When trading, DMA stands for direct market access. It’s a way of placing trades that offers more flexibility and transparency than traditional dealing (which is usually referred to as OTC, or over-the-counter). It’s suitable for advanced traders.

Dark pools are networks – usually private exchanges or forums – that allow institutional investors to buy or sell large amounts of stock without the details of the trade being released to the wider market.

A day order is a type of order, or instruction from a trader to their broker, to buy or sell a certain asset.

Blue-chip stocks are the shares of companies that are reputable, financially stable and long-established within their sector. Over time, the companies that are considered blue-chip tend to change, so the exact definition of what is required for blue-chip status can be vague. However, a company that is considered blue-chip will tend to be at or near the very top of its sector, feature on a recognized index, and have a well-known brand.