The financial markets have changed considerably since "A Beginner's Guide to Short-Term Trading" was first published in January 2002. The dot.com implosion, a two-year bear market, wars in the Middle East, a burgeoning demand for commodities, and a softening real estate market have all contributed to a tumultuous stock market.The face and operating procedures of the markets have also changed. In 2001, decimalisation altered the time-honoured pricing of stocks in fractions, and gave way to quotations now delivered in one-cent increments.

In addition, exciting new trading products have entered the markets. These include the E-minis (mini-versions of stock index futures contracts), and a host of Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) that offer baskets of stocks (industry groups or country-specific) traded as a single instrument."A Beginner's Guide to Short-Term Trading, 2nd Edition" will include updates on all the current issues affecting the market.