James Barra

James Barra

James is an experienced investment writer with a background in financial services. He was formerly a management consultant in the banking and capital markets sector where he worked with some of the UK and Europe’s largest banks.

James aims to help everyday investors find reliable, affordable platforms with trading conditions that match with user’s needs. He takes an analytical approach to evaluating online brokers, having reviewed over 200 trading platforms and investment apps, recorded more than 50,000 data points on brokerages, and placed hundreds of test trades over nearly 10 years.

James contributes to a number of websites in the investing niche and has been quoted in respected media outlets like Business Insider.

He has a degree in Law and a certificate in Business Accounting from the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).

You can reach James Barra on james.barra@daytrading.com.

Latest articles written by James

  1. Best Day Trading Software
    Article (Feb 19, 2026)
    Top day trading software [year] comparison with tutorials and reviews. We list the best free softwares for day trading with pros and cons.
  2. Commodity Forwards
    Article (Feb 19, 2026)
    Commodity Forwards - Defined And Explained For Traders. What is a commodity forward? How can they be traded, and on which assets?
  3. Best CFD Trading Platforms and Brokers in Singapore 2026
    Article (Feb 18, 2026)
    Discover the best CFD trading platforms for investors in Singapore. We evaluate, rate and compare the top CFD brokers in Singapore.
  4. Fibonacci Forex Trading
    Article (Feb 18, 2026)
    Fibonacci forex trading guide. Can you successfully trade forex based on Fibonacci numbers? Learn more about it here.
  5. 24-Hour Trading
    Article (Feb 17, 2026)
    24-hour trading is available on popular markets, including cryptos & forex. Our beginner-friendly tutorial explores 24h trading.

Latest articles edited by James

  1. Vulture Fund
    Blog Post (Feb 20, 2026)
    We look at how a vulture fund makes money, their role in sovereign debt markets, and how these types of operate and their goals.
  2. Mezzanine Debt
    Blog Post (Feb 20, 2026)
    We look at mezzanine debt, its pros and cons, and its use in private equity, M&A, and real estate. Comparisons with other forms of financing.
  3. Macaulay Duration vs. Modified Duration vs. Effective Duration
    Blog Post (Feb 20, 2026)
    We look at Macaulay Duration, Modified Duration, Effective Duration, their interpretations, how they compare, and when to use each.
  4. Investing in Private Assets - 5 Requirements
    Blog Post (Feb 20, 2026)
    Private assets can diversify portfolios and achieve higher returns, but comes with additional risks. Learn more here.
  5. Passive vs. Active Management (Strategic vs. Tactical Allocation)
    Blog Post (Feb 20, 2026)
    Explore passive vs. active management, tactical allocation challenges, and the importance of diversification & rebalancing.

James Barra on social media