The Financial Times Guide to Investing: The Definitive Companion to Investment and the Financial Markets, 2 edition

The Financial Times Guide to Investingis the definitive introduction to the art of successful stock market investing. Beginning with the very basics of why companies need investors and explaining what investors do, Glen Arnold takes you through the practicalities of buying and selling shares. He describes different types of investment vehicles and advises you how you can be successful at picking companies, understanding their accounts, managing a sophisticated portfolio, measuring performance and risk and setting up an investment club.


The second edition of this bestselling introduction to investing explains how the financial markets operate, shows you what you need to know to be successful and encourages you to follow and act on your own judgements. Thoroughly updated to help you invest with skill and confidence, new sections include:


Online investing, website information and tools including screenshots and virtual portfolios as well as computerised counterparty trading

Detailed updating of tax rates and legislation, increases in ISA allowances and revisions to capital gains tax

A jargon-busting glossary to help you understand words, phrases and investing concepts

Recent Financial Times articles and tables which illustrate and expand on case studies and examples

Up-to-date statistics on the returns you can expect on shares and bonds



Investing can be profitable and fun and The Financial Times Guide to Investing 2nd edition, explains step-by-step both the essentials of investing as well as describing how the financial markets really work. It details the practicalities of investing, such as how to go about buying shares and describes the variety of financial securities you can buy, from bonds and unit trusts through to exchange traded funds.



Exploding the myths that only the wealthy can afford to buy and sell shares and showing you why you can be just as successful trading on your own as you would be by employing a fund manager, this authoritative guide book will help you build a profitable personal financial portfolio.


What is investment

The rewards of investment

Understanding stock markets

Using the financial media

Buying and selling shares

Pooled investments

Investing in bonds

Futures and options

Financial spreadbetting

Analysing companies and industries

Mastering company reports and accounts

Key investment ratios and measures

Ticks of the accounting trade

Managing your portfolio

Mergers and takeovers

Taxation and investors

Measuring performance

Investor protection

Investment clubs