Educational Articles

Knowledge Base

Reading time • 5 minute(s)

ETF vs Shares: What's the Difference?

ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds) and shares are both investment instruments you can buy and sell on a stock exchange, but they work very differently. When you buy a share, you purchase ownership in a single company. When you buy an ETF, you purchase a single fund that holds a basket of assets — which could be dozens, hundreds, or thousands of individual stocks, bonds, or commodities. The key difference is diversification: a single ETF can give you exposure to an entire market or sector in one transaction.

Reading time • 5 minute(s)

Top 5 stocks to watch in July 2026

As we start the second half of the year, the focus is switching to Q2 earnings season. Last quarter saw stunning results for the chip makers, the Dow Jones closed the quarter at a record high, and the Nasdaq had its fourth best quarterly performance ever. This was in contrast to the FTSE 100, which was a global laggard. As we move into July, the focus is on whether the rally can continue and if there anything that can trip up the AI trade. Below, we look at 5 names that we think are worth watching in the coming weeks in both the US and the UK.

Reading time • 4 minute(s)

Top German Stocks to Watch During Football Tournaments

Every four years, the FIFA World Cup turns the global economy into a secondary spectator sport. Billions of euros flow through kit sales, broadcast rights, hospitality, and consumer spending and while the football plays out on the pitch, traders and investors track the ripple effects across financial markets. Germany, home to some of the world's most prominent sportswear brands and a major force in global manufacturing and technology, sits at the intersection of football culture and financial markets in a particularly interesting way. Here are the key German stocks that attract attention when tournament season arrives and why.

Reading time • 3 minute(s)

England vs Croatia: Markets to Watch Ahead of the World Cup Clash

As England prepares to take on Croatia in one of the most anticipated matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, investors are keeping an eye on more than just the action on the pitch. Major sporting events often capture global attention, but they can also highlight broader market trends. From forex markets and FTSE 100 stocks to oil prices and sports-related shares, there are several investment opportunities and risks worth watching before kick-off.

Reading time • 4 minute(s)

Best Stocks to Watch During the FIFA World Cup in 2026

The FIFA World Cup is more than just the biggest event in football, it's a global economic phenomenon. The tournament attracts billions of viewers, millions of international travelers, and significant spending on merchandise, advertising, food, entertainment, and sports betting. As a result, several industries can experience increased business activity during the competition. For investors, the FIFA World Cup presents an opportunity to monitor companies that may benefit from heightened consumer engagement and global travel demand. While the tournament alone doesn't guarantee stock gains, certain sectors historically receive increased attention during major sporting events.

Reading time • 7 minute(s)

SpaceX vs Tesla: Which Is the Better Investment for UK Investors?

Both companies are led by the same person, valued at over a trillion dollars, and built on stories that would have seemed like science fiction twenty years ago. But SpaceX and Tesla are very different investments — and understanding those differences matters before putting any money into either.

Reading time • 10 minute(s)

SpaceX Share Price (SPCX): What to Expect After the IPO

SpaceX starts trading on the Nasdaq on 12 June 2026 under the ticker SPCX. The IPO price is $135 per share, targeting a valuation of $1.77 trillion. But what happens to the share price after it lists and what should UK investors realistically expect in the weeks and months ahead?

Reading time • 6 minute(s)

How to Buy SpaceX Shares (SPCX) in the UK

SpaceX lists on the Nasdaq on 12th of June 2026 under the ticker SPCX. Here's exactly what UK investors need to do to be ready and what to watch out for.

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.

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:

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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