How to Pick Stocks

When investing, there are several ways to pick the stock to buy (or sell). In this beginner’s guide to stock picking we will look at some methods used by professional stock pickers. Knowing how stock analysts come to their conclusions will help you to understand what they are saying and why they are saying it. Putting to use some of their methodology and reasoning will also allow you to start selecting your own stocks. In turn this will make investing a more enjoyable process, and more profitable – but remember: practice makes perfect.

Analysts, professional investors, and traders use two types of analytical approach: fundamental analysis and technical analysis.

Top Stock Brokers in the UK

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    AvaTrade is a leading forex and CFD broker, established in 2006 and regulated across 9 jurisdictions. Over 400,000 users have signed up with the broker which processes over 2 million trades each month. The firm offers multiple trading platforms, including MT4, MT5, and a proprietary WebTrader. 1250+ financial instruments are available, alongside a comprehensive education center and multilingual customer support.

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    Interactive Brokers is a leading global brokerage that provides access to a comprehensive offering of stocks as well as forex, futures, metals, bonds and cryptos. The firm has over 40 years experience in the online trading industry and is heavily regulated by SEC, FCA, IIROC, and SFC. Traders use the proprietary Trader Workstation and can access powerful tools and data feeds as well as comprehensive educational resources.

  3. XM

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    XM is a globally recognized forex and CFD broker with 10+ million clients in 190+ countries. Since 2009, this trusted broker has been known for its low fees on 1000+ instruments. XM is regulated by multiple financial bodies, including the ASIC and CySEC.

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    Eightcap is a forex and CFD broker founded in Australia in 2009. The brand is popular for its raw spreads on 1000+ instruments and advanced MetaTrader platforms. With five global offices and ASIC regulation, Eightcap has built a strong reputation. New traders can also sign up for a live account in just a few minutes.

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    OANDA is an award-winning global broker, established in 1996. The hugely respected brand offers competitive trading accounts and serves clients from 196 countries. It has proven a popular option with both beginners and experienced traders thanks to its user-friendly and sophisticated web platform, no minimum deposit and premium currency products and services. The company is also overseen by reputable regulators, including the FCA, ASIC and CIRO.

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    FxPro is an award-winning forex, CFD and spread betting broker with over 2 million clients worldwide. The broker is regulated in 4 jurisdictions and offers 24/5 customer support, earning it a high trust and safety score. FxPro has also picked up more than 100 industry accolades for its competitive trading conditions, including fast execution and deep liquidity.

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    Markets.com is a respected broker, offering multi-asset trading opportunities through CFDs or spread betting (UK only). Established in 2008, the brand has an impressive 4.3 million registered customers and is overseen by trusted regulators, including the FCA, ASIC and CySEC. 79.1% of retail accounts lose money.

  8. Axi

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    Axi is a global forex and CFD trading firm, trusted by investors around the world. Highly leveraged trading opportunities plus a $0 minimum deposit make it a popular broker with beginners and seasoned traders. Axi also stands out for its resources, including copy trading and Myfxbook.

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    Videforex offers access to stock, index, crypto, forex and commodities markets via binary options and CFDs. The proprietary platform, mobile app and integrated copy trading are user-friendly and will suit new and casual traders, and the market analysis tools and trading contests provide good ways to improve your trading skills.

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    Focus Option is an offshore broker that specializes in binary options as well as CFDs. Binary options trading on forex, cryptos and three commodities is done through the broker's simple web-based platform with average payouts between 70% and 95%. The broker also offers a mobile app for trading CFDs, with 300+ tradeable instruments.

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    RoboForex is a global broker launched in 2009. The firm offers more than 12,000 instruments spanning 9 asset classes with trades from 0.01 lots and spreads from 0 pips. The broker's advanced copy trading tool is also home to thousands of active traders.

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    Forex.com boasts a global reputation with multiple awards and 20+ years experience. Regulated in the US, EU, UK and Canada they provide a huge range of markets, not just forex, and offer competitive fees on a cutting-edge platform. The brand also provides a suite of additional tools, from performance analytics and SMART Signals to advanced charts and strategy builders.

