Educational Articles

Knowledge Base

Reading time • 6 minute(s)

Federal Reserve Interest Rate Forecast 2026-2027: Fed Expectations

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Interest rate forecasts are estimates based on available data and may change. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Capital at risk.

Reading time • 9 minute(s)

What Is Commodity Trading? How It Works and How to Start

Commodity trading is the buying and selling of standardised raw materials through financial derivatives or exchange-traded instruments without taking physical delivery of the underlying assets. The global commodities market sees trillions of dollars in daily trading volume, providing essential liquidity for producers hedging physical output. Investors use these markets to navigate macroeconomic shifts, combat inflation, and capitalise on geopolitical supply constraints. This guide breaks down the essential asset classes, market mechanisms, and risk management tools required to start navigating global resource markets effectively. Key Takeaways Commodity trading involves exchanging contract rights to raw materials rather than handling the physical goods. The market divides assets into hard commodities like gold and crude oil, and soft commodities like agricultural crops and livestock. Traders utilise tools like contracts for difference (CFDs) and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to hedge against inflation and diversify traditional equity portfolios. The global commodities have an estimated nominal value of almost $135.5 trillion according to the Bank of International Settlements, and the United States is the largest market, capturing accounting for $62.75 trillion

Reading time • 7 minute(s)

What Is the Vanguard FTSE Global All-Cap ETF (VALL)? A Beginner's Guide

Investing in the stock market doesn't necessarily mean choosing individual companies. What if you could gain exposure to thousands of businesses across the world through a single investment? That's the idea behind exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and the Vanguard FTSE Global All-Cap UCITS ETF (VALL) is one example. Designed to track the performance of the global stock market, VALL provides exposure to thousands of companies across developed and emerging markets, including some of the world's most recognisable businesses. But how exactly does VALL work? What companies does it invest in, how much does it cost, and what should investors consider before buying? In this guide, we'll explain everything you need to know about the Vanguard FTSE Global All-Cap ETF and how eligible new clients can receive 5 Vanguard ETF Shares with XTB.

Reading time • 6 minute(s)

Is Oracle a Good Buy Right Now?

This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Capital at risk.

Reading time • 4 minute(s)

How to Trade the Budget

The UK’s budget will be delivered on Wednesday 28th October, it will be announced by the new Chancellor John Healey, and comes nearly a month before Rachel Reeves delivered her final budget in 2025.

Reading time • 9 minute(s)

Trading : What is it ?

How to explain what trading is and describe this risky and exacting process? Take a look and know what’s important.

Reading time • 5 minute(s)

Anthropic IPO — What UK Investors Should Expect

Anthropic, the San Francisco AI company behind Claude, is set for a mid-November 2026 IPO targeting a valuation of up to $2 trillion — potentially the largest initial public offering in history. The company will begin marketing its offering the week of November 9, with trading expected to commence before Thanksgiving. Here is what UK investors need to know about the valuation, timeline, financial performance, and critical risks.

Reading time • 6 minute(s)

Options vs ETFs Explained

What Is the Difference Between Options and ETFs? Options and ETFs both give you exposure to financial markets but they work in completely different ways. An ETF (exchange-traded fund) is a straightforward investment that holds a basket of assets and trades on a stock exchange — when you buy an ETF you own a proportional share of everything it holds. An option is a financial contract that gives you the right — but not the obligation — to buy or sell an underlying asset at a fixed price before a set expiry date. The key difference is that ETFs are designed for long-term investing with no expiry and no complexity around pricing, while options are time-limited contracts with more sophisticated pricing dynamics suited to experienced traders.

Reading time • 6 minute(s)

UK Mortgage Rates Forecast 2026-2027: When Could Rates Fall?

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or mortgage advice. Always consult a qualified mortgage adviser for guidance specific to your circumstances.

Reading time • 9 minute(s)

Gold as an Investment: Is It Still Worth It in 2026?

Gold has long been considered one of the most reliable stores of value - a hedge against inflation, currency devaluation, and economic uncertainty. For many investors, it is not about getting rich quickly, but about protecting what they have already built. But the full picture is more complicated than that. Gold can be highly volatile in the short term, generates no income, and has historically underperformed equities over long bull markets. Whether it belongs in your portfolio depends on factors that no single headline can address. By the end of this article, you will have a clearer framework for making that decision yourself. The key information to consider when answering the question "is gold a good investment in 2026" includes:

Reading time • 3 minute(s)

Trading 24/5: how to trade US stocks outside regular market hours

What is Trading 24/5? Trading 24/5 lets XTB clients trade selected US stocks outside regular market hours, from early Monday to late Friday. Instead of waiting for the US market to open at 14:30 UK time, you can react to news, earnings and global events as they happen. Trading 24/5 applies to selected US-listed stocks. It is not switched on automatically: you choose to enable it in the XTB app and accept the terms before you can trade outside regular hours. This guide explains how US trading hours work, what you can trade with Trading 24/5, the risks to consider, and how to switch it on.

