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.
Inside information: the line private investors must not cross
Inside information is not a clever edge for private investors. This guide explains what counts, why it matters and where…
Market colour: useful context or dangerous gossip?
Market colour can help explain price moves, but it can also become gossip. Learn how to test context before it…
Recommendation bias: why the City rarely says sell
Recommendation bias explains why City sell notes are rare, and how private investors can read analyst research without treating ratings…
Earnings revisions: the quiet signal investors often miss
Earnings revisions can move shares before the headline feels obvious. This guide explains what changed, who changed it and what…
Buy, hold or sell: why analyst ratings are not instructions
Buy, hold and sell ratings are research labels, not instructions. This guide explains how private investors should read them calmly.
What analysts actually do before a recommendation lands
What analysts check before a recommendation lands, and why private investors should read the research note, not just the rating.
Due diligence is boring, and that is why it matters
Why due diligence feels dull, and why that is exactly why private investors need it.
Synergies: the polite word that can hide merger risk
Merger synergies can make a takeover sound tidy. Learn what the phrase means, where the risks hide and what investors…
Institutional order execution: how big trades are hidden
Institutional order execution often happens in slices, not one obvious trade. Learn how VWAP, liquidity and day-long buying can change…
Hedge fund fees: what two and twenty really costs
Hedge fund fees can take a large share of returns. This guide explains two and twenty, hurdle rates, incentives and…