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    eToro is a top-rated multi-asset platform which offers both investing in stocks and cryptoassets. Launched in 2007, the brand has millions of active traders globally and is authorized by tier one regulators, including the FCA and CySEC. Cryptoasset investing is highly volatile and unregulated in the UK and some EU countries. No consumer protection. Tax on profits may apply. 76% of retail CFD accounts lose money.

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    Plus500 is a leading brokerage, listed on the London Stock Exchange with 25+ million registered traders. The firm specializes in CFD trading on its intuitive, in-house platform and mobile app. Spreads are low and there are no deposit or withdrawal fees. Plus500 also has a high trust score with licenses from reputable regulators, including the FCA, ASIC and CySEC.

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    IG is an award-winning broker that has an excellent reputation globally. The brand offers spread betting, CFD and forex trading across a comprehensive suite of markets. IG is also multi-regulated, provides a great trading app and has 50 years experience.

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    CMC Markets is a trustworthy brand authorized by tier-one regulators including the FCA and ASIC. Advanced trading tools, excellent market research and low fees help the broker stand out from rivals. The no minimum deposit, free demo account and social trading service have also made CMC Markets popular with aspiring traders.

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    OspreyFX is an ECN broker headquartered in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Established in 2019, the firm offers 120+ forex and CFD assets with high leverage up to 1:500, tight spreads from 0.1 pips and round-the-clock customer support. OspreyFX also stands out for its funded trading accounts where traders can keep up to 70% of profits.

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    Interactive Investor are a hugely respected, FCA-regulated investing firm. The trading platform is easy-to-use while the sign-up and deposit process is straightforward for new investors. ii also has a long track record and a string of industry awards under its belt.

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    Amega is an offshore STP broker offering CFD trading on forex, stocks, indices and commodities with very high leverage up to 1:1000 and a zero-commission pricing structure. Traders access markets through the MT5 platform and can test the broker's services through a demo account.

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    Errante is a Cyprus-based and regulated forex and CFD broker with leveraged trading on multiple assets, tiered accounts including a zero-spread option, and copy trading support. The broker offers leveraged trading up to 1:30 under its CySEC-regulated branch and 1:500 from an offshore branch, and supports the MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms. Errante's asset list is relatively limited but it does offer fast execution and low latency, and it is a trustworthy brand.

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    Kwakol Markets is a Nigerian headquartered broker with strong regulatory oversight in Australia and Canada. A great selection of asset classes are available, including synthetic products that simulate realistic market activity. Clients can trade on the MT4, MT5 and cTrader platforms, as well as a copy trading solution whereby a fee is only paid on profitable trades.

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    Coinexx is an unregulated broker that provides leverage up to 1:500 on forex, commodities, indices and cryptocurrencies with deep liquidity, pure ECN spreads and negative balance protection. The broker uses crypto as base currencies and has low minimum deposit requirements of 0.001 BTC.

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    Ingot Brokers is a multi-regulated brokerage offering CFD trading opportunities on 1000+ instruments including forex, stocks, indices, commodities and cryptocurrencies. The broker supports the MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms and offers both raw spreads and commission-free account options with competitive pricing and fast execution. It also has copy trading functionality and a decent suite of extras including educational content and calculators.

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    GoFX is an unregulated CFD and forex broker that covers instruments from currency, stock, index, commodity and crypto markets. Traders can sign up to a variety of account types with deposits as low as $1 and will trade using the popular MetaTrader 4 platform. Exceptionally high leverage up to 1:3000 is offered on the standard account, while traders with the low-spread account can access leverage up to 1:1000.

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    Axofa is a forex and CFD broker registered in St Vincent and the Grenadines. The broker offers three account types with access to forex, commodities and indices. With ECN processing, low minimum deposits and no commissions, Axofa could be an attractive option, although the broker does not hold a reputable license.

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    LonghornFX is a forex and CFD broker offering over 150 instruments with leverage up to 1:500. The firm is registered in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and was launched in 2020. Clients can access a strong selection of cryptos, alongside forex, indices, commodities and stocks. With ECN/STP processing, this offshore broker promises tight spreads and fast execution.

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    Firstrade is a US-headquartered discount broker-dealer with authorization from the SEC. The company is also a member of FINRA/SIPC. With welcome bonuses, powerful tools and apps, plus commission-free trading, Firstrade Securities is a popular online brokerage. It is also quick and easy to open a new account.

