Contents -- How this book can help -- Acknowledgements -- 01 What and why are shares? -- Quoted shares -- Returns -- Stock markets -- 02 What are bonds and gilts? -- Bonds -- Preference shares -- Convertibles -- Gilts -- 03 The complicated world of derivatives -- Pooled investments -- Other derivatives -- 04 Foreign shares -- 05 How to pick a share -- Strategy -- The economy -- Picking shares -- 06 Tricks of the professionals -- Fundamental analysis -- Technical analysis -- 07 Where to find advice and information -- Advice -- Information -- Indices -- Online -- Company accounts -- Using the accounts -- Other information from companies -- Other sources -- Complaints -- 08 What does it take to deal in shares? -- Investment clubs -- Costs -- 09 How to trade in shares -- How to buy and sell shares -- Using intermediaries -- Trading -- Stock markets -- Other markets -- 10 When to deal in shares -- Charts -- Technical tools -- Sentiment indicators -- Other indicators -- Selling -- 11 Consequences of being a shareholder -- Information -- Annual general meeting -- Extraordinary general meeting -- Consultation -- Dividends -- Scrip issues -- Rights issues -- Nominee accounts -- Regulated markets -- Codes of conduct -- Takeovers -- Insolvency -- 12 Tax -- Dividends -- Capital profits -- Employee share schemes -- Tax incentives to risk -- ISAs -- Tax rates -- Index -- Glossary.