All prices delayed at least 15 min · Data: Alpha Vantage (Nasdaq-licensed) · Educational use only
Learn to invest in the stock
market with confidence
From your first share purchase to reading a balance sheet — understand how stock markets work, how to evaluate companies, and how to build a long-term portfolio.
Major indices
Delayed 15 minS&P 500
5,842.12
+0.54%NASDAQ
18,712.45
+0.71%DOW
41,205.88
-0.12%FTSE 100
8,291.34
-0.22%DAX
18,421.67
+0.39%Delayed 15 min · For education only
How to buy your first stock: a complete step-by-step guide
Opening a brokerage account, placing your first order, and understanding what you actually own when you buy a share — everything a first-time investor needs to know before clicking 'buy'.
Browse by topic
Top movers today
Full market →Latest articles
How to read a company's balance sheet in 10 minutes
Assets, liabilities, and equity — the three numbers that tell you whether a company is financially healthy before you invest a penny.
Index funds vs ETFs: what's actually the difference?
They're often used interchangeably, but there are real structural differences that affect cost, tax, and how you trade them.
Dividend investing 101: how to build a passive income portfolio
Dividend yield, payout ratio, and dividend growth — the key metrics for finding companies that reliably pay shareholders.
Moving averages explained: the 50-day and 200-day crossover strategy
One of the most widely watched technical signals on Wall Street — what the 'golden cross' and 'death cross' actually mean.
See how many shares you can buy and your potential return
Shares you can buy
9
Estimated value (5 yrs)
$2,705.35
For illustration only. Assumes a fixed annual return with no fees, dividends, or volatility. Not financial advice or a return guarantee.
All stock calculators →Stock market courses
All stock courses →Stock market basics: how to start investing
Understanding candlestick patterns
Technical analysis masterclass
Building a diversified investment portfolio
Major indices
15-min delayS&P 500
US Large Cap
5,842
▲ +0.54%NASDAQ
US Tech
18,712
▲ +0.71%DOW
US Industrial
41,205
▼ −0.12%FTSE 100
UK Large Cap
8,291
▼ −0.22%DAX
Germany 40
18,421
▲ +0.39%Delayed 15 min via Alpha Vantage. Educational use only.
All prices delayed at least 15 minutes per NYSE, NASDAQ & LSE licensing rules. For educational purposes only — do not use to place trades.
Stocks key terms
Market cap
Total value of a company's shares — share price × number of shares outstanding.
P/E ratio
Price-to-earnings ratio. Shows how much investors pay per £1 of company profit.
Dividend yield
Annual dividend payment as a percentage of the current share price.
All articles & guides
12 articles
How to buy your first share: a step-by-step guide
From choosing a broker to placing your first order — here's exactly what to do.
What is the stock market? A plain English guide
Stocks, shares, exchanges — all the basics explained simply.
How to read a stock chart: candlesticks explained
Candlestick charts are the language of price action. Here's how to read them.
RSI and MACD: momentum indicators for stock investors
Two of the most widely-used indicators — and how to combine them effectively.
How to read a company's income statement
Revenue, gross profit, EBITDA — a company's financials decoded.
P/E ratio explained: is a stock cheap or expensive?
The price-to-earnings ratio is one of the most watched valuation metrics in investing.
Index funds vs ETFs: what's the difference?
Both track indices passively — but they're structured differently. Here's the distinction.
The S&P 500 explained: what it is and why it matters
The S&P 500 is the world's most watched stock index. Here's what's actually inside it.
What are dividends and how do dividend stocks work?
Companies that share profits with shareholders — and how to build income from them.
Dividend yield vs dividend growth: which matters more?
A 5% yield today vs 10% annual dividend growth — which compounds faster?
How to build a diversified stock portfolio from scratch
Asset allocation, sector diversification, rebalancing — the full framework.
What is an IPO? Initial public offerings explained
When private companies go public — and whether you should invest at the IPO price.