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    World Forex is an offshore broker registered in St Vincent and the Grenadines, offering commission-free trading with a $1 minimum deposit and 1:1000 leverage. Digital contracts are also available, offering beginners a straightforward way to speculate on popular financial markets.

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    FinPros is an offshore broker that provides CFD trading on 400+ instruments with high leverage up to 1:500. This is a reliable bet for traders seeking offshore options, with strong security measures, negative balance protection and segregated client funds. The extra features including trading tools and commission-free stocks make this a good choice for beginners, and experienced day traders will appreciate tight spreads.

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    Baxia Markets is an offshore CFD broker that offers trading on forex, commodities and indices with tight spreads on a straight-through processing model with ultra-low latency. Trade on MetaTrader 4 or MetaTrader 5 with leverage up to 1:500 and no restrictions to scalping or hedging strategies. Users also benefit from third-party copy trading services.

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    IQCent is an offshore binary options and CFD broker based in the Marshall Islands with 10+ payment methods and a low $50 starting deposit. With 100+ assets, around the clock trading and high payouts the brand is popular with aspiring traders.

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    FXCentrum is an offshore broker that offers highly leveraged, commission-free trading on diverse instruments with tight spreads. Traders can access forex, equity and commodities markets via MetaTrader 5 or the proprietary FXC platform and use the award-winning ZuluTrade platform for copy trading.

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    Vault Markets is an award-winning brokerage headquartered in Namibia. It is an accessible direct-market-access CFD broker with affordable minimum deposits, flexible funding methods and high leverage. This broker offers a very large range of forex pairs as well as commodities and indices through MetaTrader 4 or MetaTrader 5.

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    Zacks Trade is a FINRA-regulated US broker offering trading on stocks, ETFs, cryptocurrencies, bonds and more through a proprietary terminal. The broker is geared toward active traders and offers very affordable fees on most assets as well as an app and a vast amount of market data.

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    Revolut is a popular financial app that also offers trading on stocks, metals and digital currencies. The brand has over 25 million users worldwide with a choice of accounts, tools and services to suit different needs and budgets, including online investing and currency exchange.

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    Scope Markets offers day trading and investing in multiple spot and CFD instruments. The group of brokers is regulated in several locations, including Belize, Kenya and South Africa. Users get competitive trading conditions, a range of payment methods, strong support and can get started in a few straightforward steps.

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    TMGM is an ASIC-regulated forex and CFD broker with a vast range of tradeable assets covering forex, stock, index, crypto and commodity markets. The account types on offer provide a flexible choice between no commission or zero spreads, with competitive pricing all-round.

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    AZAforex is a multi-asset broker founded in 2016. The brand offers a sophisticated proprietary platform, ECN trading and 40+ deposit methods. The brokerage has 120,000+ registered customers with copy trading and a VPS.

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    Anzo Capital is an offshore broker that offers leveraged CFDs on 100+ instruments including forex, stocks, indices and metals. The MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms are supported, and traders can choose between an STP account with spreads starting from 1.4 pips and zero commission, or an ECN account with a $4 round-turn commission and spreads from zero. A decent range of payment methods are accepted, including crypto deposits.

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    RockGlobal is a New Zealand based and regulated CFD broker. They offer competitive spreads from 0.1 pips and a large range of assets, trading platforms and educational services, with up to 1:500 leverage. Operating in a Tier 1 regulated environment, RockGlobal offers peace of mind and excellent customer support. All client funds are held in segregated Trust accounts. Join a large community of active traders and get a 30% First Deposit Bonus!

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    VT Markets is an Australian multi-asset CFD broker regulated by the ASIC, FSCA, and SVGFSA. With 1000+ tradeable instruments, support for the MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms, plus powerful charts from TradingView, this broker provides traders with an intuitive way to access diverse markets. Spreads start from 0.0 on the ECN account with very competitive commissions on some instruments, and the commission-free account also has fairly tight spreads starting from 1.2 pips on the EUR/USD pair.

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    Founded in 2017, Pocket Option is a binary options broker offering up/down contracts on forex, stocks and cryptocurrencies. With over 100,000 active users and a global reach, the brand has proven popular with budding traders. Pocket Option also supports dozens of payment methods and has a low minimum trade of just $1.

