CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 74% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 74% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Educational Articles

Knowledge Base

Reading time • 7 minute(s)
SpaceX IPO: What UK Investors Need to Know
SpaceX is going public. Here's everything UK investors need to know about the confirmed listing and how to be ready when shares start trading.
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Reading time • 6 minute(s)
5 Stocks to Watch in June
This month is a huge month for investors. From the first FOMC meeting with new chair Kevin Warsh at the helm, a crucial UK election and traders trying to fit in watching the football World Cup, there are several key themes that could spike volatility and make it an extremely interesting month from a trading perspective. Below, we look at our top 5 stock picks for the month ahead:
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Reading time • 6 minute(s)
5 Stocks to Watch in May
Markets remain highly reactive to earnings surprises, sector rotation, and shifting macroeconomic trends, creating fresh opportunities for investors this month. From Porsche’s turnaround efforts and Nvidia’s highly anticipated earnings report to SoFi’s meme-stock momentum, Nike’s World Cup-driven catalyst, and BP’s strength amid elevated energy prices, these five stocks stand out for their potential to shape market sentiment in May. Here’s what investors should be watching and the key factors that could drive performance in the weeks ahead.
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Reading time • 8 minute(s)
SoFi Stock Analysis 2026: Earnings, Short Squeeze Potential & Growth Outlook
SoFi Technologies is basically trying to replace your bank, your broker, and your loan provider all inside one app. Instead of juggling multiple financial services, SoFi wants you to do everything in one place. Once a niche student loan refinancer, it has evolved into a full-scale digital banking platform often described as a “financial super-app.” With strong growth, improving profitability, and renewed investor interest, SoFi’s stock has been rallying again in 2025 - 2026. But what’s really driving the story?
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Reading time • 3 minute(s)
Oil Investing Guide: Stocks, ETFs & CFDs 2026
Oil remains one of the most influential commodities in global financial markets. From powering economies to driving inflation, crude oil prices impact everything from transportation to energy stocks. For traders and investors using platforms like XTB, oil presents multiple opportunities through stocks, ETFs, and CFDs. This guide explores how oil investing works, what instruments XTB offers, and how to build exposure using oil-based assets.
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Reading time • 5 minute(s)
Brexit and the UK: The Impact 10 Years After the Brexit Vote and What the Future Holds
The 10-year anniversary of Britain’s decision to leave the EU is coming up. A shock win for the leave campaign rocked financial markets back in 2016, although it was not until January 2020 that the UK ceased to be an EU member state. At the end of 2020, the UK left the single market and customs union and its new trading relationship with the EU came into effect.
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Reading time • 4 minute(s)
What Is a Stock?
Stocks often seem intimidating to beginners, filled with unfamiliar terms and fast-moving prices. In reality, stocks are one of the simplest and most accessible investment tools once you understand how they work. Whether you’re saving for the future, building long-term wealth, or just curious about how markets operate, learning the basics of stocks is a powerful first step.
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Reading time • 5 minute(s)
5 stocks to watch for in 2026
2025 was a strong year for equities. The MSCI World Index rose by 20% in USD terms, and the performance excluding the US was even stronger, the MSCI World ex US index rose by nearly 30%. The question now for investors is, can the rally continue? There has been a lot of anxiety about high valuations, an AI bubble, concerns about the health of the US labour market and the prospects for economic growth, however, stocks have continued to rally even with these fears. As investors consider their portfolios for the new year, the question is how will markets navigate 2026? Although concerns about global growth, the end of monetary policy loosening and high valuations are likely to persist well into the new year, there are also reasons for optimism. Analysts are optimistic about the outlook for earnings in the US, Asia and Europe, with expectations for earnings growth between 13-15%. For Asia and Europe, this rate of earnings growth is unusual, and there is a risk that the bar could be too high. However, a stronger economic outlook, reduced tariff headwinds for the Eurozone, and continued fiscal expansion, especially in the form of defence spending, provides a strong backdrop for European equities this year, and we may see continued outperformance vs. the US.
