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Definition of Receivables

Receivables

"Receivables" or "accounts receivables" refer to a company's accounting entry reflecting money owed from customers for goods or services provided. Contrast "receivables" with "accounts payable" --the latter reflects short term obligations owed to suppliers or service suppliers. Accounts receivables are reflected as assets on a company's financial records.

 

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10-Q
"Form 10-Q" is the form required by the SEC to be filed by public companies on a quarterly basis,... more
 
1040 Form
A "1040 form" is the standard IRS tax return form for... more
 
1099 statement
A "1099" is a statement sent to the IRS and taxpayers by the payers of dividends and... more
 
401(k)
"401(k)" refers to Section 401(k) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, which authorizes a deferred... more
 
401(k)Plan
"401(k) Plan" refers to Section 401(k) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, which authorizes a... more
 
403(b)Plan
A "403(b) plan" is a plan that is designed as a retirement savings plan, used by tax-exempt... more
 
Abusive Tax Shelter
"Abusive tax shelter" generally refers to a limited partnership or other vehicle that is wrongfully... more
 
Accelerated Cost Recovery System
"Accelerated cost recovery system" is the schedule of depreciation rates allowed for tax... more
 
Acceleration Clause
An "acceleration clause" is a contractual provision stating that the unpaid balance becomes due and... more
 
Account Executive
"Account executive" generally refers to a stock brokerage firm employee who handles securities... more
 
Accountant
An "accountant" is an individual or firm that generally prepares, audits, and/or inspects the... more
 
Accounting Method
"Accounting method" is the method by which income and expenses are arrived at for purposes of... more
 
Accounting Period
"Accounting period" is the period reflected by a company's set of financial statements. An... more
 
Accounts Payable
"Accounts payable" is a company's accounting entry reflecting short term obligations owed to... more
 
Accounts Receivable
"Accounts receivable" is a company's accounting entry reflecting money owed from customers for... more
 
Accounts Receivable Financing
"Accounts receivable financing" is a short-term financing method in which accounts receivable are... more
 
Accredited Investor
"Accredited investor" is a term defined under SEC Regulation D to refer to investors who are deemed... more
 
Accretion
In reference to discount bonds, "accretion" is a straight-line accumulation of capital gains on a... more
 
Accrual Accounting Method
"Accrual accounting" is an accounting method that tries to match the recognition of revenues earned... more
 
Accrual Basis
"Accrual basis" refers to an accounting method in which expenses and income are accounted for as... more
 
Accrued Interest
"Accrued interest" is interest on a loan obligation that has been earned but not... more
 
Accrued Market Discount
"Accrued market discount" is the gain in the value of a discount bond expected from holding it as... more
 
Accumulated Earnings Tax
An "accumulated earnings tax" is a tax imposed by the federal government on companies with retained... more
 
ACH
"ACH" stands for Automated Clearing House and is the national network that allows for transferring... more
 
Acquiree
"Acquiree" refers to a target company being acquired. Also see "Merger" , "M&A Transaction" and... more
 
Acquirer
A firm or company that is acquiring a company. . Also see "Merger", "M&A Transaction" and... more
 
Acquisition
An "acquisition" is when one firm or a company buys another company. This is often referred to as a... more
 
Acquisition Agreement
An "Acquisition Agreement" is a contract where one party is buying the assets or stock of another... more
 
Acquisition Cost
"Acquisition cost" is the expense undertaken to acquire equipment, real property or other... more
 
ACRS
"ACRS" stands for Accelerated Cost Recovery System which is the schedule of depreciation rates... more
 
Active Income
"Active income" is income from an active business as contrasted with passive investment income... more
 
Active Investing
"Active investing" refers to a portfolio securities management strategy in which the manager... more
 
Actuarial Risk
"Actuarial risk" is the risk that the assumptions employed by an actuary to calculate the cost or... more
 
Actuary
An "actuary" is a professional in pension and life insurance matters, experienced in math,... more
 
Ad Valorem Tax
An "ad valorem tax" is a tax based on the value (or assessed value) of... more
 
Adjustable-Rate Mortgage
An "adjustable-rate mortgage" is a mortgage loan where the interest rate is periodically adjusted... more
 
Adjustable-Rate Preferred Stock
"Adjustable-rate preferred stock" is a preferred stock whose dividend changes according to changes... more
 
Adjusted Gross Income
"Adjusted gross income" is a tax term used to determine how much income is taxable. Adjusted gross... more
 
Adoption Credit
The "adoption credit" is a tax credit for qualified adoption expenses incurred for a... more
 
ADR
"American depositary receipt" is a certificate issued by a United States depository bank... more
 
ADS
"American depositary shares" represent foreign shares held in the United States and registered in... more
 
Advance Directive
An "advance directive" is a form of legal document expressing a person's wishes about medical... more
 
Advance Refunding
An "advance refunding" is a financing structure under which new municipal or government bonds are... more
 
Affidavit of Loss
"Affidavit of loss" is a sworn statement describing the particulars and circumstances of the loss... more
 
Affidavit of Lost Stock Certificate
The "Affidavit of Lost Stock Certificate" is a legal form used by a stockholder to represent under... more
 
Affiliate Agreement
An "Affiliate Agreement" is a legal contract between a Web site operator and a third party that... more
 
Affiliated Corporation
"Affiliated corporation" is a corporation that is usually connected through common ownership or... more
 
After-Hours Trading
"After hours trading" refers to securities trading by investors that takes place after regular... more
 
Agency Bond
An "agency bond" is a debt security issued by a Federal government-sponsored enterprise and... more
 
Agent
An "agent" is person or entity who is formally authorized to act on another's behalf. The... more
 
AGI
"Adjusted gross income" is a tax term used to determine how much income is taxable. Adjusted gross... more
 
Agreement among Underwriters
"Agreement among underwriters" is a contract among participating members of a syndicate that... more
 
Agreement for Professional Services
An "Agreement for Professional Services" is a contract between two or more parties where the one... more
 
Agreement of Sale
An "Agreement of Sale" is a contract between seller and buyer in which they reach a meeting of... more
 
Ahead of Itself
"Ahead of itself" generally refers to stocks that are overbought on a fundamental... more
 
Alan Greenspan
Alan Greenspan is the former Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, over... more
 
Algorithmic Trading
"Algorithmic trading" refers to securities trading in which buy or sell orders are determined by a... more
 
Alimony
"Alimony" refers to temporary or permanent financial support paid by one spouse to another,... more
 
Alternative Minimum Tax
"Alternative minimum tax" or "AMT" is a federal tax designed to prevent wealthy taxpayers from... more
 
Amended Return
"Amended return" is a tax return filed in order to make modifications or corrections to a tax... more
 
American Depositary Receipt
"American depositary receipt" is a certificate issued by a United States depository bank... more
 
American Depositary Share
"American depositary shares" represent foreign shares held in the United States and registered in... more
 
American Option
An "American option" refers to a stock option that can be exercised before and up to its expiration... more
 
American Stock Exchange
The "American Stock Exchange" or "AMEX" is a U.S. stock exchange based in New... more
 
AMEX
The "AMEX" or "American Stock Exchange" is a U.S. stock exchange based in New... more
 
Amortization
"Amortization" is the repayment of a bond or loan by regular principal... more
 
AMT
The "AMT" or "Alternative Minimum Tax" is a federal tax designed to prevent wealthy taxpayers from... more
 
Analyst
An "analyst" typically refers to a professional employed by a securities brokerage firm or mutual... more
 
Angel Investor
A person who provides funds for small start-up companies or... more
 
Annual Credit Report
The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each of the nationwide consumer reporting... more
 
Annual Meeting
The "annual meeting" is the meeting of the stockholders of a company held once a year. At the... more
 
Annual Percentage Rate
"Annual percentage rate" is the interest charged on a debt, expressed as a yearly rate. For... more
 
Annual Report
An "annual report" is a yearly report of a company's financial condition and operations, issued... more
 
Annuity
"Annuity" is a series of fixed (or sometimes variable) payments paid at regular intervals (such as... more
 
Anti-Dilution Provision
An "anti-dilution provision" is a provision in an stock investment contract or company charter... more
 
Appraisal
"Appraisal" is a valuation of property (such as of real estate or of a business) based on an... more
 
Appraisal Fee
An "appraisal fee" is the fee charged by an appraiser to deliver a professional opinion as to the... more
 
Appraisal Rights
"Appraisal rights" represent the right under state corporation law of stockholders in a merger to... more
 
Appraised Value
"Appraised value" is a valuation of property (such as of real estate or of a business) based on an... more
 
Appraiser
"Appraiser" is an individual or organization who estimates the fair market value of property (such... more
 
APR
The "APR" or "annual percentage rate" is the interest charged on a debt, expressed as a yearly... more
 
Arbitrage
"Arbitrage" is the buying and selling of a security at two different prices in two different... more
 
Arbitrageur
An "arbitrageur" is a person who engages in arbitrage, purchase or selling securities in multiple... more
 
Arbitration Agreement
An "Arbitration Agreement" is an agreement between two or more parties to resolve a dispute through... more
 
ARM
An "ARM" or "adjustable-rate mortgage" is a mortgage loan where the interest rate is periodically... more
 
ARPS
"ARPS" or "Adjustable-rate preferred stock" is a publicly traded security that may be... more
 
Articles of Incorporation
The "Articles of Incorporation" is the document filed with a state government that officially... more
 
Assessed Value
"Assessed value" is the dollar value assigned to property by a municipality for the purpose of... more
 
Assessor
"Assessor" is the local or city government official who determines the fair market value of... more
 
Asset
An "asset" is any property that has... more
 
Asset Allocation
The term "asset allocation" refers to the process of dividing investments among different kinds of... more
 
Asset Class
"Asset class" is a specific category of assets or investments, such as domestic stocks, bonds, real... more
 
