So just how does the investment industry really work? Now more than ever, people are being affected by the fluctuations in the global economy and by financial uncertainty - with major impacts on their savings, portfolios and pensions. It takes not just savvy but real information to maintain financial security and safeguard one's future. Consequently, it is now more important than ever to understand how the markets work and what choices are available. Fully updated for this sixth edition, How the Stock Market Works tells investors what is being traded and how, who does what with whom, and how to evaluate a particular share or bond in light of rival claims from critics and admirers. From the practical consequences of being a shareholder to a basic coverage of the taxation regime, this book provides a wealth of information on individual product types as well as the key players themselves. It may not take a genius to make a fortune, but anyone considering investing in the stock market will need care, common sense, lots of luck - and the expert advice of How the Stock Market Works.