Demo explainer: How to read a daily share-market report

This is a sample explainer for the newsroom. It does not report an actual trading session, price, index level or turnover. Any current market figure must be checked against its original source and timestamp before publication.

A share-market story needs more than a sentence saying the index rose or fell. Readers should be able to see which session is being described, the comparison with the previous session and whether a few sectors or companies drove the move.

Put a source beside every number

Turnover value, number of trades and number of traded companies measure different things. One may change sharply while another barely moves. A useful report states the source, publication time and comparison period for each figure.

A large move in one company does not automatically describe the wider market. Check that company’s filing, the volume traded and what happened in its sector. Rumour is not a verified explanation for a price change.

Read the company disclosure

When covering a dividend, financial result or board decision, read the original filing. Include the announcement date, any conditions and a link to the document. A proposal and an implemented decision need different headlines.

Lists of gainers and losers can help readers scan a session, but a list alone is not analysis. If the reason for a move is unconfirmed, say so plainly and return to the story when reliable evidence becomes available.

This example demonstrates the evidence a market report should carry. Publish actual trading details only after checking official market releases and company disclosures.