Educational Articles

Knowledge Base

Reading time • 6 minute(s)

Oil Price Forecast 2026-2027: What the Data and Analysts Actually Show

This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Forecasts are third-party estimates, are not a reliable indicator of future results, and can change quickly. Figures are as of late October 2026. Capital at risk.

Reading time • 4 minute(s)

US Midterms 2026: 5 Markets Investors Should Watch

This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice or a recommendation. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Capital at risk. Which Markets Could Move Around the US Midterms? The five markets most closely watched around the 3 November midterms are US Treasury yields, the US dollar, US stocks, gold and energy. What matters is not who wins but what the result implies for taxes, government borrowing, regulation and interest rates. Treasury yields tend to react first, then the dollar and gold. For a full introduction, read our guide to what the midterms are and why markets care.

Reading time • 4 minute(s)

How to Build Good Money Habits That Actually Stick

Why Most Money Habits Fail Most attempts to improve financial habits fail not because of lack of intention but because of system design. Relying on willpower to save, invest, or avoid overspending is inherently fragile — willpower is a finite resource that depletes under stress, decision fatigue, and the friction of daily life. The most effective money habits are not the ones that require the most discipline — they are the ones that require the least. The goal is to make good financial behaviour the path of least resistance.

Reading time • 6 minute(s)

What Are the US Midterm Elections and Why Do Markets Care?

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Capital at risk. What Are the US Midterm Elections? The US midterm elections are nationwide elections that take place halfway through a US president’s four-year term — hence “midterm.” The 2026 US midterm elections are scheduled for Tuesday 3 November 2026, and could reshape expectations around government spending, taxation, regulation and industrial policy for the remainder of President Trump’s term. Midterm elections occur at the midpoint of a presidential term and usually result in the president’s party losing ground in Congress. Over the past 23 midterm elections, the president’s party has lost an average of 27 seats in the House of Representatives and three in the Senate. The elections are often viewed as a public report card on the sitting administration — a chance for voters to signal approval or disapproval of the president’s performance without removing them from office.

Reading time • 3 minute(s)

Why Talking About Money Could Change Your Financial Future

Why Don’t We Talk About Money? Money is one of the last great taboos in British culture. We will discuss our health, our relationships, even our politics before we will reveal what we earn, how much we owe, or whether we are worried about our finances. Yet research consistently shows that people who talk openly about money with partners, family, friends, and colleagues make better financial decisions, feel less stressed, and build more wealth over time. Talk Money Week — the annual campaign by the Money and Pensions Service running 2–6 November exists precisely to break this taboo. This year’s theme, “It All Counts,” reflects a simple but powerful truth: every conversation about money matters, however small.

Reading time • 8 minute(s)

How to Start Investing With Any Budget: A UK Guide

Talk Money Week 2–6 November 2026 This year’s theme is “It All Counts” — and it couldn’t be more relevant to investing. Every pound you invest, however small, counts toward your financial future. This guide shows you how to get started whatever your budget.

Reading time • 6 minute(s)

How Much Does It Cost to Trade Options in the UK?

What Does It Cost to Trade Options in the UK? The main cost of buying an option is the premium, the upfront price you pay for the right to buy or sell the underlying asset at the strike price. Beyond the premium, options traders also pay a bid-ask spread on every trade, and may encounter exercise fees, assignment fees, and overnight financing costs depending on the product structure and broker. Understanding the full cost picture before trading is essential, costs that seem small on individual trades can significantly erode returns over time.

Reading time • 6 minute(s)

Federal Reserve Interest Rate Forecast 2026-2027: Fed Expectations

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Interest rate forecasts are estimates based on available data and may change. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Capital at risk.

Reading time • 9 minute(s)

What Is Commodity Trading? How It Works and How to Start

Commodity trading is the buying and selling of standardised raw materials through financial derivatives or exchange-traded instruments without taking physical delivery of the underlying assets. The global commodities market sees trillions of dollars in daily trading volume, providing essential liquidity for producers hedging physical output. Investors use these markets to navigate macroeconomic shifts, combat inflation, and capitalise on geopolitical supply constraints. This guide breaks down the essential asset classes, market mechanisms, and risk management tools required to start navigating global resource markets effectively. Key Takeaways Commodity trading involves exchanging contract rights to raw materials rather than handling the physical goods. The market divides assets into hard commodities like gold and crude oil, and soft commodities like agricultural crops and livestock. Traders utilise tools like contracts for difference (CFDs) and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to hedge against inflation and diversify traditional equity portfolios. The global commodities have an estimated nominal value of almost $135.5 trillion according to the Bank of International Settlements, and the United States is the largest market, capturing accounting for $62.75 trillion

