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CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 71% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 71% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Educational Articles

Knowledge Base

Reading time • 6 minute(s)
How to Invest in Oil in 2026
Crude oil remains one of the most important and volatile assets in global financial markets. In 2026, oil prices are being driven not just by supply and demand - but by geopolitics, electrification trends, and structural shifts in the global energy system. With the ongoing Iran-Israel-US conflict and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, combined with long-term changes highlighted in the latest International Energy Agency report, understanding oil has never been more critical.
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Reading time • 2 minute(s)
How to Transfer Your ISA to XTB (Step-by-Step Guide)
To transfer an ISA in the UK, follow these steps: 1. Open a new ISA with your chosen provider 2. Submit an ISA transfer request (do not withdraw funds) 3. Your new provider contacts your existing provider 4. The transfer is completed within 30 days
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Reading time • 4 minute(s)
Iran Ceasefire: Why Oil Prices Are Falling and Markets Are Rallying
On 7 April 2026, US President Donald Trump announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran, hours before a threatened strike deadline. The announcement sent immediate shockwaves through financial markets, triggering one of the sharpest single-day moves in years, with oil prices dropping sharply and global equities rallying. Here's what happened, how markets responded, and what traders are watching as the situation develops.
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Reading time • 2 minute(s)
Your New ISA Allowance Starts Now
If you missed the 5 April deadline or simply didn’t get around to using your ISA allowance there’s good news: you haven’t lost anything going forward. As of today, a brand-new tax year has begun, and with it comes a fresh £20,000 ISA allowance for 2026/27. This isn’t about what you didn’t do. It’s about what you can do now.
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Reading time • 3 minute(s)
When Does the ISA Allowance Reset in 2026?
If you’re investing or saving in the UK, understanding when the ISA allowance resets is essential. Timing your contributions correctly can mean the difference between maximising tax-free growth and losing valuable allowance forever.
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Reading time • 2 minute(s)
Best Cash ISA Comparison 2026
If you’re looking for the best place to grow your savings tax-free, here’s a clear comparison based on the latest offers. We’ve ranked them by overall value, flexibility, and real-world earning potential - with XTB taking the top spot.
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Reading time • 3 minute(s)
What Is a Flexible Cash ISA - And Why Does It Matter?
If you’ve been looking at Cash ISAs, you’ve probably seen the word ‘flexible’ come up especially when comparing different Cash ISA options. Whether an ISA is flexible or not can make a real difference to how useful it is especially if you might need access to your money during the year. Here’s what it actually means and why it’s worth checking before you open an account.
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Reading time • 4 minute(s)
ISA Deadline 2026: Use Your £20,000 Allowance Before 5 April
Every year, the ISA deadline tends to sneak up on us. We know it’s coming, yet every March, there’s a collective scramble to beat the midnight buzzer on 5 April. For the 2025/26 tax year, your £20,000 allowance is "use it or lose it." If you don’t hit "confirm" by the 5th, that tax-free ceiling resets to zero on the 6th. You can’t roll it over, and you can’t get it back. But this year isn't just another calendar reset. Missing the 5 April cut-off doesn't just mean losing your allowance; you may end up paying more tax on returns outside an ISA.
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Reading time • 2 minute(s)
Best Investment Platform in the UK
A reliable investment platform shouldn't be a nice-to-have. If you've searched 'investment platform not working' today, you're probably not the only one. If you've ever tried to check your portfolio during a busy market day and been met with a spinning wheel, you'll know the feeling. It's not just frustrating when markets are moving, being locked out of your own account actually costs you. Platform reliability rarely comes up in the glossy comparison guides. Everyone talks about fees, interest rates, and stock selection. But when something goes wrong and you can't get in, none of that matters.
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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 • 3 minute(s)
Best ISA Interest Rates in the UK: How XTB Compares
With interest rates changing and more people looking for tax-efficient ways to grow their money, Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) continue to play an important role in financial planning for UK savers and investors. XTB now offers both a Flexible Cash ISA and a Flexible Stocks & Shares ISA, giving clients the freedom to choose how they want to use their annual ISA allowance. Whether you prefer to keep your money in cash and earn tax-free interest, or invest directly in global financial markets, XTB provides the flexibility to build an ISA strategy that suits your financial goals. XTB is offering one of the best interest rates on both Cash ISA and Stocks and Shares ISA.
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Reading time • 4 minute(s)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Flexible Cash ISA
We’re pleased to let you know that XTB has launched a new Cash ISA - giving you a simple, tax-efficient way to make more of your savings, all within one trusted platform.
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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 • 3 minute(s)
Why Trump Wants Greenland: Geopolitics, Market Volatility, and What It Means for 2026
2026 has started with a bang. From fresh geopolitical tremors in Venezuela to Donald Trump once again jolting global capitals by reviving his push for Greenland, the year is barely weeks old and already testing investors’ nerves. Markets have lurched between risk-on optimism and sharp pullbacks, driven less by earnings or data and more by politics, power, and unpredictability. Volatility has surged as traders digest a world where territorial ambition, trade threats, and strategic rivalry are once again front and center, a reminder that in this new year, geopolitics may matter just as much as monetary policy.
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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.
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Reading time • 9 minute(s)
How to Build An Investment Portfolio in 2026
Starting a new year is one of the best times to take control of your financial future. If you’re a beginner, building an investment portfolio may feel overwhelming, markets fluctuate, jargon sounds complex, and advice can seem contradictory. The good news? You don’t need to be an expert to get started. With clear goals, a simple strategy, and consistency, you can build a solid portfolio that grows with you over time. This guide walks you step by step through the essentials of building your first portfolio for the new year.
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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.
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Reading time • 3 minute(s)
What Are Leveraged ETPs and How Do They Work?
Leveraged ETPs are designed to deliver a multiple of the daily performance of an underlying index or asset, commonly 2x or 3x. Their objective is strictly daily, meaning they aim to replicate the leveraged return for a single trading session, not over longer periods. These products are primarily intended for short-term trading, speculation, or tactical positioning, rather than long-term investment.
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Reading time • 2 minute(s)
What Are Exchange-Traded Products (ETPs)?
Exchange-Traded Products (ETPs) are investment instruments that trade on regulated stock exchanges in a similar manner to individual equities. Their core objective is to track, replicate, or provide exposure to the performance of an underlying asset, index, sector, commodity, currency, or investment strategy.
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Reading time • 5 minute(s)
How a Stocks & Shares ISA Can Help Young People Beat Inflation Over the Long Term
For many young people, saving money in a standard cash savings account seems safe and familiar but over time, traditional savings often lose ground to inflation. In contrast, a Stocks & Shares ISA (Individual Savings Account) offers a more powerful, long-term way to preserve and grow wealth. By combining tax advantages, long-term investing, and inflation-resistant assets, a Stocks & Shares ISA can help younger investors build real, lasting wealth especially if they begin early. In this article, we explore why a Stocks & Shares ISA is a strong tool against inflation and how a broker like XTB simplifies access to it.
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