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    Exinity provides flexible low-cost trading in FX, commodities, indices and equities alongside unique education and support provided by teams located across the world. Now operating in the Middle East, through regulation from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority in Abu Dhabi and the Financial Services Commission of Mauritius, Exinity provides a range of services to traders and investors looking for new opportunities in the financial markets.

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    ForexChief is a foreign exchange and CFD broker, established in 2014. The company is based offshore and registered with the VFSC and FMA. Users can choose between a wide selection of accounts and base currencies, making ForexChief accessible to global traders. The brand also stands out for its no deposit bonus and fee rebates for high-volume traders.

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    Pacific Union Prime is an FSCA and offshore-regulated multi-asset broker offering competitive fees and direct market access on forex, commodities, stocks, bonds and indices. The broker supports the popular MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms and a proprietary mobile app. Fees vary by account type with no commission and spreads from 1.9 pips on the Standard account and $7 commission per lot and spreads from 0.4 pips on the Prime account.

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    SuperForex is an offshore CFD and forex broker that offers highly leveraged trades on a wide selection of forex pairs plus commodities, indices, cryptos and stocks using the popular MetaTrader 4 platform. With a range of account types, including swap-free, micro and zero spread, this broker will suit traders with different styles and setups. SuperForex is also based in Europe and offers welcome bonuses and trading contests.

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    AdroFX is an online forex and CFD broker with a beginner-friendly copy trading platform, zero commissions and tight spreads. The mix of fiat and crypto deposit options will appeal to global traders while the choice of 8 accounts will suit different trading strategies and styles. Traders also benefit from 11.07 millisecond execution times with minimal slippage.

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    RoboMarkets is a Cyprus-based forex, CFD and stock broker aimed at traders from Europe. The broker offers thousands of instruments across six asset classes and provides access to four leading platforms, including MetaTrader 4. With ECN pricing, Cent accounts and algorithmic trading tools, RoboMarkets caters to a range of trading strategies and investing styles.

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    SageFX is an offshore, unregulated CFD broker that offers highly leveraged trading on forex, stocks, commodities, indices and crypto via the TradeLocker platform. Traders can access commission-free trading or an ECN account with tight spreads. While the broker's regulatory status is weak, it does provide segregated accounts and two-factor authentication.

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    Core Spreads is an FCA-licensed broker offering CFD and spread betting opportunities on a proprietary platform or MetaTrader 4. Traders can access more than 1000 instruments, including company shares, commodities, indices and forex. Spread bets have fixed spreads that start from 0.4 with no commission, while CFDs start from 1 pip plus a $1.50 charge per lot.

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    M4Markets is an award-winning broker regulated by the CySEC, FSA and DFSA. Clients can speculate on popular financial markets with ultra-tight spreads from 0.0 pips and very high leverage up to 1:5000. There are no hidden fees and funds are held in segregated accounts alongside negative balance protection.

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    MultiBank FX is an established broker offering forex and CFD products since 2005. With 20,000+ instruments, plenty of local payment methods and 24/7 multilingual customer support, the broker is a popular choice among traders globally. New clients can also access a variety of bonus offers and access the hugely popular MT4 and MT5 trading platforms.

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    Global Prime is a multi-regulated trading broker offering 150+ markets. Traders can get started with a $200 minimum deposit and trade with leverage up to 1:100. The firm also has a high trust score and a good reputation with a license from the ASIC.

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    Trade Nation is a top FX and CFD broker regulated in multiple jurisdictions including the UK and Australia. The firm offers low-cost fixed and variable spreads on 1000+ assets with robust trading platforms and training materials. The Signal Centre can also be used for trade ideas.

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    Trade.com is a trustworthy online broker with a global presence. The broker offers 2,100+ CFDs in major markets, as well as futures, options and more. The broker offers best-in-class platforms and superior analysis tools for experienced traders. The broker is also regulated by top-tier authorities including the FCA and CySEC.

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    Just2Trade is a reliable multi-regulated broker registered with FINRA, NFA and CySEC. The company has 155,000 clients from 130 countries and stands out for its huge suite of instruments and additional features, including a social network, robo advisors and a funded trader programme.

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    4xCube is an online forex and CFD broker registered and licensed in the Cook Islands. Clients can trade on popular financial markets and choose between three accounts based on their capital and trading strategy.