Asset-backed Security
"Asset-backed security" is a security that is collateralized by loans, leases, receivable, or... more
 
Asset-based Financing
"Asset-based financing" refers to a security in which lenders and equity investors look principally... more
 
Assets
"Assets" typically refers to a company's resources having economic value, such as cash,... more
 
Assignable Contract
An "assignable contract" is a contract that permits a contract party to convey his or her rights in... more
 
Assignment
The term "assignment" refers to the method of transferring a right or contract from one person to... more
 
Assignment of Lease
An "Assignment of Lease" is a transfer by the tenant under a lease in its interest in the lease to... more
 
Assumable Mortgage
An "assumable mortgage" is a mortgage that can be transferred to the buyer of a real estate... more
 
At Par
"At par" means a price equal to nominal or face value of a security. Sometimes, "at par" refers to... more
 
At Risk Rules
The term "at risk rules" refers generally to the rules under the Internal Revenue Code that the... more
 
At Will Employment
"At Will Employment" is an employment relationship where either the employer or the employee can... more
 
At-The-Close Order
The term "at-the-close-order" refers to a securities order to execute a buy or sell within the last... more
 
At-The-Opening-Order
An "at-the-opening-order" is an order to buy or sell securities at the opening price on a trading... more
 
ATM
"ATM" stands for "automated teller machine" which is a computer controlled terminal which allows... more
 
Attorney-in-Fact
An "attorney-in-fact" is an authorization to act on someone else's behalf in a legal or... more
 
Attornment
"Attornment" typically refers to an act or agreement by a tenant in accepting a replacement... more
 
Audit
An "audit" is an examination of a company's financial and accounting books and records by an... more
 
Auditors Report
An "auditors report" is a report of an outside accounting firm about the accuracy of the... more
 
Authorized Stock
"Authorized stock" is the maximum number of shares authorized for issuance by a company's... more
 
Automated Clearing House
"Automated Clearing House" is the national network that allows for transferring funds... more
 
Automated Teller Machine
An "automated teller machine" is a computer controlled terminal which allows customers to make... more
 
Automatic Extension
An "automatic extension" refers to an extension automatically granted to file a tax... more
 
Automatic Investment Plan
An "automatic investment plan" is an investment program in which funds are automatically... more
 
Automatic Reinvestment Plan
An "automatic reinvestment plan" is an investment program in which capital gains, dividends, or... more
 
Automatic Stay
An "automatic stay" is a law that goes into effect immediately upon filing a bankruptcy petition.... more
 
Available Credit
"Available credit" is the unused portion of a line of credit for which a person or firm is... more
 
Average Cost
"Average cost" typically refers to the average cost of stock or other securities bought at... more
 
Baby Bond
A "baby bond" usually refers a bond that has a par value of less than... more
 
Back Office
There are typically three parts to a financial services company (for example, a stock broker or a... more
 
Back Stop
A "back stop" is something that bolsters or supports; something that provides extra support or... more
 
Back-End Load
"Back-end load" refers to one of three types of sales charges imposed by mutual funds that charge... more
 
Backdating
"Backdating" is the dating of any document with a date earlier than the actual date on which the... more
 
Backup Withholding
A "backup withholding" is the withholding of taxes from the proceeds of the sale of an investment.... more
 
Bad Debt
A "bad debt" is a debt that is written off and deemed... more
 
Balance of Trade
The "balance of trade" is the difference of a country's imports and its exports over a specific... more
 
Balance Sheet
"Balance sheet" is a financial statement that summarizes a person's or company's assets,... more
 
Balanced Fund
A "balanced fund" is a mutual fund that invests in a mix of stocks and... more
 
Balloon Mortgage
A "balloon mortgage" is a mortgage loan with periodic payments of principal and interest that do... more
 
Balloon Payment
The final payment that repays all the remaining principal and interest of a partially amortized or... more
 
Bank
A "bank" is a financial institution that receives deposits and channels money into lending... more
 
Bank Line
A "bank line" is a line of credit issued by a bank for the benefit of a customer of the bank. The... more
 
Bankruptcy
"Bankruptcy" is a legal proceeding under federal law that releases a person or entity from repaying... more
 
Barrons Confidence Index
The "Barron's Confidence Index" is the weekly index prepared by the publishers of Barrons, a... more
 
Basis Point
"Basis point" is a term used to quote yields of 1/100 of a percent for interest rates. For example,... more
 
BDC
A "Business Development Company" or a "BDC" is a company that is created to help finance companies... more
 
Bear Hug
A "bear hug" is a form of unsolicited corporate takeover proposal (often in the form of a letter),... more
 
Bear Market
"Bear market" is a stock market in which prices exhibit a declining trend, for a prolonged period,... more
 
Bearer Bond
"Bearer bonds" are bonds that are not registered in the name of the owner on the books of the... more
 
Bellwether Stock
A "bellwether stock" is a stock which is used to gauge the performance of the stock market in... more
 
Beneficial Owner
A "beneficial owner" is any person or entity with sole or shared power to vote or dispose of the... more
 
Beneficiary
A "beneficiary" is generally a person or entity who receives money or other benefits. The... more
 
Bequest
"Bequest" is property left to an heir under the terms of... more
 
Best Ask
The term "best ask" refers to the lowest quoted offer of all competing market makers to sell a... more
 
Best Bid
"Best bid" typically refers to the highest price at which any buyer is currently willing to pay for... more
 
Bi-Weekly Mortgage
A "bi-weekly mortgage" is a mortgage loan on which interest and principal payments are made every... more
 
Bid
The term "bid" in the context of the securities over-the-counter market refers to the highest price... more
 
Bid-Ask Spread
The term "bid-asked spread" refers to difference between the bid and ask price for a security. The... more
 
Big Board
"Big Board" is a nickname for the New York Stock Exchange, located on Wall Street in New... more
 
Bill of Exchange
A "bill of exchange" is a written document used primarily in international trade that requires one... more
 
Bill of Sale
A "Bill of Sale" is typically a simple form of legal document to transfer legal title of personal... more
 
Black Scholes Model
The term "Black Scholes Model" refers to a mathematical model used to determine the value of equity... more
 
Blackout Period
The term "blackout period" refers to a timeframe established by a publicly traded company during... more
 
Blanket Lien
A "blanket lien" is a lien covering nearly all types of assets owned by a debtor. Banks making... more
 
Blind Pool
The term "blind pool" often refers to either (1) a limited partnership which doesn't identify... more
 
Blind Trust
A "blind trust" is a trust in which the trustees have full discretion over the assets, and the... more
 
Block Trade
A "block trade" is a large stock trading... more
 
Blue Sky Laws
"Blue sky laws" are state laws covering the offer and sale of... more
 
Blue-Chip Stock
"Blue chip stocks" are stocks of the biggest, best known, and often consistently profitable... more
 
Board Observation Rights Letter
A "Board Observation Rights Letter" is a legal document that grants an investor in a company the... more
 
Board of Directors
The "Board of Directors" of a corporation is the governing body of a corporation, responsible for... more
 
Board of Directors Resolutions
The term "Board of Directors' Resolutions" refers to formal actions or approvals taken by the... more
 
Boiler Room
The term "boiler room" often refers to a stock brokerage firm that uses aggressive or dishonest... more
 
Boilerplate
"Boilerplate" often refers to standard clauses or language in a contract or legal document. Typical... more
 
Bond
A "bond" is a certificate or a debt instrument upon which the issuing company or governmental body... more
 
Bond Anticipation Note
A "bond anticipation note" is a short-term bond, one year or less, used for interim financing by... more
 
Bond Broker
A "bond broker" is a securities broker that trades bonds on a securities... more
 
Bond Fund
A "bond fund" is a fund (including mutual and closed-end funds) that invests in corporate or... more
 
Bond Market
The "bond market" refers to the place where newly issued and existing corporate and government... more
 
Bond Mutual Fund
A "bond mutual fund" is a mutual fund that invests in bonds. A bond mutual fund is usually... more
 
Bond Quote
The term "bond quote" refers to a quote of a bond's current trading price. For example, a... more
 
Bond Rating
A "bond rating" is a rating based on the possibility of default by a bond issuer. The ratings range... more
 
Bond Swap
The term "bond swap" refers to the sale of a bond and the purchase of another bond with similar... more
 
Bond Yield
"Bond yield" refers to the return an investor would earn if a bond was purchased and held to... more
 
Bondholders
A "bondholder" is the holder of corporate or government... more
 
Book Runner
"Book runner" refers to the managing underwriter for a new securities issuance. The book runner... more
 
Book Value
"Book value" is a company's total assets minus its liabilities (such as loans or accounts... more
 
Book-Entry Securities
"Book-entry securities" are those not represented by paper certificates but are maintained in... more
 
Borrow
"Borrow" means to obtain or receive money on loan with the promise that it will be repaid on... more
 
Borrower
"Borrower" means a person or entity that borrows money or uses another form of... more
 
Bought Deal
A "bought deal" refers to a securities offering in which the lead underwriter buys all the... more
 
Bounced Check
A "bounced check" is a check returned by a bank because of insufficient funds in the checking... more
 
Bourse
The term "Bourse" refers to a French term for a stock exchange. The national stock market of... more
 
Brady Bonds
"Brady Bonds" are bonds issued by the governments of developing countries as part of a... more
 
Bridge Financing
"Bridge financing" is an interim financing in anticipation of a more permanent financing to be... more
 
Broad-Based Index
The term "broad based index" usually refers to a stock or bond index designed to reflect the... more
 
Broker
A "broker" is person or entity who, for a fee, acts as the agent of another, assists in arranging... more
 
Broker-dealer
The term "broker-dealer" usually refers to a financial institution that has registered with the SEC... more
 