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Reading time • 2 minute(s)
Three stocks to watch for shareholder returns
When you think of income stocks, dividends usually spring to mind. However, there is another way to return money to shareholders and that is through share buybacks. There has been a buyback boom in the US over the last two decades, with share repurchases eclipsing dividends as the favoured way to return cash to shareholders. For example, roughly two thirds of the biggest US companies have repurchased shares in the last 12 months, according to Morningstar. Although the FTSE 100 traditionally pays a better dividend yield than the US, at 3.16% vs. 1.16% for the S&P 500, share buybacks have soared in the UK, especially since Covid19. The reasons for this include more flexibility, with dividend expectations for payouts every quarter, regardless of the fundamental backdrop. Also dividends can be taxed, and share buybacks are a way to help increase the price of the share price. The UK has recently become the share buyback capital of the developed world, with more companies looking at buying back shares than any other developed market in the last 2 years. Thus, when you’re looking for shareholder returns, think about buybacks and not only dividends. Below we look at 3 stocks that offer strong shareholder returns and could be a good investment.
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Reading time • 4 minute(s)
Is the AI Trade a bubble?
The AI trade has taken a wobble in recent weeks. The sell off was accelerated by President Trump’s threat of further tariffs on China, however, there have been multiple warnings in recent weeks from top investors and even the Bank of England, that the AI trade is looking stretched and could cause disruption to financial markets. David Einhorn, the investor who exposed the subprime mortgage scandal that caused the global financial crisis, said that the amount of capex spending on AI was ‘extreme’ and he questioned if the hyperscalers, who have pledged huge amounts to build out their AI infrastructure, had carefully laid out a return on investment plan or were pressing the trigger because they felt they had to. When David Einhorn speaks, it is worth taking notice.
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Reading time • 4 minute(s)
Rolls Royce: Turbo charging the FTSE 100
When you think of the UK stock market, it may not fill you with enthusiasm. However, there is one stock that is a British success story: Rolls Royce. It is the 5th best performer on the FTSE 100 so far this year and is higher by more than 100%. Its track record over the last 5 years is stunning: it is higher by nearly 3,000%.  It is worth noting that Rolls Royce, the UK-listed company, is distinct from the BMW-owned Rolls Royce luxury car brand. Rolls Royce is a £100bn company and its core operations include civil aerospace, defence and power systems for data centres.
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Reading time • 4 minute(s)
Why Uber Deserves a Spot in Your Portfolio
Uber’s share price has surged so far in 2025. It is the 20th best performing stock on the S&P 500, and it is higher by 57%. This is one of its best-ever performances, and the share price reached a record high on 18th September. 2025 is set to be a standout year for the stock, but what is driving the share price, and can it continue?
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Reading time • 5 minute(s)
The Pentagon Pizza Index: Why Monitor It?
In recent months, the term Pentagon Pizza Index has popped up everywhere: on social media, alternative finance blogs, and even in some geopolitical analysis reports. But what is it really about? And why should a pizza concern those dealing with economics and markets? In this article, we explore its history dating back to the 1980s, its social media virality, conspiracy theories (including those tied to Trump), and its economic and financial implications showing how seemingly trivial signals can impact market sentiment.
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Reading time • 5 minute(s)
5 FTSE 100 stocks to watch in 2025
The UK is in focus right now. From the threat of the biggest UK companies de-listing from the London Stock Exchange, to concerns about the economic and political landscape, and global tariffs, there has been much to bemoan about the outlook for UK corporates. However, it is not all doom and gloom. The main UK index is outperforming the main US blue chip indices YTD, along with the Eurostoxx 50 index and the Cac 40. Although IPO activity is fairly thin on the ground, and hopes for an anchor company that will list in the UK may not materialize in 2025, there are other reasons for optimism. The Bank of England is set to cut interest rates at the start of August, and there could be more rate cuts on the cards. Several economists think that a weakening labour market and expected tax rises in the October budget could lead to six interest rate cuts over the next year. This could have a significant impact on the UK market. Below, we pick 5 UK stocks that could shine for the rest of this year.