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    ActivTrades is a UK-headquartered CFD and forex broker established in 2001. The brokerage is heavily regulated with licenses from the FCA, SCB, CSSF, BACEN & CVM and CMVM. Over 1000 CFDs are available spanning 7 asset classes. Over 93.60% of orders are executed at the requested price. ActivTraders also offers a selection of leading trading platforms, including MT4, MT5, TradingView and ActivTrader platforms.

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    BlackBull is a New Zealand-based CFD broker with trading opportunities on forex, stocks, indices, commodities and cryptos. The broker supports the MetaTrader 4 and 5 platforms as well as TradingView and a proprietary mobile app. Clients can trade with high leverage and tight spreads from 0 pips on the broker's ECN accounts.

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    LQDFX is a straight-through processing (STP) broker based in the Marshall Islands. The offshore trading firm offers competitive spreads from 0.0 pips, free deposits, 24/5 support and access to the hugely popular MetaTrader 4 platform. LQDFX also runs a competitive bonus program with welcome incentives.

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    Swissquote is a Switzerland-based bank and broker that offers online trading and investing. The company has a high safety score and is listed on the Swiss stock exchange. The firm offers a huge range of products, from stocks, ETFs, bonds and futures to 400+ forex and CFD assets. Hundreds of thousands of traders have opened an account with the multi-regulated brokerage. Clients can get started in three easy steps while 24/7 customer support is available to assist new users.

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    SimpleFX is an offshore forex, CFD and cryptocurrency broker with over 200,000 clients globally. The broker offers a proprietary trading solution, as well as the reputable MT4 platform. Traders can access a vast selection of digital assets with crypto deposits and multi currency accounts.

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    EagleFX is a forex and CFD broker, established in 2019. The broker uses STP execution on the MT4 platform, offering tight spreads and low commissions. With leverage up to 1:500 and no restrictions on hedging or scalping, EagleFX is an attractive option for global traders.

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    FXDD is an established forex and CFD broker founded in 2002. Regulated in Malta, Mauritius, Peru and Malaysia, the broker provides secure trading platforms, competitive ECN spreads and reliable 24/7 customer support. Competitive pricing and ultra-low latency is also offered via the broker's Direct Market Access execution model and tier 1 aggregated liquidity.

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    FXPrimus is an award-winning CySEC-regulated brokerage offering CFD trading on 200+ instruments via the MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and cTrader platforms. The choice between a competitive commission-free account and two affordable raw spread options make this an accessible broker for anyone seeking forex, stocks, indices and commodities with high leverage.

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    FXTrading.com is global broker offering highly leveraged CFDs on 10,000+ assets, including forex, stocks, indices, commodities and cryptocurrencies. Competitive prices with raw spreads and low to zero commissions are available. Traders can use the popular MetaTrader 4 platform and will have access to a suite of additional analytical tools and other resources. The multi-regulated brokerage is authorized by the ASIC and VFSC.

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    FXChoice is a Belize-based broker established in 2010 and registered with the Financial Services Commission (FSC). The brand offers a wide selection of markets including crypto, plus the familiar MT4 and MT5 platforms. FXChoice stands out for its extra tools and perks, from LearnFx EAs to a VPS and Myfxbook's AutoTrade. New users can also claim a welcome bonus upon sign-up.

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    EZ Invest is a CySEC-licensed broker, launched in 2008, that offers trading on popular financial markets through leveraged CFDs. Traders can choose between multiple respected platforms, including MetaTrader software and a user-friendly in-house app. The reliable multilingual customer support team are also on-hand to support new users.

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    FXCC is a trustworthy trading broker regulated by the CySEC. The brokerage offers ECN trading executions, spreads from zero pips and no commissions. The brand is also well-known for its welcome bonuses and trading deals, including a free VPS.

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    Fortrade is a multi-asset, multi-regulated broker with branches regulated by the FCA, CySEC and ASIC among others. The brand offers trading opportunities on a wide range of instruments including stocks, bonds, commodities, forex, indices, cryptocurrencies and ETFs, with competitive fees and support for MetaTrader 4 and a proprietary platform.