Brokered Deposit
A "brokered deposit" is a deposit that is obtained from or through the assistance of a deposit... more
 
Budget
A "budget" is an organized financial plan for a scheduled financial activity (such as an overall... more
 
Budget Deficit
"Budget deficit" is the amount by which expenses exceeds revenues during an accounting period.... more
 
Bulge Bracket
The term "bulge bracket" refers to the group of investment banking firms in an underwriting... more
 
Bull Market
"Bull market" is a stock market marked by rising prices and... more
 
Bullet Loan
A "bullet loan" is a loan without periodic principal payments but with the entire amount (balloon... more
 
Bullet Repayment
A "bullet repayment" is where a loan is repaid entirely at the maturity date. See "Bullet... more
 
Bullish
"Bullish" refers to investor optimism or outlook, as opposed to a "bearish" or pessimistic investor... more
 
Bunny Bond
A "bunny bond" is a bond that offers investors the option to reinvest interest payments into... more
 
Burn Rate
"Burn rate" refers to a company's rate of negative cash flow while ramping up operations and... more
 
Business Development Company
A "Business Development Company" or a "BDC" is a company that is created to help finance companies... more
 
Business Expenses
"Business expenses" are the cost of carrying on a trade or business. These expenses are usually... more
 
Business Incubators
"Business incubators" are organizations that assist start up (new) companies by providing office... more
 
Business Plan
A Business Plan is a document that sets forth a description of a particular company and its plans... more
 
Buy on Margin
To "buy on margin" involves a stock investor borrowing money to buy additional shares, and using... more
 
Buy-and-Hold Strategy
A "buy-and-hold strategy" is an investment strategy to buy securities and hold them for the long... more
 
Buyback
The term "buyback" in the context of the financial markets refers to a situation where a company is... more
 
Buydown
A "buydown" is a term often used to describe a payment to a mortgage lender from the seller or... more
 
Buyout
A "buyout" often refers to a purchase of a controlling interest of a company's stock or the... more
 
Bylaws
The "Bylaws" of a corporation contain the rules and procedures that govern rights and powers of... more
 
C Corporation
A "C corporation" refers to the federal tax classification of a corporation with respect to how... more
 
Cafeteria Plan
A "cafeteria plan" is an employee benefit plan that allows employees to select among various... more
 
Calculation Agent
A "calculation agent" is a professional who determines the value of a derivative security or the... more
 
Calendar Spread
A "calendar spread" is an options trading strategy where options are bought and sold on the same... more
 
Call Date
"Call date" is the date when an issuer of bonds may retire a portion or all of its outstanding... more
 
Call Option
"Call option" is an option contract that gives the holder the right to purchase a set number of... more
 
Call Premium
A "call premium" refers to either (1) the amount that a call option costs or (2) the price premium... more
 
Call Price
A "call price" is the premium (or penalty) a securities (often bonds or preferred stock) issuer... more
 
Call Protection
"Call protection" is a feature in some callable bonds providing that the bonds may not be redeemed... more
 
Call Risk
The term "call risk" refers to the risk to a bondholder that a bond may be redeemed (or "called")... more
 
Callable Bond
A "callable bond" is a bond that permits the issuer to redeem the bond before the stated maturity... more
 
Called Away
"Called away" refers to a bond that is redeemed prior to its stated maturity date, pursuant to a... more
 
Capital
"Capital" in the financial context means money invested in a company typically through issuance of... more
 
Capital Appreciation Fund
A "capital appreciation fund" is a mutual fund that seeks maximum capital appreciation through the... more
 
Capital Asset
"Capital asset" is a long term asset such as land or property, not purchased for sale or lease in... more
 
Capital Cost Allowance
"Capital cost allowance" is a tax term used for depreciation; in essence, the portion of the cost... more
 
Capital Expenditures
"Capital expenditures" refers to expenditures used to acquire or improve long-term (or capital)... more
 
Capital Gain
"Capital gain" is the difference between the net sales price of an asset or security and its net... more
 
Capital Gains Distribution
A "capital gains distribution" is a distribution to the stockholders of a mutual fund out of... more
 
Capital Gains Tax
A "capital gains tax" is the tax levied on profits from the sale of capital... more
 
Capital Improvement
A "capital improvement" is an improvement to property that adds to the value and extends the useful... more
 
Capital Lease
A "capital lease" is a lease obligation that, under applicable accounting practices, has to be... more
 
Capital Loss
"Capital loss" is when an asset or security is sold at a loss, equal to the difference between the... more
 
Capital Stock
"Capital stock" is all ownership shares of a corporation, including common stock and preferred... more
 
Capital Surplus
"Capital surplus" is the contribution by shareholders of a corporation in excess of par value of... more
 
Capitalization
The term "capitalization" has multiple meanings, including: (1) the value of outstanding stock of a... more
 
Capitalization Rate
"Capitalization rate" is the rate of interest used to calculate the present value of a number of... more
 
Capitalization Table
A "capitalization table" of a company displays the capitalization of the company from each... more
 
Capitalized Interest
"Capitalized interest" is accrued interest which is added to the principal of a loan creating a new... more
 
Carry Forwards
The term "carry forwards" generally refers to tax losses allowed to be used to offset taxable... more
 
Cash Advance
A "cash advance" is a cash loan from a credit card using an ATM or bank withdrawal. Interest on the... more
 
Cash and Equivalents
The term "cash and equivalents" refers to cash on a company's balance sheet plus the value of... more
 
Cash Basis Accounting
"Cash basis accounting" refers to the accounting method that recognizes revenues and expenses when... more
 
Cash Discount
A "cash discount" often refers to a discount from the purchase price of a good or service, based on... more
 
Cash Dividend
A "cash dividend" is a dividend paid in cash to a company's stockholders. The amount is... more
 
Cash Flow
"Cash flow" refers to a company's earnings before depreciation, amortization and non-cash... more
 
Cash out Refinance
"Cash out refinance" refers to a new mortgage for an existing property which allows the borrower... more
 
Cash Surrender Value
"Cash surrender value" refers to the amount of cash a person may obtain by voluntarily surrendering... more
 
Cash Value Insurance
"Cash value insurance" is a life insurance policy which in addition to providing death benefits... more
 
Cash-on-Cash Return
The term "cash-on-cash return" refers to the calculation of the rate of return earned on the cash... more
 
Cash-Out Refinance
A "cash-out refinance" is the situation where a borrower refinances his mortgage at a higher amount... more
 
Cashiers Check
A "cashier's check" is a check issued by a bank where the bank is the sole obligor on the... more
 
Cashless Exercise
A "cashless exercise" is the exercise of an option by the option holder in a manner that does not... more
 
Casualty Insurance
"Casualty insurance' is insurance protecting a company or property owner against losses caused... more
 
Casualty Loss
A "casualty loss" is a financial loss caused by damage, destruction or loss of property as a result... more
 
CBO
A "collateralized bond obligation" (sometimes referred to as a "CBO") is a bond backed (or... more
 
CBOE
The "Chicago Board Options Exchange" is a securities exchange based in Chicago, Illinois for the... more
 
CBOT
The "Chicago Board of Trade" is an exchange for financial futures and... more
 
CD
A "certificate of deposit" or "CD" is a certificate typically usually issued by a bank, credit... more
 
CEA
The "Commodity Exchange Act" or "CEA" is the federal law regulating commodity futures and options... more
 
CEO
The "CEO" or "Chief Executive Officer" is the highest ranking officer of a corporation. He or she... more
 
CEO Employment Agreement
A "CEO Employment Agreement" is an agreement containing the employment terms and conditions between... more
 
Certificate of Deposit
A "certificate of deposit" or CD is a certificate typically issued by a bank, credit union or... more
 
Certificate of Incorporation
The "Certificate of Incorporation" (or sometimes called the Articles of Incorporation) is the... more
 
Certified Check
A "certified check" is a check drawn on the account of a person or entity on which a bank has... more
 
Certified Financial Planner
A "certified financial planner" is the designation awarded by the Certified Financial Planner Board... more
 
Certified Financial Statements
The term "certified financial statements" refers to the balance sheet, income statement, and other... more
 
Certified Public Accountant
A "certified public accountant" or "CPA" is an accountant who has met certain standards and passed... more
 
CFA
"CFA" stands for Chartered Financial Analyst, which is a professional designation given by the CFA... more
 
CFO
The "Chief Financial Officer" or "CFO" is the corporate officer often primarily responsible for the... more
 
CFTC
The "Commodity Futures Trading Commission" or "CFTC" is a federal agency that regulates exchange... more
 
Channel stuffing
"Channel stuffing" is the practice of a company or its sales force in artificially inflating its... more
 
Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
A "Chapter 11 Bankruptcy" is a category of proceeding under federal bankruptcy laws where a... more
 
Chapter 13
The term "Chapter 13" is a category of proceeding under federal bankruptcy laws. Under Chapter 13,... more
 
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
A "Chapter 7 Bankruptcy" is a category of proceeding under federal bankruptcy laws under which the... more
 
Charge Card
A "charge card" is similar to a credit card, but that charges no interest and requires you to pay... more
 
Charge Off
A "charge off" is a term often used to indicate that a creditor does not expect to collect the... more
 
Chargeback
A "chargeback" occurs when a customer disputes a credit card sale by a merchant. When there is a... more
 
Charitable Donation
A "charitable donation" is a tangible gift in the form of money or goods to a public or private... more
 
Charitable Lead Trust
A "charitable lead trust" is a trust established to pay income to a charity for a specified time... more
 
Charitable Remainder Trust
A "charitable remainder trust" is an irrevocable trust that pays income to one or more individual... more
 
Charter
A "charter" is the governing document to form a corporation. See "Articles of Incorporation" and... more
 
Chartered Financial Analyst
A "Chartered Financial Analyst" or "CFA" is a professional designation given by the CFA Institute... more
 