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Reading time • 6 minute(s)
What Are Meme Stocks? Why They’re Surging
Learn what meme stocks are, why they’re gaining attention, and which names like Krispy Kreme and GoPro are leading today’s rally.
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Reading time • 2 minute(s)
Why is Lloyds share price rising?
Lloyds Banking Group has seen a notable surge in its share price, gaining over 7% in recent trading sessions. Several key factors have combined to boost investor confidence in the UK banking giant, making it one of the top-performing stocks in the FTSE 100 this month.
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Reading time • 13 minute(s)
Novo Nordisk: How a Diabetes Drug, Ozempic, Became a Social Media Weight Loss Sensation
How did Ozempic take Novo Nordisk to the next level making it the 12th most valuable company in the world? Novo Nordisk, Danish pharmaceutical giant, has emerged as a leader in diabetes and obesity treatment with its blockbuster drugs Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy. The Danish pharmaceutical giant is already facing booming demand for Wegovy and its diabetes drug Ozempic with the company ramping up production to meet this surge while anticipating further sales growth as supply increases and Wegovy enters new markets. Looking ahead, Novo Nordisk is developing next-generation treatments that combine semaglutide (the active ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic) with other elements. This strategy aims to enhance weight loss benefits and potentially address other health areas. We can see how 2023 marked a banner year for Novo Nordisk, with Ozempic and Wegovy fueling significant company growth. Just recently, positive news from the FDA further propelled the company's stock to record highs. This excitement has led Novo Nordisk to rank as one of the biggest companies in the world with a market capitalisation of $446.57 billion as of March 27, 2024.  Let's take a look at the company and how it has come so far.
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Reading time • 3 minute(s)
Best Stock Brokers in the UK 2026
Choosing the right stock broker in the UK is essential for investors of all experience levels. Whether you're a beginner exploring commission-free trading or a seasoned investor looking for low fees, advanced tools, and diverse instruments, the right platform can make all the difference. In 2026, XTB stands out as the top choice offering a powerful combination of low-cost trading, user-friendly platforms, and deep market access. But how does it compare with other leading brokers like Trading 212, AJ Bell, Interactive Investor, and eToro? Let’s dive in.
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Reading time • 6 minute(s)
TACO: Trump Always Chickens Out - Why Markets Shrug Off His Tariff Threats
There was a time when Donald Trump could move global markets with a single tweet. Announce a tariff, and the Dow would tumble. Hint at a trade war, and the VIX would spike. Wall Street braced itself every time the caps-lock came out. But not anymore! In 2025, markets have learned the pattern and they’ve stopped caring. Despite Trump’s repeated threats of sweeping tariffs on China, Mexico, or “every country that cheats us,” investors barely blink. The reason? A four-word acronym now guides their thinking: TACO — Trump Always Chickens Out. The phrase, born half in jest and half in frustration, sums up a key lesson from years of policy whiplash: Trump talks tough, markets react... until they don’t. Because more often than not, the tariffs never arrive.
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Reading time • 5 minute(s)
Top 5 stocks to watch right now
As we move deeper into 2025, a new set of market leaders is emerging, companies that are not just surviving but shaping the future of technology, defence, energy, and finance. In this article, we spotlight five standout stocks that are capturing investor attention for all the right reasons. From Palantir Technologies, the S&P 500’s top performer, to Tesla’s bold step into autonomous ride-hailing, and from Metals One’s strategic push into critical minerals to The Smarter Web Company’s Bitcoin-backed business model, and ASML’s foundational role in AI chipmaking, each of these names represents a key theme driving markets right now. Whether you're looking for innovation, momentum, or strategic positioning, these are the stocks worth watching closely.
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