David Stevenson is a columnist for the Financial Times where he writes the 'Adventurous Investor' section. He has also written three books in the Financial Times Series and is a columnist for Investors Chronicle. Paul Mladjenovic is a certified financial planner and investment consultant with many years' experience of teaching and writing about share investment.

Introduction 1

Part I: The Essentials of Investing in Shares 9

Chapter 1: Exploring the Basics 11

Chapter 2: Sizing Up Your Current Finances and Setting Goals
17

Chapter 3: Defi ning Common Approaches to Investing in Shares
33

Chapter 4: Assessing the Risks 43

Chapter 5: Getting to Know the Stock Markets 57

Part II: Before You Start Buying 65

Chapter 6: Gathering Information 67

Chapter 7: Finding a Stockbroker 87

Chapter 8: Investing for Growth 99

Chapter 9: Investing for Income 111

Chapter 10: Using Basic Accounting to Choose Winning Shares
123

Part III: Picking Winners 139

Chapter 11: Decoding Company Documents 141

Chapter 12: Analysing Industries 153

Chapter 13: Emerging Sector Opportunities 163

Chapter 14: Pounds, Prices and Politics 175

Part IV: Investment Strategies and Tactics 187

Chapter 15: Taking the Bull (Or Bear) by the Horns 189

Chapter 16: Choosing a Strategy That's Just Right for You
201

Chapter 17: Using Your Broker and Trading Techniques 209

Chapter 18: Getting a Handle on DPPs, DRIPs and PCA . . . ASAP
225

Chapter 19: Looking at What the Insiders Do: Corporate Capers
235

Chapter 20: Tax Benefi ts and Liabilities 247

Chapter 21: Creating a Smarter Portfolio with Lower-Cost Funds
257

Part V: The Part of Tens 277

Chapter 22: Ten Warning Signs of a Share's Decline 279

Chapter 23: Ten Signals of a Share Price Increase 287

Chapter 24: Ten Ways to Protect Yourself from Fraud 293

Chapter 25: Ten Challenges and Opportunities for Stock Market
Investors 301

Part VI: Appendixes 307

Appendix A: Resources for Investors in Shares 309

Appendix B: Financial Ratios and Accounting Terms 319

Index 329