Trading

Authored by:
Thomas Drury
Thomas Drury

Thomas Drury

Co-Founder

Seasoned finance professional with 10+ years' experience. Chartered status holder. Proficient in CFDs, ISAs, and crypto investing. Passionate about helping others achieve financial goals.

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Reviewed by:
Dom Farnell
Dom Farnell

Dom Farnell

Co-Founder

Dom, a Co-Founder at TIC, is an avid investor and experienced blogger who specialises in financial markets and wealth management. He strives to help people make smart investment decisions through clear and engaging content.

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Risk Warning

Please bear in mind that trading involves the risk of capital loss. 51% to 84% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with the providers below. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Last Updated 28/04/2025

Unlock Your Trading Potential with Expert Resources and Insights

Introduction: Welcome to Trading at The Investors Centre

In 2025 the UK’s trading platform scene has something for everyone — whether you’re just dipping your toes into investing or you’ve been trading for years and want access to more advanced tools. I’ve spent a lot of time exploring the options out there, and in this guide, I’ll walk you through the ones that really stand out — the platforms that are easy to use, cost-effective, and packed with a wide range of assets. My goal? To help you find the one that fits your trading style and actually makes your life easier, not harder.

What is Trading?

Trading is the act of buying and selling financial instruments — such as stocks, currencies, commodities, and cryptocurrencies — with the goal of profiting from price movements. Unlike long-term investing, trading typically focuses on shorter timeframes, leveraging market fluctuations to generate returns.

There are several styles of trading, each suited to different goals and risk profiles:

  • Day Trading: Opening and closing trades within the same day to capitalize on short-term price movements.
  • Swing Trading: Holding positions over several days or weeks to benefit from broader market trends.
  • Position Trading: Long-term trades based on fundamental analysis and macroeconomic trends.
  • Scalping: Executing multiple quick trades to capture small price changes.

 

The core asset classes traders focus on include:

  • Stocks: Shares of publicly listed companies, traded on global stock exchanges.
  • Forex (Foreign Exchange): The world’s largest financial market, where currencies are traded in pairs.
  • Commodities: Physical goods like gold, oil, and agricultural products that are bought and sold.

 

Understanding these instruments and approaches is essential for anyone looking to succeed in the world of trading.

Types of Trading We Cover

Forex Trading

Forex trading involves the exchange of currencies in the global marketplace, where trillions of dollars are traded daily. Key concepts include understanding currency pairs (like EUR/USD), measuring movements in pips, and managing trade sizes through lots.
Forex is particularly attractive due to its high liquidity, 24-hour access, and leverage opportunities, making it a favorite among both beginner and experienced traders.

Stock Trading

Stock trading is the buying and selling of shares in public companies. It enables traders to capitalize on company growth, market trends, and dividend payouts.
Unlike value investing, which focuses on holding stocks long-term, trading seeks to profit from short- to medium-term price movements driven by earnings reports, news events, and market sentiment.

Commodity Trading

Commodity trading involves buying and selling physical assets such as gold, silver, crude oil, and agricultural goods like wheat and coffee.
Commodities are often used to diversify a trading portfolio and hedge against inflation and geopolitical risks. Successful commodity trading requires an understanding of supply and demand dynamics, seasonality, and macroeconomic influences.

Learn to Trade with The Investors Centre

Whether you’re taking your first steps or refining an advanced trading strategy, continuous education and mentorship are key to long-term success.

At The Investors Centre, we offer a wide range of learning opportunities, from foundational trading guides to expert-level market analysis. Our resources are designed to empower you with practical knowledge, reduce your learning curve, and help you avoid common trading pitfalls.

Join our community of traders, stay updated with the latest market trends, and start trading with greater skill and confidence today.

FAQs

Start by building a solid foundation through trading education. Practice using demo accounts, develop a risk management plan, and focus on one market before expanding to others.

There’s no single answer, but many brokers allow you to start with as little as £100–£500. However, trading with more capital gives you greater flexibility and better risk management options.

Forex markets can be highly volatile and often involve leverage, increasing both potential gains and risks. However, both forex and stock trading require careful strategy and risk management to be successful.

Trading typically involves short-term strategies to profit from market fluctuations, while investing focuses on building wealth over the long term by holding assets.

Yes! Many traders opt for swing trading or automated trading strategies that don’t require constant monitoring, making it possible to trade alongside a full-time career.

Trade Smarter, not Harder

51% of retail CFD accounts lose money when trading CFD’s with this provider.

Trading and investing involve risk. The value of your investments can go up or down, and you may lose all or part of your capital. These products may not be suitable for all investors. Please ensure you fully understand the risks involved.

  • Stocks, ETFs, crypto, more
  • Copy top investors easily
  • User & beginner friendly
  • 30M+ global users
  • Regulated, trusted platform