Chastity Bond
A "chastity bond" is a bond that becomes immediately due and payable up on the completion of a... more
 
Cheap Stock
"Cheap stock" often refers to stock sold by a company prior to its IPO at prices "substantially"... more
 
Checking Account
A "checking account" is a, account at a bank or similar financial institution (for example, a... more
 
Chicago Board of Trade
The "Chicago Board of Trade" or "CBOT" is an exchange for financial futures and... more
 
Chicago Board Options Exchange
The "Chicago Board Options Exchange" or "CBOE" is a securities exchange based in Chicago, Illinois... more
 
Chief Executive Officer
The "CEO" or "chief executive officer" is the highest ranking officer of a corporation. She or he... more
 
Chief Financial Officer
The "chief financial officer" or "CFO" is the corporate officer primarily responsible for the... more
 
Chief Operating Officer
A "chief operating officer" or "COO" is a corporate officer responsible for management of... more
 
Child Tax Credit
A "child tax credit" is a federal tax credit based on the number of dependent children in a family.... more
 
Churning
The term "churning" refers to excessive securities trading by a stock broker who derives a profit... more
 
Classified Board
A "classified board" is a corporate Board structure where only a portion of the Board of Directors... more
 
Classified Shares
The term "classified shares" refers to the categorization of company stock into more than one class... more
 
Clear Title
"Clear title" often refers to title to real property that is free of defects or legal challenges to... more
 
Clearing House
A "clearing house" is an organization handling the processing of securities that are purchased or... more
 
Cliff Vesting
The term "cliff vesting" refers to the process of holders of employee stock options vesting (or... more
 
Close Corporation
A "close corporation" is a corporation that elects in its Certificate of Incorporation (or Articles... more
 
Closed End Fund
A "closed end fund" is a mutual fund that sells a fixed number of shares in a managed portfolio of... more
 
Closely Held
The term "closely held" refers to a corporation whose voting stock is held by a few... more
 
Closely Held Shares
The term "closely held shares" refers to all or a majority of shares in a corporation that are held... more
 
Closing Bell
A "closing bell" is a bell that rings to signify the end of a stock exchange... more
 
Closing Costs
"Closing costs" are the expenses involved in transferring ownership or borrowing against a real... more
 
Closing Price
A "closing price" is thee price of the last transaction of a particular stock at the end of a... more
 
Closing Statement
A "closing statement" is a statement typically prepared by a title or escrow company in connection... more
 
Closing Tick
The term "closing tick" means the number of stocks on the New York Stock Exchange which closed... more
 
Cloud on Title
The term "cloud on title" refers to a defect in the title to real property which prevents the title... more
 
Club deals
"Club deals" typically refers to a group of private equity investors who band together to buy out... more
 
CMBS
Commercial mortgage-backed securities" or "CMBS" are mortgage backed securities that are backed by... more
 
CMO
A "collateralized mortgage obligation" or "CMO" is a fixed-income investment (bond) backed by... more
 
Co-Pay
The term "co-pay" usually refers to a dollar amount required to be paid by a member of a health... more
 
Co-Payment
A "co-payment" is a specified dollar amount which a member under a health insurance plan must pay... more
 
Co-Signer
A "co-signer" is an additional person who assumes liability for obligations under a loan by... more
 
COBRA
The term "COBRA" stands for the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended.... more
 
COFI
The term "COFI" stands for the 11th District Cost of Funds Index, an index that is used to... more
 
Coinsurance
"Coinsurance" refers to a type of health insurance policy where the insured pays a set percentage... more
 
COLA
The term "COLA" or "Cost of Living Adjustment" refers to the increase in wages or pension benefits... more
 
Collateral
"Collateral" is an asset or real property used as security for... more
 
Collateralized Bond Obligation
A "collateralized bond obligation" (sometimes referred to as a "CBO") is an investment grade bond... more
 
Collateralized Mortgage Obligation
A "collateralized mortgage obligation" or "CMO" is a fixed-income investment (bond) backed by... more
 
Collection Agency
A "collection agency" is a business that pursues payments on debts owed by individuals or... more
 
Combined Loan to Value Ratio
The term "combined loan to value ratio" refers to the total balance of mortgages on a property... more
 
Comfort Letter
A "comfort letter" is typically a letter written by an independent accountant to an underwriter or... more
 
Commercial Letters of Credit
A "commercial letter of credit" is a letter usually issued by a bank that on behalf of a buyer that... more
 
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities
Commercial mortgage backed securities" or "CMBS" are mortgage backed securities that are backed by... more
 
Commercial Paper
"Commercial paper" is a short term unsecured promissory note issued by a company, typically for a... more
 
Commercial Real Estate
The term "commercial real estate" generally refers to properties used for industrial, commercial,... more
 
Commingled Fund
The term "commingled fund" refers to a type of mutual fund with assets from multiple accounts that... more
 
Commingling
The term "commingling" refers either to (1) the act of mixing money or property that is separate in... more
 
Commission
The term "commission" typically refers to either (1) the fee paid to a stockbroker to execute a... more
 
Commitment Fee
A "commitment fee" is the fee charged by the lender to commit itself to a mortgage or loan on... more
 
Commodity
A "commodity" is a food, a metal or another physical substance that investors buy or sell,... more
 
Commodity Exchange Act
The "Commodity Exchange Act" or "CEA" is the federal law regulating the commodity futures and... more
 
Commodity Futures Trading Commission
The "Commodity Futures Trading Commission" or CFTC is a federal agency that regulates exchange... more
 
Common Stock
"Common stock" is the basic class of stock in a corporation, giving the owner a share of the... more
 
Community Property
"Community property" is term describing how some states classify property acquired during a... more
 
Comparables
"Comparables" is a real estate term referring to properties which are similar to a particular... more
 
Competitive Bid
The term "competitive bid" refers to the price and terms submitted in a sealed bid to an issuer by... more
 
Compound Interest
"Compound interest" refers to the process of adding interest to the principal of a loan and... more
 
Compounding
"Compounding" is term often used to describe the process of adding interest to the principal amount... more
 
Condominium
A "condominium" is a form of real estate ownership in which each owner has title to a specific unit... more
 
Confidentiality Agreement
A "confidentiality agreement" is a contract that contemplates one party disclosing proprietary or... more
 
Conforming Loan
A "conforming loan" is a mortgage that meets the requirements for purchase by Fannie Mae or Freddie... more
 
Conglomerate
A "conglomerate" is a term often used to refer to a large corporation that has diversified its... more
 
Consent by Lessor
A "consent by Lessor" is a legal document where the landlord of leased premises gives his or her... more
 
Conservatorship
A "conservatorship" is a legal process in which an adult is appointed by a court to make financial... more
 
Consignment Agreement
A "consignment agreement" is a contract where the owner of goods turns them over to a seller (such... more
 
Consolidated Financial Statement
A "consolidated financial statement" is a financial statement that shows all the assets,... more
 
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act
The "Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985", as amended, or "COBRA", is a federal... more
 
Construction Loan
A "construction loan" is a short term loan that is used to finance the construction of homes or... more
 
Construction Spending
The term "construction spending" refers to an economic indicator published on a monthly basis by... more
 
Consulting Agreement
A "consulting agreement" is a contract between two parties where the "consultant" provides... more
 
Consumer Credit
"Consumer credit" is a category of credit that a bank or other lender grants to consumers for the... more
 
Consumer Durables
"Consumer durables" refers to consumer products that are expected to last at least three years. ... more
 
Consumer Price Index
The "Consumer Price Index" or CPI is the monthly measure of prices of consumer goods or services... more
 
Contract
A "contract" is a legally binding agreement between two or more parties to do or not do certain... more
 
Contract for Sale of Goods
A "contract for sale of goods" is a legal agreement where the seller of goods transfers ownership... more
 
Controller
A "controller" is one of the most senior accountants in a company, responsible for financial books... more
 
Conventional Mortgage
A "conventional mortgage" is a mortgage loan made by a bank or other financial institution without... more
 
Convertible ARM
A "convertible ARM" is an adjustable rate mortgage that can be converted into a fixed-rate mortgage... more
 
Convertible Bond
A "convertible bond" is a debt obligation of a corporation that can be exchanged for a designated... more
 
Convertible Debenture
A "convertible debenture" is a debt obligation of a corporation that allows the holder at his... more
 
Convertible Preferred Stock
"Convertible preferred stock" is a corporation's preferred stock that can be converted into... more
 
Convertibles
"Convertibles" are securities (generally bonds or preferred stock) that are exchangeable at the... more
 
COO
A "chief operating officer" or "COO" is a corporate officer responsible for management of... more
 
Cook the Books
The term "cook the books" refers to the fraudulent creation or alteration of a company's... more
 
Copyright Assignment
A "copyright assignment" is a contract that transfers a copyrighted work from the copyright holder... more
 
Corporate Bond
A "corporate bond" is a debt security issued by a corporation obligating the corporation to pay... more
 
Corporate Charter
A "corporate charter" is a legal document creating a corporation, such as a Certificate of... more
 
Corporate Tax
The term "corporate tax" refers to refers to taxes charged by various jurisdictions (federal,... more
 
Corporation
A "corporation" is a legal entity established under state law (and sometimes federal law such as a... more
 
Cost Basis
"Cost basis" is the original price of an asset or property, which is used to ultimately determine... more
 
Cost of Debt
The term "cost of debt" refers to the effective rate of interest that a company pays on... more
 
Cost of Goods Sold
The "cost of goods sold" is the total costs for buying raw material and other items (including... more
 
Cost of Living Adjustment
The term "Cost of Living Adjustment" (sometimes abbreviated to "COLA") refers to the increase in... more
 
Counter Offer
A "counter offer" is a seller's response to a buyer's offer where the seller proposes... more
 
