Educational Articles

Knowledge Base

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.
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Reading time • 7 minute(s)
Small Budget, Real Returns: How to Start Investing with Little Money
You can start investing with little money by using fractional shares, ETFs, and low-minimum brokerage accounts. Today, even £10–£50 can be enough to make a first investment and learn how markets work. The key is not starting big, but starting with structure, low costs, and realistic expectations. Over time, regular small contributions can become more powerful than waiting for the “perfect” large amount.
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Reading time • 5 minute(s)
Why XTB Offers One of the Best Low-Cost ISAs in the UK
Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) remain one of the most popular ways for UK investors and savers to grow their money in a tax-efficient environment. With the ability to invest or save up to £20,000 each tax year without paying UK capital gains tax or income tax on returns, ISAs are a powerful tool for long-term financial planning. However, choosing the right provider can make a significant difference to your overall returns. Platform fees, trading commissions, and low interest rates can all reduce the potential growth of your money over time.
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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 • 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)
The Private Market Boom: What Every Investor Should Know About Private Markets
A buzz word in the financial sector right now is private assets and there is a broad trend in wealth management towards increasing the retail trading community’s access to private markets. These markets have long been the preserve of institutions and wealthy individuals. However, this sector is expanding, and retail traders are gaining access to a new suite of financial products that offer access to private assets.
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Reading time • 3 minute(s)
Best Trading Apps in the UK 2026
Selecting the right trading app is a crucial step for investors in the financial markets in 2026. With an increasing number of platforms available, each offering distinct features, tools, and fee structures, making an informed choice can be challenging. This article provides a review of the leading trading apps in the UK, highlighting their strengths and limitations to help you identify the best fit for your investment goals. At the forefront of this landscape is XTB, a well-regulated platform known for its advanced technology, comprehensive educational resources, and strong user support.
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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 • 4 minute(s)
How to Invest in Stocks with XTB
Investing in stocks can be one of the most effective ways to build wealth over time, but navigating the stock market requires knowledge, the right tools, and a trustworthy platform. This article will walk you through everything you need to know about investing in stocks using XTB, including what XTB is, how to open an account, place trades, manage your portfolio, and optimise your investment strategy.
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Reading time • 4 minute(s)
How to Choose the Best Forex Broker in the UK
Choosing the right Forex broker in the UK is a crucial step toward achieving success in the financial markets. Whether you're just starting out or you're an experienced trader, selecting a reliable and well-regulated broker ensures your funds are protected, your trades are executed fairly, and you have access to the tools and support needed to thrive. With countless brokers available, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. That’s why we’ve created this step-by-step guide, to help you confidently evaluate and select a broker that meets your trading goals.
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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 • 2 minute(s)
How to Look for the Best CFD Broker
Choosing the right CFD broker is a critical first step for any trader looking to access the global financial markets. With hundreds of brokers offering similar services, it can be challenging to identify which one truly aligns with your trading goals, experience level, and risk tolerance. Whether you're a beginner seeking user-friendly tools or an experienced trader demanding tight spreads and advanced platforms, knowing what to look for is essential.
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