Investing in the UK
Products, strategies, and industry insights for U.K. and foreign investors
Investing Fundamentals
Global Product Options
Key Terms
- Public Limited CompanyA public limited company (PLC) is a public company in the United Kingdom. PLC is the equivalent of a U.S. publicly traded company that carries the Inc. or corporation designation. All of the companies listed on the London Stock Exchange are PLCs, and any retail investor may buy stock in a PLC.
- LiborThe London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) is a benchmark interest rate at which major global banks lend to one another in the international interbank market for short-term loans. LIBOR serves as a globally accepted key benchmark interest rate that indicates borrowing costs between banks. The rate is calculated and published each day by the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE).
- Financial Conduct AuthorityThe Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is the independent financial regulator responsible for the functioning of the U.K.'s financial markets. The goal of the organization is to ensure honest and fair markets for individuals, businesses, and the economy as a whole. The Authority does this by protecting consumers, protecting the financial markets, and promoting competition. The FCA falls under the purview of the Treasury, which is responsible for the UK's financial system, and the Parliament.
- Financial Services AuthorityThe Financial Services Authority (FSA) regulated financial services in the United Kingdom between 2001 and 2013. Following the financial crisis of 2008, government officials decided to revise the regulatory structure of the financial markets in the U.K, and the regulatory authority was divided into the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) of the Bank of England in 2013.
- High Street BankA large retail bank that has many branch locations, such as those found in the main commercial sector of a town or city and offer everyday banking services such as deposit accounts and credit facilities to consumers and businesses. People generally refer to high street banks as such to differentiate them from other institutions such as investment banks.
- U.K. Premium BondsA type of lottery-based savings account that offer a chance to win tax-free prizes every month, instead of paying interest. You can buy them from the government’s National Savings and Investments (NS&I) agency, which is backed by H.M. Treasury and secures 100% of your savings.
- The City of London CorporationThe City of London Corporation, also known as the Corporation of London, is the governing body for the Square Mile, known as the City of London (or just "City"), the historic and financial district of London. It spans 1.1 square miles at the heart of Greater London, and is considered the world's oldest continuous municipal government.
- Fast Market RuleA rule in the U.K. that permits market makers to trade outside quoted ranges when an exchange determines that market movements are so sharp that quotes cannot be kept current. It's intended to maintain an orderly market during a time of chaos. Under the rule, market makers must turn off their computerized trading systems (called black boxes). They do not have to quote share prices based on the London Stock Exchange's screen prices while the fast market is in effect, but they are still required to make firm quotes.
- GBPGBP is the abbreviation for the British pound sterling, the official currency of the United Kingdom, the British Overseas Territories of South Georgia, the South Sandwich Islands, and British Antarctic Territory and the U.K. crown dependencies the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. The most common trading pairs involving the British pound are the euro (EUR/GBP) and the U.S. dollar (GBP/USD).
- Collective Defined Contribution (CDC) PlanA CDC)Plan, also known as a target benefit or defined ambition plan, is a retirement savings plan available in the U.K. where contributions are pooled together and invested to provide members with an income during retirement. Unlike a traditional defined contribution (DC) plan, a CDC plan spreads investment risk among all plan members.
The Financial System & Economy
What Is a Collective Defined Contribution (CDC) Plan?
City of London Corp.: Everything You Need to Know
London’s Financial Districts: Canary Wharf, Square Mile, and Lombard Street
U.K. Equity ETFs: What They Are and What You Need to Know
How Many Companies Does Tesco Own?
Brexit: The Winners and Losers Following the Deal
GEMM: Government Broker in the U.K.
International Commodities Clearing House (ICCH) Definition
Working Tax Credit (WTC) Definition
Drop-Dead Fee: What It Is, How It Works, Example
Endowment Loan: Meaning, History, Criticism
Inland Revenue: What It Is, How It Works
Lottery Bond: What it is and How it Works
Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA): Meaning, Types, FAQs
Who Is Rishi Sunak?
Lakshmi Mittal: Early Life, Accomplishments, Philanthropy
Gilt Fund: What it Means and how it Works
Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS): Meaning, Qualification
Personal Equity Plan (PEP): What It Is and How It Works
National Insurance Contribution (NIC) Overview
HM Revenue & Customs: Tax Authority of the United Kingdom
How Unilever Makes Money
Pay As You Earn (PAYE): Definition and Examples
Who Are Tesco's Main Competitors?
Top 3 ETFs That Short the FTSE 100
Building Society in Banking: Meaning and Examples
Gilt-Edged Securities: Definition, History, and Current Uses
What Is Sterling Overnight Interbank Average (SONIA) Rate?
What Are Some Examples of a Value-Added Tax (VAT)?
7 Companies Owned by JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Retail Price Index (RPI): What It Is and How It's Used
Lancaster University Management School (LUMS) Definition
Durham University Business School Definition
Fast Market Rule Definition
Saïd Business School (SBS) Definition
Manchester Business School (MBS) Definition
Brexodus: What It Is and Its Effects on the British Economy
Cambridge Judge Business School Definition
Additional Personal Allowance: What It is, How It Works
Association of British Insurers (ABI): What It is, How It Works
Gazunder: What It is, How it Works, FAQs
Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) Definition
British Bankers Association (BBA): Meaning, Responsibilities
London Interbank Bid Rate (Libid): What It Is, How It Works
How Wealthy Is the British Royal Family?
Confederation Of British Industry (Cbi): What It Is, How It Works
Britcoin: The Digital Pound
High Street Bank: What it is, How it Works
Bursary Award: What it Means, How it Works
Big Bang: Meaning, History, Consequences
Footsie (FTSE): What it Means and How it Works
CFD vs. Spread Betting: What's the Difference?
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA): The UK's Financial Regulator
Comparing Master's Degrees in the U.S. vs. the U.K.
Bed and Breakfast Deal: Definition, How It Works, and Example
The Key Players in Brexit
The Best Times to Trade the British Pound (GBP)
Economic Reports That Affect the British Pound
How to Start a Hedge Fund in the U.K.
Financial Services Authority (FSA): What It Was, What WordStrd It
GBP/USD (British Pound/U.S. Dollar): Definition and Calculation
How London Became the World’s Financial Hub
The Top 5 Companies Owned by British Petroleum
How to Retire in the U.K. as an American
Why the U.K. Doesn't Use the Euro