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    FP Markets is an ASIC- and CySEC-regulated broker that offers forex and CFD trading on a broad range of assets through the MT4, MT5 and IRESS platforms. With trading available through standard and raw spread accounts on thousands of international stocks, forex, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, bonds and ETFs, this broker has some of the most comprehensive market coverage available. FP Markets also offers a full range of additional features, including educational resources and access to powerful software such as Autochartist.

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    IronFX is a multi-regulated broker offering CFD trading on forex, stocks, indices and commodities through the MetaTrader 4 platform. The broker offers various account types with competitive pricing, including spreads from zero on STP/ECN accounts. Leverage varies by regulator between 1:30 and 1:1000.

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    Admirals is an FCA- and ASIC-regulated broker with an excellent range of leveraged instruments, including forex, stocks, indices, ETFs, commodities, cryptos and more. The broker supports the MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and TradingCentral platforms. With both spread betting and CFDs available and thousands of instruments, this broker provides more flexibility than most rivals.

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    Libertex is a well-known broker, established in 2012. The regulated brand has served numerous clients and is regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission with license number 164/12. Libertex offers CFD trading on 250+ underlying assets, including through an innovative and user-friendly proprietary web trader platform. Choose between CFDs on forex, cryptocurrencies, commodities, stocks, indices and ETFs, which are available with tight spreads and low commissions.

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    DEGIRO is a Netherlands-headquartered broker with millions of users and authorization from leading regulators, including the BaFin and FCA. Clients can access global exchanges anytime, anywhere, and on any device. DEGIRO offers stock trading with exceptionally low fees and a huge range of markets. DEGIRO are not CFD brokers and do not offer CFDs.

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    NordFX is an offshore CFD broker offering forex, stock, commodities, indices and crypto trading with leverage up to 1:1000. Traders access markets through the MetaTrader 4 platform and benefit from low commissions, spreads from zero and decent extra features. Minimum deposits start from just $10, which will appeal to newer traders.

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    HYCM is an online broker with authorization from four international bodies including the FCA and CySEC. The broker offers CFD trading on forex, shares, commodities, indices, ETFs and Bitcoin, and supports the MT4 and MT5 platforms, as well as Trading Central analysis.

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    FXOpen is a multi-asset broker with regulation from several trustworthy bodies including the UK's FCA. The broker offers CFD trading on forex, stocks, commodities, indices, cryptocurrencies and ETFs via the MetaTrader 4 & 5 and TradingView platforms.

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    Infinox is a UK-based and FCA-regulated broker that offers diverse trading products thanks to its STP and ECN account types and support for MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and a proprietary platform. Clients can also benefit from a free VPS that can support automated strategies and a social trading platform, catering to both beginner and seasoned traders.

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    Hantec Markets is a UK-based multi-regulated broker offering CFDs on a range of forex pairs, stocks and indices as well as cryptocurrencies, commodities and bullion. With support for MetaTrader 4 and ZuluTrade, this broker provides good market access for traders of all experience levels, with competitive spreads from 0.2 pips.

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    Dukascopy is an online broker operated by a Swiss-regulated banking group. It offers a good selection of 500+ markets, with forex, stocks, gold, ETFs, indices, bonds and cryptocurrencies available. It also offers flexible trading opportunities through the choice of CFDs or binary options. Traders will use MetaTrader 4 or a proprietary platform that is well-suited to automated trading.

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    NinjaTrader is a US-headquartered and regulated brokerage that specializes in futures trading. There are three pricing plans to suit different needs and budgets, as well as ultra-low margins on popular contracts. The brand's award-winning charting software and trading platform also offers a high-degree of customization and superb technical analysis features.

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    GO Markets is an established forex and CFD broker with multiple industry awards and accolades. The ECN/STP broker is popular with budding traders, offering competitive accounts in multiple base currencies and a range of flexible payment methods. With top-tier regulation from CySEC and ASIC, GO Markets is a trusted broker.

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    Saxo is a multi-award-winning trading brokerage, investment firm and regulated bank. With a huge 72,000+ trading instruments, plus investment products and managed portfolios, clients have no shortage of opportunities. The trusted brand also offers transparent pricing and top-tier regulatory protection from 10+ agencies including FINMA, FCA & ASIC.