Reading time • 7 minute(s)

What Is the Vanguard FTSE Global All-Cap ETF (VALL)? A Beginner's Guide

Investing in the stock market doesn't necessarily mean choosing individual companies. What if you could gain exposure to thousands of businesses across the world through a single investment? That's the idea behind exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and the Vanguard FTSE Global All-Cap UCITS ETF (VALL) is one example. Designed to track the performance of the global stock market, VALL provides exposure to thousands of companies across developed and emerging markets, including some of the world's most recognisable businesses. But how exactly does VALL work? What companies does it invest in, how much does it cost, and what should investors consider before buying? In this guide, we'll explain everything you need to know about the Vanguard FTSE Global All-Cap ETF and how eligible new clients can receive 5 Vanguard ETF Shares with XTB.

Reading time • 6 minute(s)

Is Oracle a Good Buy Right Now?

This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Capital at risk.

Reading time • 4 minute(s)

How to Trade the Budget

The UK’s budget will be delivered on Wednesday 28th October, it will be announced by the new Chancellor John Healey, and comes nearly a month before Rachel Reeves delivered her final budget in 2025.

Reading time • 9 minute(s)

Trading : What is it ?

How to explain what trading is and describe this risky and exacting process? Take a look and know what’s important.

Reading time • 5 minute(s)

Anthropic IPO — What UK Investors Should Expect

Anthropic, the San Francisco AI company behind Claude, is set for a mid-November 2026 IPO targeting a valuation of up to $2 trillion — potentially the largest initial public offering in history. The company will begin marketing its offering the week of November 9, with trading expected to commence before Thanksgiving. Here is what UK investors need to know about the valuation, timeline, financial performance, and critical risks.

Reading time • 6 minute(s)

Options vs ETFs Explained

What Is the Difference Between Options and ETFs? Options and ETFs both give you exposure to financial markets but they work in completely different ways. An ETF (exchange-traded fund) is a straightforward investment that holds a basket of assets and trades on a stock exchange — when you buy an ETF you own a proportional share of everything it holds. An option is a financial contract that gives you the right — but not the obligation — to buy or sell an underlying asset at a fixed price before a set expiry date. The key difference is that ETFs are designed for long-term investing with no expiry and no complexity around pricing, while options are time-limited contracts with more sophisticated pricing dynamics suited to experienced traders.

Reading time • 6 minute(s)

UK Mortgage Rates Forecast 2026-2027: When Could Rates Fall?

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or mortgage advice. Always consult a qualified mortgage adviser for guidance specific to your circumstances.

Reading time • 9 minute(s)

Gold as an Investment: Is It Still Worth It in 2026?

Gold has long been considered one of the most reliable stores of value - a hedge against inflation, currency devaluation, and economic uncertainty. For many investors, it is not about getting rich quickly, but about protecting what they have already built. But the full picture is more complicated than that. Gold can be highly volatile in the short term, generates no income, and has historically underperformed equities over long bull markets. Whether it belongs in your portfolio depends on factors that no single headline can address. By the end of this article, you will have a clearer framework for making that decision yourself. The key information to consider when answering the question "is gold a good investment in 2026" includes:

Reading time • 3 minute(s)

Trading 24/5: how to trade US stocks outside regular market hours

What is Trading 24/5? Trading 24/5 lets XTB clients trade selected US stocks outside regular market hours, from early Monday to late Friday. Instead of waiting for the US market to open at 14:30 UK time, you can react to news, earnings and global events as they happen. Trading 24/5 applies to selected US-listed stocks. It is not switched on automatically: you choose to enable it in the XTB app and accept the terms before you can trade outside regular hours. This guide explains how US trading hours work, what you can trade with Trading 24/5, the risks to consider, and how to switch it on.

Reading time • 7 minute(s)

How to Build an ETF Portfolio from Scratch (UK Guide)

Building an ETF portfolio from scratch might sound complicated, but it's one of the most accessible ways for UK investors to start growing their money. Whether you're saving for a house deposit, retirement, or simply making your cash work harder, a well-structured ETF portfolio gives you broad market exposure with low costs and minimal ongoing effort. This guide walks you through every step from understanding what ETFs are, to choosing the right funds, to automating your investments so your portfolio runs largely on autopilot. Your capital is at risk. The value of your investments may go up or down.

Reading time • 7 minute(s)

The Q4 outlook: Wars, oil and earnings season to dominate the end of the year

The Macro backdrop Where will the oil price go next? How the hawkish Fed could reshape markets UK: Where interest rates could go next The impact of higher sovereign yields The equity market view The commodities outlook Earnings deep dive: hyperscaler capex concerns and a high bar for Q3

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