Counterparty
The term "counterparty" refers to the other individual or institution that is party to an... more
 
Coupon Bond
A "coupon bond" is a security issued with detachable certificates (the "coupon") entitling the... more
 
Coupon Payments
"Coupon payments" are interest payments made under... more
 
Covenant
A "covenant" is a legal promise obligating a party to do something. Covenants are typically... more
 
Covered Call
A "covered call" is trading position where the trader has sold a call option while holding an... more
 
Covered Put
A "covered put" is a put options position where the option writer is also short the corresponding... more
 
CPA
A "certified public accountant" or "CPA" is an accountant who has met certain standards and passed... more
 
CPI
The "CPI" is short for the Consumer Price Index, which is the monthly measure of consumer goods or... more
 
Credit
The term "credit" has multiple meanings. Credit means the promise to pay in the future in order to... more
 
Credit Application
A "credit application" is a form to be completed by an applicant for a loan, credit card, or credit... more
 
Credit Bureau
"Credit bureaus" are credit reporting agencies. They collect information from creditors and lenders... more
 
Credit Card
A "credit card" is a plastic card that can be used to buy goods and services on credit. The credit... more
 
Credit Counseling
"Credit counseling" is counseling that helps individuals focus on reorganizing outstanding debts... more
 
Credit Enhancement
"Credit enhancement" is credit support purchased by an issuer to raise the credit rating on a debt... more
 
Credit History
"Credit history" is a record showing how a person has borrowed and repaid debt. The credit history... more
 
Credit Limit
A "credit limit" is the maximum amount of money that can be borrowed under a credit card or credit... more
 
Credit Rating
A "credit rating" is an evaluation of the credit worthiness of an individual or business and the... more
 
Credit Rating Agency
A "credit rating agency" is a company that assigns credit ratings for issuers of various debt... more
 
Credit Repair
The term "credit repair" refers to the attempt to improve one's financial reputation... more
 
Credit Report
A "credit report" is the report maintained by credit bureaus on the borrowing activities and credit... more
 
Credit Score
A "credit score" is a numerical value that summarizes an individual's creditworthiness at a... more
 
Credit Union
A "credit union" is a co-operative financial institution that is owned and controlled by its... more
 
Creditor
A "creditor" is a person or business that lends money or extends credit. Types of creditors include... more
 
Cross Default
A "cross default" refers to a clause in a loan or credit agreement that allows the lender to... more
 
Cum Dividend
The term "cum dividend" refers to the buyer of a share of stock who is entitled to the next... more
 
Cumulative Dividend
"Cumulative dividends" are dividends on preferred stock of a corporation that accrue if not paid... more
 
Cumulative Voting
"Cumulative voting" is a procedure used for electing directors in which shareholders are entitled... more
 
Current Assets
For financial accounting purposes, the term "current assets" refers to assets on the balance sheet... more
 
Current Liabilities
"Current liabilities" are amounts owed for salaries, interest, accounts payable and other debts due... more
 
Current Market Value
The term "current market value" often refers to the worth of securities held. To determine the... more
 
Current Yield
"Current yield" is the rate of return on an investment, expressed as a percentage. For bonds, the... more
 
CUSIP
"CUSIP" stands for the Committee on Uniform Securities and Identification Procedures, the standards... more
 
CUSIP Number
A "CUSIP number" is a nine character number that uniquely identifies a particular security. CUSIP... more
 
Custodial Account
A "custodial account" is on account opened on the behalf of a minor by an adult who acts as... more
 
Date of Issue
"Date of issue," in connection with bonds, refers to the date that the bond is issued and when... more
 
Date of Record
The term "date of record" refers to the date on which a stockholder must officially be on the... more
 
Day Trading
"Day trading" refers to the purchase and sale of securities (often the same securities) on the same... more
 
Deal Flow
"Deal flow" refers to the rate (or "flow") at which investment proposals or business plans come to... more
 
Debenture
A "debenture" is an unsecured debt obligation of an issuer. The terms of a debenture are typically... more
 
Debit Card
A "debit card" is a card that resembles a credit card but purchases on the card result in an... more
 
Debt
"Debt" typically refers to... more
 
Debt Consolidation
"Debt consolidation" is a process of combining debts into one loan or repayment plan. Debt... more
 
Debt Counseling
"Debt counseling" is counseling that helps individuals focus on reorganizing outstanding debts into... more
 
Debt Financing
The term "debt financing" is the borrowing of money by a government or a business, usually in... more
 
Debt holder
"Debt holder" is a holder of bonds or... more
 
Debt Instrument
A "debt instrument" is a contract which sets forth the terms and conditions of a loan between a... more
 
Debt Restructuring
The term "debt restructuring" refers to the process of renegotiating the terms and conditions of... more
 
Debt Security
A "debt security" is a contract which sets forth the terms and conditions of a loan between a... more
 
Debt Service
"Debt service" refers to the amount of funds necessary to meet the periodic payments of principal... more
 
Debt-to-Income Ratio
"Debt-to-income ratio" refers to a calculation of how much your monthly fixed payments (minimum... more
 
Debt/Equity Ratio
The term "debt/equity ratio" refers to a measure of a company's debt leverage calculated by... more
 
Debtor
A "debtor" is a person or entity who owes money to another... more
 
Debtor in Possession
A "debtor in possession" is a company that continues to operate under Chapter 11 of the U.S.... more
 
Debtor-in-Possession Financing
"Debtor-in-possession financing" is new debt obtained by a company during a Chapter 11 bankruptcy... more
 
Decimalization
The term "decimalization" refers to the changing of prices that securities trade at from fractions... more
 
Declaration Date
A "declaration date" is the date on which a corporation's Board of Directors formally... more
 
Declared Dividend
A "declared dividend" is a dividend payment that has been authorized or approved by a... more
 
Deductible
A "deductible" is the amount of the loss which a person is responsible to pay under an insurance... more
 
Deduction
A "deduction" is an expense that is allowed as a reduction of gross taxable income for tax... more
 
Deed
A "deed" is a legal instrument used for transferring title to real estate from one party to... more
 
Deed of Trust
A "deed of trust" is a legal contract that grants (or creates) a security interest in real property... more
 
Deep in the Money
The term "deep in the money" often refers to a (1) call option whose exercise price is considerably... more
 
Default
A "default" is the failure to perform a legal obligation. For example, a mortgage or deed of... more
 
Default Risk
"Default risk" refers to the risk of non-payment by a borrower under a... more
 
Deferred Compensation
"Deferred compensation" refers to compensation earned by an employee but paid at a later date,... more
 
Deferred Income Tax
A "deferred income tax" is a liability recorded on a company's balance sheet for tax that will... more
 
Defined Benefit Plan
A "defined benefit plan" is a pension plan set up by a company to make specified payments to... more
 
Defined Contribution Plan
A "defined contribution plan" is a pension plan set up by a company to make specified contribution... more
 
Deflation
"Deflation" is a general decline in the prices of goods and services. It is the opposite of... more
 
Delinquency
"Delinquency" is a term used for failure by a borrower or debtor to make payment on a loan, debt or... more
 
Delisting
"Delisting" refers to the removal of a listed company or securities from listing on a stock... more
 
Demand Deposit
A "demand deposit" is a bank deposit that can be withdrawn by the depositor at any time. A... more
 
Demand for Payment
A "demand for payment" is typically a letter or other notice demanding payment for overdue sums. A... more
 
Demand for Rent
A "Demand for Rent" is typically a letter or other notice demanding payment from a tenant for... more
 
Demand Loan
A "demand loan" is a loan that must be repaid in full, on demand by the... more
 
Department of Commerce
The "Department of Commerce" is the U.S. Cabinet Department which encourages and promotes the... more
 
Department of Treasury
The "Department of Treasury" is the U.S. Cabinet Department which performs several functions:... more
 
Deposit Insurance
"Deposit insurance" is insurance, usually by a government entity (such as the Federal Deposit... more
 
Depositary Receipt
A "depositary receipt" is a security that is traded on a local stock exchange but represents a... more
 
Depository Institution
A "depository institution" is a financial institution that obtains its funds mainly through... more
 
Depreciate
"Depreciate" means to fall in value or price. Equipment and cars typically depreciate... more
 
Depreciation
"Depreciation" is the decrease in the value of an asset from wear and tear and the passage of time.... more
 
Derivative
A "derivative" is a financial instrument that changes in value in relation to the price movements... more
 
Derivative Security
A "derivative security" is a financial security whose value is derived in part from the value and... more
 
Direct Deposit
A "direct deposit" is the automatic deposit of wages or benefits to a customer's bank account.... more
 
Direct Participation Program
A "direct participation program" is an investment vehicle typically structured as a limited... more
 
Direct Stock Purchase Plan
A "direct stock purchase plan" is a program that allows an investor to purchase stock directly from... more
 
Director
A "director" is a member of the Board of Directors of a corporation, which is the governing body of... more
 
Disability Income Insurance
"Disability income insurance" is an insurance policy that insures a worker in the event of a... more
 
Discount Bond
A "discount bond" is a bond trading at a discount from par or its face... more
 
Discount Broker
A "discount broker" is a stock brokerage house that charges relatively low commission rates for... more
 
Discount Note
A "discount note" is an unsecured non-interesting bearing debt obligation that is issued at a... more
 
Discounted Cash Flow
"Discounted cash flow" is the value of an investment (measured in terms of the cash invested and... more
 
Discretionary Income
"Discretionary income" is the amount of an individual's income available for spending after all... more
 
Disposable Income
"Disposable income" is the amount of personal income that an individual has available after... more
 
Distressed Securities
A "distressed security" is a bond or stock of a company undergoing or expected to undergo... more
 
Distribution
The term "distribution"often refers to (1) the income or capital gain made by a mutual fund that is... more
 
