Street Smart
Inside knowledge on UK financial markets and investing. How the City actually works — and what that means for the private investor.
Dark pools, HFT and the trading world private investors never see
Dark pools, HFT, prop desks and inter-dealer brokers form the trading world ordinary investors never see. How it works, who…
How Big Bang actually changed the rules — and what it meant for private investors
The 1986 Big Bang deregulation rewrote every rule the City operated by. Here is what actually changed and what it…
Mergers and acquisitions — who really wins when companies merge
Most M&A deals destroy value for the acquiring company's shareholders. Here is why deals keep happening, who really benefits, and…
Boardroom Stock Pickers: Tracking Director Share Dealings
Company directors are required to disclose share trades. Here is how to read those announcements, what signals matter, and when…
Hedge funds — what they are and how they move markets
Hedge funds attract brilliant minds and enormous capital. Understanding how they work and how they move markets matters for every…
Market Makers: Who They Are and How They Affect Trades
Market makers sit at the heart of every share trade. Understanding how they profit from the spread, and what it…
City Analysts: What They Do and Whose Side They’re On
City analysts issue buy and sell recommendations every day. But who are they really working for, and what should a…
The City Spin Game: How PR Shapes Company News
Before you read a word about a company in a newspaper or on a financial website, a small army of…
Insider Dealing: What It Is, How It Works, Why It Persists
Insider dealing is illegal, widely condemned, and still happens in the City of London. Here is how it works, why…
Stock market scams: how to spot them before they find you
Investment fraud costs UK investors hundreds of millions each year. Here is how the most common stock market scams work,…