who profits from a takeover before ordinary shareholders do?
Who profits from a takeover before ordinary shareholders do? This Street Smart guide explains advisers, arbitrage, incentives and the risks…
Fund managers underperform too: what private investors should learn from that
Fund managers underperform more often than many investors expect. This Street Smart guide explains what costs, benchmarks and SPIVA evidence…
Ambiguous City phrases: what vague market language can hide
Ambiguous City phrases can hide the real question. This Street Smart guide shows private investors how to test vague market…
The Friday night drop: why awkward news appears when no one is looking
Friday night drop explained for UK investors: how to separate awkward news, thin liquidity and market stories before reacting too…
Director selling: when it matters and when it does not
Director selling is not always bad news, but it deserves context. This Street Smart guide explains what investors should check…
Director buying: signal, theatre or both?
Director buying can be a useful signal, but it is not proof. This guide explains what UK investors should check…