Diversification
"Diversification" refers to the spreading of investments among different categories of assets or... more
 
Diversified Fund
A "diversified fund" is a mutual fund that invests in a diversity of securities across a variety of... more
 
Divestiture
The term "divestiture" refers to the disposition of all or part of a business, asset or investment... more
 
Dividend
A "dividend" is a distribution of money or stock that a corporation pays to its stockholders. A... more
 
Dividend Policy
The term "dividend policy" refers to the policy of a corporation with respect to the amount of... more
 
Dividend Reinvestment Plan
A "dividend reinvestment plan" or "DRIP" is a company plan providing for an automatic reinvestment... more
 
Dividend Yield
A dividend yield" is a ratio that shows how much a company pays out in dividends each year relative... more
 
DJIA
The "DJIA" or "Dow Jones Industrial Average" is the best known general index of stocks. The index... more
 
DJTA
The "DJTA" or "Dow Jones Transportation Average" is an index based on the market prices of 20... more
 
DJUA
The "DJUA" or "Dow Jones Utility Average" monitors the stock performance of 15 gas, electric and... more
 
Dollar-Cost Averaging
"Dollar cost averaging" refers to an investment strategy of buying securities in fixed dollar... more
 
Domain Name Purchase Agreement
A "domain name purchase agreement" is a contract where the owner of a domain name (e.g.,... more
 
Dow Jones Industrial Average
The "DJIA" or "Dow Jones Industrial Average" is the best known general index of stocks. The index... more
 
Dow Jones Transportation Average
The "Dow Jones Transportation Average" or "DJTA" is based on an index of 20 stocks in the... more
 
Dow Jones Utility Average
The "Dow Jones Utility Average" or "DJUA" monitors the stock performance of 15 gas, electric and... more
 
Dow Theory
"Dow theory" is a theory that major market trends depend on how the Dow Jones Industrial Average... more
 
Down Payment
A "down payment" with reference to a home or other real estate purchase refers to the cash portion... more
 
Downgrade
The term "downgrade" is often used in the stock market to refer to a analyst's change in the... more
 
Downtick
The term "downtick" refers to how a stock has traded on a stock exchange when compared to the... more
 
DPP
A "DPP" or "direct participation program" is an investment vehicle typically structured as a... more
 
Drag Along Rights
"Drag along rights "refer to a contractual right in an investment contract that large or majority... more
 
DRIP
A "DRIP" or "dividend reinvestment plan" is a company plan providing for an automatic reinvestment... more
 
Dual Listing
"Dual listing" refers to a company's securities being listed on more than one stock exchange... more
 
Due Diligence
"Due diligence" is the process of a review of a company's operations, financial statements,... more
 
Due Diligence Checklist
A "due diligence checklist" is a checklist typically used by acquirers of businesses or venture... more
 
Due Diligence Questionnaire
A "due diligence questionnaire" is a questionnaire given to the company being reviewed for a... more
 
Due on Sale Clause
A "due on sale clause" is a contract provision often found in a mortgage or deed of trust providing... more
 
Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare
A "durable power of attorney for healthcare" is a document in which a person is appointed to make... more
 
Durables
"Durables" are a type of consumer product that do not have to be purchased frequently and intended... more
 
Dutch Auction
A "Dutch auction" is a method used in the sale of securities in which the security's offer... more
 
E-Commerce Agreement
An "E-commerce agreement" is a contract between two parties, relating to the promotion of products... more
 
Early Withdrawal Penalty
An "early withdrawal penalty" is a penalty paid by the holder of a fixed-term debt instrument (such... more
 
Earned Income
"Earned income" refers generally to an individual's income earned from employment or... more
 
Earned Income Credit
The "earned income credit" is a federal tax credit that low income workers may be entitled to... more
 
Earnest Money Deposit
An "earnest money deposit" is the amount of money given by the buyer to a seller of an asset upon... more
 
Earnings
The term "earnings" typically refers to (1) in the case of an individual, salary and other... more
 
Earnings before Interest & Tax
"Earnings before interest and tax" or "EBIT" is a financial measure of a company defined as its... more
 
Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization
"Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization" or "EBITDA" is a financial measure... more
 
Earnings before Tax
"Earnings before tax" refers to a company's revenues minus all expenses other than... more
 
Earnings Estimate
An "earnings estimate" is an estimate by a securities analyst as to the future expected earnings... more
 
Earnings Management
"Earnings management" typically refers to a practice undertaken by public companies to manipulate... more
 
Earnings Per Share
"Earnings per share" or "EPS" is a financial measure of a company based upon the company's... more
 
Earnout
The term "earnout" refers to a contract provision in an acquisition contract stating that the... more
 
Earthquake Insurance
"Earthquake insurance" is a form of property insurance that pays the policyholder in the event of... more
 
Easement
An "easement" is a limited legal right to use another person's real estate for a specific... more
 
EBIT
"Earnings before interest and taxes" or "EBIT" is a financial measure of a company defined as its... more
 
EBITDA
"Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization" or "EBITDA" is a financial measure... more
 
EBT
"EBT" stands for "earnings before tax," which is a company's income minus all expenses, other... more
 
ECOA
The "Equal Credit Opportunity Act" or "ECOA" is a federal law that protects consumers from... more
 
EDGAR
"EDGAR" refers to the SEC's Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system, a... more
 
Education IRA
An "education IRA" is a form of individual retirement account enabling the contribution of up to... more
 
Effective Tax Rate
The term "effective tax rate" refers to the ratio, generally expressed as a percentage, of taxes... more
 
Electronic Filing
"Electronic filing" typically refers to the filing of tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service... more
 
Electronic Funds Transfer
"Electronic funds transfer" or "EFT" is a transfer of funds electronically rather than by check or... more
 
Eligible Rollover Distribution
An "eligible rollover distribution" is a distribution from an IRA or qualifying retirement plan... more
 
Elliott Wave Theory
The "Elliott Wave Theory" is a technical analysis theory for predicting the behavior of the stock... more
 
Emerging Market Fund
An "emerging market fund" is a mutual fund that invests in securities which are traded in the... more
 
Emerging Markets
The term "emerging markets" refers to the financial markets of developing... more
 
Employee Confidentiality and Invention Assignment Agreement
To make sure that employees keep a company's proprietary information confidential, an "employee... more
 
Employee Contribution Plan
An "employee contribution plan" is a retirement plan whereby employees make contributions to an... more
 
Employee Handbook
An "employee handbook" is a company's written statement of policies and procedures applicable... more
 
Employee Retirement Income Security Act
The "Employee Retirement Income Security Act" or "ERISA" is the U.S.federal law that governs the... more
 
Employee Share Ownership Trust
An "employee share ownership trust" or "ESOT" is a trust account established by a corporation to... more
 
Employee Stock Ownership Plan
An "employee stock ownership plan" or "ESOP" is a company contributed trust fund that buys and... more
 
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
An "employee stock purchase plan" or "ESPP" is a company sponsored plan where participating... more
 
Employment Agreement
An "employment agreement" is a contract between an employer and employee setting forth the terms of... more
 
Employment Application
An "employment application" is a form to be filled out by prospective employees. The application... more
 
Employment Rate
The "employment rate" is the percentage of the number of persons actually employed over the total... more
 
Encumbrance
An "encumbrance" is a legal term referring to anything that affects or limits the title to... more
 
Endorsement
An "endorsement" has multiple meanings, including (1) a written form attached to an insurance... more
 
Endowment Fund
An "endowment fund" is a fund generated from the gift (usually of cash) of a donor to an... more
 
Enterprise Value
"Enterprise value" is defined to mean a company's market value (in other words, the total value... more
 
Entrepreneur
The term "entrepreneur" refers to an individual starting a new business and taking on the risks... more
 
EPS
"Earnings per share" or "EPS" is a financial measure of a company calculated by the company's... more
 
Equal Credit Opportunity Act
The "Equal Credit Opportunity Act" or "ECOA" is a federal law that protects consumers from... more
 
Equifax
"Equifax" is one of the three main credit reporting agencies in the United States, headquartered in... more
 
Equipment Lease Agreement
An "equipment lease agreement" is a contract that sets forth the rights and obligations between a... more
 
Equity
The term "equity" has multiple meanings, depending on the context. In connection with real estate,... more
 
Equity Financing
The term "equity financing" refers to the sale of preferred stock, common stock, options or... more
 
Equity Fund
An "equity fund" is a mutual fund that invests primarily in stocks. The value of the shares in the... more
 
Equity holders
"Equity holders" are those individuals or entities who hold portions of a firm's equity. In a... more
 
Equity Market
An "equity market" is a stock market for the trading of publicly held company stock and equity... more
 
ERISA
The "Employee Retirement Income Security Act" or "ERISA" is the federal law that governs the... more
 
Escrow
"Escrow" is a financial mechanism where property or money is held by a third party (the "escrow... more
 
Escrow Holdback
An "escrow holdback" is an escrow mechanism used in merger and acquisition transactions where a... more
 
ESOP
An "employee stock ownership plan" or "ESOP" is a company contributed trust fund that buys and... more
 
ESOT
An "employee share ownership trust" or "ESOT" is a trust established by a corporation to facilitate... more
 
ESPP
An "employee stock purchase plan" or "ESPP" is a company sponsored plan where participating... more
 
Estate
An "estate" often refers to the assets left behind by a person upon his or her death. The assets... more
 
Estate Planning
"Estate planning" is the process where a person plans for the disposition of his or her assets and... more
 
Estate Tax
An "estate tax" is a federal or state tax imposed on an individual's assets upon his or her... more
 
Estoppel Certificate
An "estoppel certificate" often refers to either (1) a document in which a borrower certifies the... more
 
ETF
"Exchange-traded funds" or "ETFs" represent a pool of stocks similar to an index mutual fund.... more
 
