Michael Taylor made the move to trading the stock market with his own capital on a full time basis in December 2016. As well as ShareScope, Michael contributes to Investors Chronicle and other online publications. He has also written a free book on getting started in the UK stock market, along with a stock trading handbook – both of which are available to download from his website at www.shiftingshares.com
I believe that anyone can learn to trade if they are able to remain objective and are willing to put the hours in. I lost a lot of money early on by not having a proper strategy and following the crowd. If you want to make money then you need to generate your own ideas – I use SharePad to find and plan my trades, and ShareScope to run on my trading screens.
Making the leap to full-time trading means understanding the financial pressure that comes with it. Michael Taylor explains how his Financial Audit sheet can help traders work out the returns they need to cover costs and keep their capital growing. I was listening to the Alpha Mind podcast recently with Steven Goldstein and Mark Randall
AI is already reshaping the way investors research companies, and Michael Taylor believes those who learn to use it effectively can gain a meaningful edge. He looks at how AI can act as a force multiplier for analysing stocks, tracking data and speeding up the research process, particularly in the less efficient corners of the
Being fully invested can feel like the obvious way to maximise returns, but today cash and bonds can offer meaningful returns without the same volatility. Michael Taylor looks at why opportunity cost matters again, and how investors can think more carefully about risk, time horizons and keeping some powder dry. Back when the pandemic was
Doing nothing can be one of the hardest disciplines in trading, especially when a stock you missed suddenly takes off. Michael Taylor looks at why the urge to act can be so costly, and why learning to sit on your hands may be an edge in itself. GCM Resources went up over 400% in a
UK small caps can offer private investors an edge, with less institutional competition and greater scope for overlooked opportunities. Michael Taylor explains how disciplined stock selection, risk management and a consistent process can help tilt the odds in investors’ favour. The game is rigged. It always has been. But maybe not in the way you
Michael Taylor looks beyond charts and risk management to explore how sleep, stress and lifestyle can affect trading performance and decision-making. He shares practical ways investors can improve their wellbeing to help stay sharper in the markets. I was talking to one of the top UK YouTubers recently about an investment we both hold, and
Michael Taylor explains why learning to lose well is one of the most important skills a trader can develop. He looks at position sizing, stop losses and the dangers of averaging down, showing how keeping losses small can help traders stay in the market long enough for their winners to count. My first ever trade
Michael Taylor explains why one of the most valuable investing tools isn’t powered by AI or an app. He argues that pen and paper can improve focus, sharpen decision making and even help investors spot costly mistakes. The world is increasingly digital. We are connected by our phones, and this means we can be in
Updated: 19 June 2026 Michael Taylor examines why investors should pay close attention to the upcoming SpaceX IPO, even if they have no intention of buying the shares themselves. He explains how shifting market sentiment, AI spending and liquidity pressures could have wider implications across portfolios, from US tech giants to UK small caps. We’re
Michael Taylor follows up his US market bubble analysis by focusing on the practical steps investors can take to protect themselves if volatility strikes. From position sizing and cash management to trimming winners and avoiding emotional decisions, he explains how traders can stay prepared without trying to call the top. In my last article, we
Michael Taylor examines whether soaring US valuations are flashing warning signs of a market bubble, and what it could mean for UK investors. From the Buffett Indicator to AI-fuelled exuberance, he explores the risks, the bull case, and why concentration in the Magnificent Seven matters more than ever. I trade UK small-caps for a living.
Michael Taylor continues his bear market series by focusing on process over prediction, showing why waiting for confirmation beats trying to call the bottom. He also explores the mental discipline needed to endure downturns and stay positioned for the eventual recovery. This is the second article of a two-part series. If you’ve not read the