Standard deviation can help you test the reliability of quoted performance figures and even judge where a share price might go next. In this short video I explain how and point out its main pitfalls as a number.

In this short video I introduce the stock market’s “fear gauge”, the Vix index. I summarise how it works, what it reveals and point out its main drawback.

Anyone buying shares, or seeking to build a portfolio, needs to understand volatility. In this short video I introduce Beta as one way of measuring it. I explain how it works, how it can help and point out its main pitfalls.

New fund investors need to grasp the concept of net asset value (NAV) and its relationship with the market value of a fund. In this short video I introduce NAV and highlight why it matters.

Funds are not all created equal and some carry more risk than others. In this short video I recap the advantages of funds before highlighting five key issues that an investor should investigate before buying.

Most investors know that shares go down as well as up – this is called price risk. In my latest video I introduce two other key risks that affect equity investors and offer some tips on how you can manage all three.

There are a number of different factors to consider when buying shares as Tim points out in this video. He explains the key ones before offering new investors some pointers when it comes to choosing a broker.

Balance sheets may be less exciting than profit and loss accounts but they contain vital information for investors, as Tim Bennett explains.

Debt and derivatives can both be used to change the profile of a fund’s returns. Tim Bennett explains how and points out the main pitfalls associated with both.

The differences between open and closed ended funds can confuse investors. Here Tim Bennett offers a short jargon-free guide to all the basics.