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    Spreadex is an FCA-regulated broker that offers spread betting opportunities on an impressive 10,000+ instruments including 60 forex pairs as well as shares, indices, bonds, interest rates, ETFs, commodities and cryptocurrencies. Traders can also speculate on financial markets with CFDs and options, and take positions on sporting events. The brand has been around for over 20 years and won multiple awards.

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    ThinkMarkets is a reputable CFD and forex broker with regulation from several top-tier bodies including the FCA and ASIC. Traders can use a bespoke platform, MT4 or MT5 to access a wide variety of assets including 3500+ stocks and ETFs, 46 forex pairs and over 20 cryptocurrencies. Fees are competitive, particularly for the ThinkZero account with spreads starting at zero.

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    Founded in 2009, Vantage offers trading on 1000+ CFD products to over 900,000 clients. You can trade Forex CFDs from 0.0 pips on the RAW account through TradingView, MT4 or MT5. Vantage is ASIC-regulated and client funds are segregated. Copy traders will also appreciate the range of social trading tools.

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    Trading 212 is a European-regulated CFD, stock and ETF broker that also offers ISA accounts. Traders can access markets through a proprietary trading platform and speculate on the movements of 1800+ tradeable instruments including forex, stocks, ETFs and commodities.

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    Pepperstone is a leading online broker with over 400,000 clients in more than 175 countries. The top-rated brokerage offers excellent market access, industry-leading platforms in MT4, MT5, TradingView and cTrader, plus low fees with no hidden charges. Pepperstone is also heavily regulated with a high trust score, holding licenses with reputable bodies, including the FCA, ASIC, DFSA, and CySEC.

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    FXTM is a top-rated forex and CFD broker. The company is secure and regulated by leading authorities, including the FCA and CySEC. Offering 1000+ markets and three account types, they cater to all levels of trader.

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    LegacyFX is a multi-asset broker offering an MT5 download & free signals.

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    PrimeXBT is a multi-asset platform offering highly leveraged trading in forex, indices, commodities and cryptocurrencies. The company launched in 2018 and now has over 1 million users from more than 150 countries. With no minimum deposit, copy trading features and low commissions, the broker has become popular among new and experienced traders.

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Fundamental Analysis

An analyst will compare stocks against other like-minded stocks, and also against the broader economy. He will use up-to-date data, speak to company management, and all this information will be used to form the basis of an investment recommendation: the buy, sell, or hold.

Fundamental analysis examines the financials of a company. Of most concern are numbers such as sales revenue, profit, cash flow, etc. All these numbers can be used in various formulas to produce a standard set of ratios, and then these ratios can be used to compare different companies against each other, as well as note relative current performance against historic performance.

Results and prospects can be measured by reference to profit margins, return on equity and return on investment ratios, as well as prospects for future earnings. Taken into consideration will be political climate, economic outlook, changes in laws and regulations, and also geographic influences (particularly when measuring the performance of multi-national companies).

Fundamental analysis can be conducted on a top down basis, where emphasis is placed upon the economy, then business sector, then finally the individual company, or a bottom up approach where the order of importance is reversed.

Those that adhere to the fundamental analytical approach understand that markets sometimes move by relatively large amounts on a daily basis, but believe that these moves are no more than background noise which should be largely ignored. Sentiment and fear drive the market on a day-to-day basis, but company fundamentals do not do so. Just because the market has fallen because of, let’s say a war between the two Koreas, and dragged down the share price of ABC does not mean the prospects for ABC have fallen off the edge of a cliff.

Fundamental investors tend to have a long term outlook, searching for companies they believe to be relatively undervalued and then investing in these. To make this stock and direction selections various fundamental analysis ratios are employed, including the following:

Earnings Per Share (EPS)

This is the net earnings made by the company divided by the number of shares. This ratio allows the earnings of companies to be easily and cleanly compared to each other. The higher this number, the more profit per dollar investor capital is being made.

Price to Earnings Ratio (P/E)

This is simply the current share price divided by the annual earnings per share. This will give a number that represents how many years of earnings at current levels will be required to recoup the value of one share. Easily calculated and understood, it is one of the most common ratios used to compare relative valuations of stocks against each other and the broader market.

Dividend Yield

The dividend yield is another easy to calculate ratio, and is expressed as a percentage. It is the amount of annual dividend expressed as a percentage of the share price (dividend/ share price x 100). This makes it easy for income investors to compare stocks against each other, and also to other income yielding investments such as bank accounts and bonds.

