Introduction 1

Part 1: The Essentials of Investing in Shares 5

Chapter 1: Exploring the Basics 7

Chapter 2: Sizing Up Your Current Finances and Setting Goals 15

Chapter 3: Defining Common Approaches to Investing in Shares 31

Chapter 4: Assessing the Risks 41

Chapter 5: Getting to Know the Stock Markets 55

Part 2: Before You Start Buying 65

Chapter 6: Gathering Information 67

Chapter 7: Finding a Broker 85

Chapter 8: Investing for Growth 103

Chapter 9: Investing for Income 115

Chapter 10: Using Basic Accounting to Choose Winning Shares 129

Part 3: Picking Winners 145

Chapter 11: Decoding Company Documents 147

Chapter 12: Analysing Industries 159

Chapter 13: Being Prepared for a Changing World 169

Chapter 14: Getting Active and Alternative with Investment Funds 181

Part 4: Investment Strategies and Tactics 199

Chapter 15: Taking the Bull (or Bear) by the Horns 201

Chapter 16: Choosing a Strategy That's Just Right for You 213

Chapter 17: Using Your Broker and Trading Techniques 221

Chapter 18: Getting a Handle on DRIPs and PCA ASAP 237

Chapter 19: Looking at What the Insiders Do: Corporate Capers 245

Chapter 20: Considering Tax Benefits and Liabilities 257

Chapter 21: Creating a Smarter Portfolio with Lower-Cost Funds and ETFs 269

Chapter 22: Recognising the Relentless Rise of Technology 291

Part 5: The Part of Tens 305

Chapter 23: Ten Warning Signs of a Share's Decline 307

Chapter 24: Ten Signals of a Share Price Increase 315

Chapter 25: Ten Ways to Protect Yourself from Fraud 323

Chapter 26: Ten Challenges and Opportunities for Stock Market Investors 331

Part 6: Appendixes 339

Appendix A: Resources for Investors in Shares 341

Appendix B: Financial Ratios and Accounting Terms 351

Index 361