Reading time • 7 minute(s)

How to Build an ETF Portfolio from Scratch (UK Guide)

Building an ETF portfolio from scratch might sound complicated, but it's one of the most accessible ways for UK investors to start growing their money. Whether you're saving for a house deposit, retirement, or simply making your cash work harder, a well-structured ETF portfolio gives you broad market exposure with low costs and minimal ongoing effort. This guide walks you through every step from understanding what ETFs are, to choosing the right funds, to automating your investments so your portfolio runs largely on autopilot. Your capital is at risk. The value of your investments may go up or down.

Reading time • 7 minute(s)

The Q4 outlook: Wars, oil and earnings season to dominate the end of the year

The Macro backdrop Where will the oil price go next? How the hawkish Fed could reshape markets UK: Where interest rates could go next The impact of higher sovereign yields The equity market view The commodities outlook Earnings deep dive: hyperscaler capex concerns and a high bar for Q3

Reading time • 8 minute(s)

What is an ETF and how does it work?

An ETF (exchange-traded fund) is a pooled investment security that holds a basket of assets and trades on a stock exchange just like a regular stock. The global ETF market holds over $22 trillion in assets under management, with three giants holding almost $13 trillion. BlackRock holds $6.1 trillion in assets through iShares, Vanguard holds $4.7 trillion mostly in ETFs tracking US equity indices, while State Street (SPDR) manages $2.2 trillion. This reflects the massive popularity of ETFs among modern investors. Whether you are building a long-term portfolio or making short-term trades, using ETFs offers an accessible way to achieve diversification, keep costs low, and maintain high liquidity throughout the trading day. Single security, multiple assets: An ETF holds a basket of assets (like stocks or bonds) within a single investable instrument. Intraday trading: Unlike some traditional funds, ETF shares are bought and sold on a stock exchange throughout the day at market-determined prices. Index tracking: The majority of ETFs are passively managed and designed to track the performance of a specific market index. Dual returns: Investors can generate returns through both the market price appreciation of the shares and any dividends paid out by the underlying assets.

Reading time • 6 minute(s)

Investment Plans vs Building Your Own Portfolio: What's the Difference?

Investment Plans vs Building Your Own Portfolio: What's the Difference? Investment Plans and self-built portfolios both give you access to the same underlying markets — stocks, ETFs, and funds — but they work in fundamentally different ways. An Investment Plan automates the allocation, rebalancing alerts, and contribution process within a structured framework. Building your own portfolio means making every decision yourself — what to buy, how much to hold, and when to adjust. The right choice depends on how much time, knowledge, and involvement you want in managing your investments.

Reading time • 5 minute(s)

5 Stocks to Watch in September

It has been a volatile start to the month for stocks, with bonds and stocks declining, and the oil price rising, as the Middle East crisis heats up. There is a challenging backdrop for stock markets this month. The oil price is higher by 11%, there is a 66% chance of a rate hike from the Federal Reserve on 16th September, after Fed chair Kevin Warsh struck a hawkish stance at the Jackson Hole conference, the ECB and the BOJ are also expected to hike rates this month, and seasonality tends to see a weak performance for stock markets in September. On top of fears about lofty AI valuations, this is a more nervous backdrop for traders compared to the rest of 2026. However, there are 5 stocks that we think are worth watching closely. They all have a strong narrative that could boost their resilience in the coming weeks, regardless of the market backdrop.

Reading time • 6 minute(s)

Options vs Shares: Which Is Right for You?

What Is the Difference Between Options and Shares? Options and shares both give you exposure to the price movement of individual companies, but they work in fundamentally different ways. When you buy a share, you own a stake in that company and benefit directly from any rise in its value. When you buy an option, you purchase the right — but not the obligation — to buy or sell that share at a fixed price before a set expiry date. The key difference is that shares are a direct, open-ended investment, while options are time-limited contracts with more complex pricing and a defined expiry.

Reading time • 5 minute(s)

Nebius Group: Why Nvidia Invested $2 Billion in AI Cloud Infrastructure

Quick Facts: $2 billion investment from Nvidia announced in March 2026 Nvidia owns 9.3% stake in Nebius Group (disclosed July 2026) Plans to deploy 5+ gigawatts of Nvidia-powered AI systems by 2030 Full-stack AI cloud partnership across hardware and software

Reading time • 8 minute(s)

How to Invest in Gold: 4 Methods Explained and Compared

Investors can choose from four primary methods to gain exposure to precious metals: physical gold, gold ETFs and ETCs, mining stocks, and CFDs on gold. Each option provides a distinct way to access the gold price, allowing you to align your strategy with your specific time horizon, risk appetite, and available capital. Gold typically plays a strategic role in diversified portfolios, with its primary function being to preserve purchasing power over time and provide long-term protection against inflation. Gold has surged past $4,000 per ounce for the first time in history, marking a remarkable 50% gain year-to-date, its strongest performance since 1979. The rally accelerated in August following the Federal Reserve’s dovish policy shift and new U.S. trade tariffs, with the ongoing government shutdown further intensifying market momentum.

Reading time • 5 minute(s)

Build Your Own Investment Plan with Stocks and ETFs

Investment Plans now let you go beyond a ready-made mix and build your own, choosing individual stocks and ETFs and setting the exact percentage you want to hold in each. If you already invest in individual stocks or ETFs but want a clearer, more structured way to manage them, a self-build Investment Plan gives you that framework without giving up control.

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