Financial journalist Hobson tears away the mystique and jargon that surrounds the stock market and takes readers step-by-step through the most basic concepts of investing.

SECTION A - SHARES 1. What are shares? 2. How shares are created 3. Whose company is it? 4. What's in it for me? 5. Is my investment safe? SECTION B - THE STOCK MARKET 6. The market place 7. London Stock Exchange 8. Full listings and AIM 9. How shares are traded 10. Stock market indices SECTION C - COMPANIES 11. Company focus 12. Profit and loss 13. Balance sheet 14. Potential nasties SECTION D - INVESTING 15. Starting out 16. Stockbrokers 17. Fundamental data 18. Charting 19. Tips 20. Jargon busting SECTION E - TAKEOVERS 21. Mergers and acquisitions 22. Before a bid 23. A bid is launched 24. Bid timetable 25. Bid battles 26. Management buyouts Appendix Useful websites Index

Rodney Hobson is an experienced financial journalist who has held senior editorial positions with publications in the UK and Asia. Among posts he has held are News Editor for the Business section of The Times, Business Editor of the Singapore Monitor, Deputy Business Editor of the Far Eastern Economic Review, Head of News at Citywire and Editor of Shares magazine. He has also contributed to the Daily Mail, the Independent and Business Franchise Magazine. He is registered as a Representative with the Financial Services Authority. Rodney is married with one daughter.