Euro
The "euro" is the common currency of many countries in the European Monetary Union (EMU). The... more
 
Eurobond
A "eurobond" is a debt obligation that has been issued in one country's currency but is traded... more
 
Euronext
"Euronext" is a European stock exchange with subsidiaries in Belgium, France, Netherlands, Portugal... more
 
European Union
The "European Union" is an economic association of European countries whose goals are a single... more
 
Ex-Dividend
"Ex-dividend" means "without dividend." The buyer of stock when they are quoted "ex-dividend" is... more
 
Exchange-Traded Fund
"Exchange-traded funds" or "ETFs" represent a pool of stocks similar to an index mutual fund.... more
 
Excise Tax
An "excise tax" is a tax applied to the consumption of a particular type of good, such as alcohol... more
 
Executor
An "executor" is an individual or trust institution designated in a will to administer the estate... more
 
Exemption
An "exemption" is a deduction allowed by law to reduce the amount of income that would otherwise be... more
 
Exercise Price
"Exercise price" is the price at which an option, warrant, or futures contract can be exercised to... more
 
Expense
The term "expense" with respect to accounting/financial matters refers to an outgoing payment made... more
 
Expense Ratio
The "expense ratio" of a stock or asset mutual fund is the total percentage of fund assets used for... more
 
Expensed
The term "expensed" refers to charging an expense to an expense account, and getting... more
 
Experian
"Experian" is one of the three major credit reporting agencies in the United States, formerly known... more
 
Face Value
"Face value" is the nominal, or stated, value of a stock or bond. For bonds, face value is also... more
 
Face-Amount Certificate
A "face-amount certificate" is a type of debt instrument (like a bond). A face-amount certificate... more
 
Factor
"Factor" often refers to a financial institution that will purchase a company's accounts... more
 
FAFSA
The "Free Application for Federal Student Aid" or "FAFSA," is the form that student borrowers fill... more
 
Fair Credit Reporting Act
The "Fair Credit Reporting Act" or "FCRA" is a federal law that protects the consumers' rights... more
 
Fair Housing Act
The "Fair Housing Act" or "FHA" is a federal law promoting fair housing throughout the United... more
 
Fair Market Value
"Fair market value" is an appraisal term for the "price" of a property that a seller should be able... more
 
Fairness Opinion
A "fairness opinion" is an investment banker's professional opinion as to the "fairness" of a... more
 
Family Limited Partnership
A "family limited partnership" or "FLP" is a type of limited partnership in which family members... more
 
Family of Funds
"Family of funds" is a group of mutual funds, each having a different objective such as one may be... more
 
Fannie Mae - Federal National Mortgage Association
"Fannie Mae" is a government sponsored entity that buys mortgages from lenders, bundles them into... more
 
FCRA
The "Fair Credit Reporting Act" or "FCRA" is a federal law that protects the consumers' rights... more
 
FDIC
The "Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation" or "FDIC" is a government corporation that insures... more
 
Federal Deficit
The "federal deficit" is the amount of money within the annual budget that the federal government... more
 
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
The "Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation" or "FDIC" is a government corporation that insures... more
 
Federal Gift Tax
The "federal gift tax" is the tax imposed by the federal government on the person making a gift,... more
 
Federal Home Loan Bank System
The "Federal Home Loan Bank System" or "FHLB" is a corporation owned by thousands of member... more
 
Federal Insurance Contributions Act
The "Federal Insurance Contributions Act" or "FICA" is a U.S. federal law that established the... more
 
Federal Reserve Board
The "Federal Reserve Board" is the governing body of the Federal Reserve System, which is... more
 
Fee Simple
"Fee simple" ownership of real estate is the most common form of real property ownership in the... more
 
FHA
The "Fair Housing Act" or "FHA" is a federal law promoting fair housing throughout the United... more
 
FHLB
The "Federal Home Loan Bank System" or "FHLB" is a corporation owned by thousands of member... more
 
FHLMC
The "Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation" or "FHLMC", also known as Freddie Mac, is a... more
 
FICA
The "Federal Insurance Contributions Act" or "FICA" is a U.S. law that established the payroll tax... more
 
FICO Score
The "FICO score" is also known as an individual's credit score. FICO is an acronym for Fair... more
 
Fiduciary
A "fiduciary" is a person, company, or an association that holds or manages assets for a another... more
 
FIFO
"First In, First Out" or "FIFO" is an accounting method for inventory based on the premise that the... more
 
Filing Status
"Filing status" refers to certain tax categories used in connection with filing tax returns.... more
 
Final Prospectus
A "final prospectus" is a legal document that describes the offering of securities by a company,... more
 
Finance Charge
"Finance charge" is the total cost of credit a customer must pay on a consumer loan, including... more
 
Financial Accounting
"Financial accounting" is the preparation of financial statements by the reporting and recording of... more
 
Financial Accounting Standards Board
The "Financial Accounting Standards Board" or "FASB" is the entity composed of independent members... more
 
Financial Advisor
A "financial advisor" is someone who is proficient in the financial field and who can offer... more
 
Financial Asset
A "financial asset" is any identifiable asset such as equipment, land, or buildings that can be... more
 
Financial Institution
A "financial institution" is an organization that receives funds through deposits from corporations... more
 
Financial Instrument
"Financial instruments" are papers or documents, some in physical form and others in electronic... more
 
Financial Planner
A "financial planner" is a trained professional who offers advice on how to plan out personal or... more
 
Financial Statements
"Financial statements" typically refer to a company's profit and loss statement, balance sheet,... more
 
Firm Commitment Underwriting
A "firm commitment underwriting" is typically an arrangement in which an underwriter agrees to sell... more
 
First In, First Out
"First In, First Out" or "FIFO" is an accounting method for inventory based on the premise that the... more
 
First Mortgage
"First mortgage" is a loan secured by a first lien on real property, given the lien holder priority... more
 
Fiscal Policy
"Fiscal policy" refers to the federal tax and spending policies set by Congress and/or the... more
 
Fiscal Year
"Fiscal year" is a twelve month accounting statement for a business showing the financial results... more
 
Fiscal Year-End
"Fiscal year-end" is the last date of which a business' fiscal year ends. The accounting period... more
 
Fixed Rate Loan
A "fixed rate loan" is a loan whose interest rate is fixed throughout the term of the loan.... more
 
Fixed Rate Mortgage
A "fixed rate mortgage" is a real estate mortgage loan whose interest rate is fixed throughout the... more
 
Flat Tax
A "flat tax" is a system that taxes everyone's income at the same tax rate no matter how large... more
 
Flat Yield Curve
A "flat yield curve" is the graphical representation of a situation in which there is little or no... more
 
Flipping
"Flipping" is when shares of stock are purchased in an initial public offering (IPO) and then are... more
 
Float
The "float" is the number of shares of a company that are publicly owned and tradable. Large... more
 
Floating Interest Rate
"Floating interest rate" is a rate that goes up and down with the condition of the general market... more
 
Floating-Rate Note
A "floating-rate note" is a debt security the interest rate of which is periodically adjusted. For... more
 
Flood Insurance
"Flood insurance" is insurance that is designed to protect a homeowner against losses caused by a... more
 
FNMA
"FNMA" or "Fannie Mae" is a government sponsored entity that buys mortgages from lenders, bundles... more
 
Follow-On Offering
A "follow-on offering" is a type of secondary offering of a stock in which a company sells... more
 
Forbearance
"Forbearance" is a postponement of monthly payments for a limited amount of time in which a... more
 
Force Majeure
"Force majeure" is a contract clause that excuses one or both parties from fulfilling all or part... more
 
Foreclosure
"Foreclosure" is the process by which a holder of a mortgage or deed of trust forces a sale of the... more
 
Foreign Currency
"Foreign currency" is money of another... more
 
Form 10-K
"Form 10-K" is the SEC form required to be filed by publicly held companies that provide annual... more
 
Form 10-Q
"Form 10-Q" is the form required by the SEC to be filed by public companies on a quarterly basis,... more
 
Form 1099-DIV
"Form 1099-DIV" is the IRS form usually sent by financial institutions to investors and to the IRS... more
 
Form 1099-Q
"Form 1099-Q" is an IRS form used to report disbursements from a Coverdell Education Savings... more
 
Form 1099-R
"Form 1099-R" is a form issued by the Internal Revenue Service, used to report individual... more
 
Form 3
"Form 3" is the form required by the SEC from all holders of 10% or more of a public company's... more
 
Form 4
"Form 4" is the form required by the SEC for a change in the holdings of an individual owning 10%... more
 
Form 5
"Form 5" is an SEC form that must be filed annually by directors and officers of a public company,... more
 
Form 8-K
"Form 8-K" is an SEC filing that a publicly-traded company must file to report any material changes... more
 
Forward Contract
A "forward contract" is a contract in which a seller and buyer will privately agree upon delivery... more
 
Fractional Share
A "fractional share" is a stock that is less than one full share. This usually happens when an... more
 
Franchise
A "franchise" is a business that has been established or operates under the authorization to sell... more
 
Franchise Agreement
A "franchise agreement" is a contract that is between a franchisor and a franchisee. This contract... more
 
Fraudster
"Fraudster" refers to someone who commits fraud of some kind, such as Internet fraud or securities... more
 
Fraudulent Conveyance
The term "fraudulent conveyance" (or fraudulent transfer) refers to the transfer of valuable assets... more
 
Freddie Mac - Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp
The "Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation" or "FHLMC", also known as Freddie Mac, is a... more
 
Free Application for Federal Student Aid
The "Free Application for Federal Student Aid" or "FAFSA," is the form that student borrowers must... more
 
Front Office
In a financial services company, the front office typically includes corporate finance and sales... more
 
Front-End Load
"Front-end load" is one of three types of sales charges imposed by mutual funds that charge fees:... more
 