Projected Earnings Growth (PEG)

The PEG is a forward looking ratio, because it is based on anticipated earnings growth. It is calculated by dividing the P/E by the projected rate of growth in earnings.

For example, a stock with a P/E of 15 and a projected rate of earnings growth of 10% would have a PEG of 1.5 (15/10). This number can then be used to compare against other similar stocks to examine relative forward valuations.

Technical Analysis

This is almost a polar opposite approach to fundamental analysis (you can read more about technical analysis in our section here).  Those that put their store in technical analysis don’t care about a company. What they care about is the price movement of its shares. Historic price action is charted to build up a picture of the pattern of price movement, and this pattern is used to predict future price movements, often short term. These charts can be in the form of bars, candlesticks, or lines and various standard chart indicators will give buy and sell signals.

Technical analysis is much more about the sentiment of the market than the fundamentals of the market. Prices move on a daily, even minute by minute basis, and it is these moves that an investor using technical analysis will hope to profit from. Investment outlook is therefore much shorter term, and many day traders use technical analysis and charts to make trading decisions.

Technical analysts also use standard formulas to help them, but where fundamentalists use revenues, earnings, and share price to build ratios to compare one company to another, a technical analyst will use the stock price and rate of change to measure the volatility of a share price. Common ratios used by technical analysts, either for the number itself or as a way of building a chart, include:

Relative Strength Indicator (RSI)

The RSI is a technical indicator of price momentum. It compares the size of recent gains to the size of recent losses to establish oversold and overbought positions, and possible turning points in short term price trend. It is calculated using the exponential moving averages of the last 14 days closing gains and closing losses. The formula for its calculation is:

RSI = 100 – (100/ (1+RS))

where RS = 14 day ema of closing gains/ 14 day ema of closing losses.

The RSI will always fall between 0 and 100, a figure above 80 indicating an overbought position and the opportunity to profit by selling, and below 20 indicating an oversold position and the opportunity to profit by buying.

Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD)

The MACD is one of the possibly the most common price momentum indicator.  It uses a short exponential moving average (ema – the running average over a set period of days, typically 12 days) and subtracts a long ema (typically 26 days) to calculate the MACD. This line is plotted over a period of time on a graph. Then a shorter ema (usually 9 days) is plotted on the same graph as a signal line. The crossing of the MACD by the signal line indicates turning points in the rise and fall of the share price – when the signal moves above the MACD it is considered a buy signal, and when it moves below it is considered a sell. Most commonly a bar graph of volume traded will accompany the MACD to help confirm these trend reversals.

The Fibonacci Retracement

Leonardo Fibonacci formed this mathematical theory. Each number in a Fibonacci sequence is the sum of the two preceding numbers. The exciting bit is that the quotient of the adjacent numbers is about 1.618 (the inverse of which is 0.618). Not exciting, you say? Well consider this: everything in nature seems to be built around this proportion, and for this reason it is often called the ‘golden ratio’.

In the markets, this golden ratio is translated to three percentages: 38.2%, 50% and 61.8%. One of the uses of these ratios is what is known as the Fibonacci Retracement.

On a graph after a significant move up or down, five lines are drawn. The first is at the high, the second at the low. Between these lines, three further lines, at 61.8% of the difference, 50% of the difference, and 38.2% of the difference are drawn. These lines represent new areas of support and resistance as the stocks retraces its significant move.

What Stock Picking Method Should You Use?

For passive traders, those that want their investments managed by someone else, understanding these methods of analysis and stock valuation will help to understand why portfolio values move up and down. For those that want a more active involvement in the management of their portfolio, then the choice of how to value stocks will depend upon investment and trading philosophy.

You may wish to hold stocks for a long period of time, in which case fundamental analysis will be perfect, or enjoy the excitement of shorter term market swings, in which case technical analysis and a chartist approach might serve better. Some may combine the two, holding a long term position chosen for fundamental reasons and trading around that position with the noise identified by technical analysis.

Whichever method you choose, remember that neither gives the complete picture 100% of the time. Also remember that the calculation of ratios depends upon the input of data, and one poor input (a typing error on a keyboard for example) can make a huge difference to a formula’s result.