Front-End Ratio
A "front-end ratio" is the percentage of a person's monthly income allotted to mortgage... more
 
Full Service Broker
A "full service broker" is a securities broker who provides clients a broad selection of fincial... more
 
Fully Subscribed
An offering of shares of securities is said to be "fully subscribed" when all the shares have been... more
 
Fund Manager
A "fund manager" is the person who oversees the investment money invested in a specific mutual... more
 
Fund of Funds
A "fund of funds" is a mutual fund, hedge fund, or other investment fund that invests in other... more
 
Futures
"Futures" is a term used to designate contracts covering the sale of financial instruments or... more
 
Futures Contract
A "futures contract" is a legally binding agreement to buy or sell a commodity or financial... more
 
GAAP
"GAAP" or "Generally Accepted Accounting Principles" are the overall rules and procedures that... more
 
Gain
"Gain" is the increase in value of an investment or asset. It can be contrasted with loss, a... more
 
Gambling Income
"Gambling income" is money received as the result of playing games of chance or wagering on events,... more
 
Gambling Loss
"Gambling loss" is money lost as the result of playing games of chance or wagering on events, such... more
 
Garnishment
"Garnishment" refers generally to a legal process undertaken by a creditor to take a portion of a... more
 
GDR
A "global depositary receipt" or "GDR" is a financial instrument that is held in a bank in one... more
 
General Ledger
A "general ledger" is the accounting records of a business that set forth all of its financial... more
 
General Obligation Bond
A "general obligation bond" or "GO Bond" is a municipal bond (a debt investment) that is backed by... more
 
General Partner
A "general partner" is a member of a general or limited partnership and who has unlimited liability... more
 
General Partnership
A general partnership is a form of business entity in which all partners have unlimited liability... more
 
General Power of Attorney
A "general power of attorney" is a legal document that allows one party to act as an agent on... more
 
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
"Generally Accepted Accounting Principles" or "GAAP" are the overall rules and procedures that... more
 
Generation-Skipping Trust
A "generation-skipping trust" is a form of legal trust that designates that a person's assets... more
 
GIC
A "GIC" or "guaranteed investment contract" is a debt instrument issued by an insurance company in... more
 
Gift Tax
A "gift tax" is a tax assessed on the gift giver of an asset or property. Federal law provides for... more
 
Ginnie Mae - Government National Mortgage Association
The Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA), also called "Ginnie Mae", is a U.S. government... more
 
Global Bond
A "global bond" is a bond issued by a company in one country and sold on the exchange in another... more
 
Global Depositary Receipt
A "global depositary receipt" or "GDR" is a financial instrument that is held in a bank in one... more
 
Global Fund
A "global fund" is a mutual fund that holds a portfolio of securities from around the world. Global... more
 
GNMA
The Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA), also called "Ginnie Mae", is a U.S. government... more
 
GO Bond
A "GO bond" or "general obligation bond" is a municipal bond (a debt instrument) that is backed by... more
 
Going Private
"Going private" refers to the act of a public company being bought by a group of private investors... more
 
Going Public
"Going public" or "IPO" refers to a private company first offering its shares to the... more
 
Golden Parachute
A "golden parachute" is a term used to describe a contract clause in a company executive's... more
 
Government Obligations
"Government obligations" are U.S. government-backed debt instruments, such as Treasury bonds,... more
 
Grace Period
"Grace period" typically refers to the time period specified in a loan agreement or credit card... more
 
Grantor
A "grantor" can be the person (individual or corporation) that makes a grant to another person. For... more
 
Grantor Retained Annuity Trust
A "grantor retained annuity trust" or "GRAT" is a trust with a set expiration date into which the... more
 
Grantor Retained Income Trust
A "Grantor Retained Income Trust" or "GRIT" is a trust where the grantor transfers property to a... more
 
GRAT
A "GRAT" or "grantor retained annuity trust" is a trust with a set expiration date into which the... more
 
Greater Fool Theory
The "greater fool theory" holds that a person can buy any investment, whether overpriced or not,... more
 
Greenmail
"Greenmail" is the practice of acquiring a large portion of the shares of a company and then... more
 
Greenshoe Option
A "greenshoe option," also called an over-allotment option, gives the underwriter (usually an... more
 
GRIT
A "Grantor Retained Income Trust" or "GRIT" is a trust where the grantor transfers property to a... more
 
Gross Income
"Gross income" typically refers to a person's taxable income received, including wages, tips,... more
 
Gross Lease
In a "gross lease," the owner of the property--the landlord--is responsible for most if not all... more
 
Gross Margin
"Gross margin" is the ratio of gross profit to net sales, expressed as a percentage. It is... more
 
Gross Profit
"Gross profit" is a company's net sales minus the cost of the goods sold. The revenue is... more
 
Gross Profit Margin
"Gross profit margin" is the ratio of a company's gross profit to its net sales. Gross profit... more
 
Gross Sales
"Gross sales" is the total value of sales before deducting discounts and returns. The figure... more
 
Gross Spread
The "gross spread" is the price at which a security is offered to the public minus the price at... more
 
Ground Lease
A "ground lease", also referred to as a land lease, is a lease agreement in which the lessee leases... more
 
Growth Company
A "growth company" is a company with cash flows or earnings that appreciate quickly relative to the... more
 
Growth Fund
A "growth fund" is a mutual fund that invests primarily in growth... more
 
Growth Stock
A growth stock is stock in a company with cash flows or earnings that appreciate (or are expected... more
 
Guaranteed Investment Contracts
A "guaranteed investment contract" or "GIC" is a debt instrument issued by an insurance company in... more
 
Guardian
A "guardian" is a person or institution with the legal responsibility to care for a minor or some... more
 
Gun Jumping
"Gun jumping" is the illegal practice of selling shares of stock or soliciting offers for shares... more
 
Health Savings Account
A "health savings account" or "HSA" is an account, funded by an individual or his or her employer,... more
 
Hedge
A "hedge" is an investment that reduces an investor's risk from another investment. The hedge... more
 
Hedge Fund
A "hedge fund" is a private investment fund that invests in stocks, and may employ a variety of... more
 
Hedging
"Hedging" is the investment strategy of using hedges to reduce the risk of adverse price movement... more
 
Heir
An "heir" is someone who is legally entitled to receive a person's assets when that person... more
 
High Yield Bond
A "high yield bond" is a bond with a relatively high interest rate (and thus a relatively high... more
 
High-Deductible Health Plan
A "high-deductible health plan" or "HDHP" is a health insurance plan with a relatively high... more
 
High-Grade Bond
A "high-grade bond" is a bond with an AAA or AA rating in Standard & Poor's or Moody's... more
 
High-Tech Stocks
A "high-tech stock" (or simply "tech stock") is stock in a company in the technology sector. Such... more
 
High-Yield Fund
A "high-yield fund" is a mutual fund that primarily invests in lower rated bonds that have... more
 
Hit the Bid
"Hitting the bid" occurs when a dealer of stocks agrees to sell shares of the stock for another... more
 
Hobby Loss
A "hobby loss" is a financial loss (as opposed to a gain) that an individual incurs as the result... more
 
Hold Recommendation
A "hold recommendation" is an analyst's opinion that can loosely be interpreted to mean that a... more
 
Holdback Escrow
A "holdback escrow" is an escrow mechanism used in merger and acquisition transactions where a... more
 
Holder of Record
The "holder of record" is the person (an individual or entity) who is the registered owner of a... more
 
Holding Period
A "holding period" is the period of time an asset, such as an investment, is held by an owner... more
 
Home Equity
"Home equity" is the fair market value of a home minus the total amounts of any mortgages on the... more
 
Home Equity Line of Credit
A "home equity line of credit" is a line of credit allowing the borrower to draw down loans from... more
 
Home Equity Loan
A "home equity loan" is loan or line of credit that is secured by the borrower's equity in his... more
 
Home Office Expense
A "home office expense" is an IRS income tax deduction that allows people who spend at least half... more
 
Home Warranty
The term "home warranty" can denote an agreement between a home buyer and home seller as to the... more
 
Homeowners Association
A "homeowners' association" is a corporation or other type of organization consisting of... more
 
Homeowners Insurance
"Homeowner's insurance" is an insurance product designed to indemnify a homeowner for covered... more
 
Hostile Takeover
A "hostile takeover" refers to an acquisition of all or a significant number of the shares of a... more
 
Hot IPO
A "hot IPO" is a highly anticipated initial public offering (IPO) of shares of stock. The IPO is... more
 
Hot Issue
A "hot issue" is a stock that is in high demand. The term "hot issue" generally applies to a hot... more
 
Housing Bonds
A "housing bond" is a debt security issued by a municipal government to finance construction of... more
 
Housing Expense Ratio
The "housing expense ratio" is a figure that lenders use to help determine the amount of a home... more
 
Housing Market Index
The "housing market index" is a statistical model used to track the demand for new homes. It is... more
 
Housing Starts
"Housing starts" refers to the number of home constructions begun during a certain time period.... more
 
HSA
An "HSA" or "health savings account" is an account, funded by an individual or his or her employer,... more
 
HUD
"HUD" is the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, a federal agency. HUD was... more
 
HUD-1 Form
The "HUD-1 Form," also called the "closing sheet" or "settlement sheet" is a detailed accounting of... more
 
Hurdle Rate
The "hurdle rate" is the rate of return on an investment below which a person will not invest. In... more
 
I-Bonds
"I-Bonds" or "inflation bonds" are U.S. Treasury savings bonds with indexed to try to take account... more
 
Identity Theft
"Identity theft" is the deliberate assumption of another person's identity, usually to gain... more
 
IDR
An "international depository receipt" or "IDR" is a certificate issued by a bank as evidence of... more
 
IMM
The "International Monetary Market" or "IMM" is a centralized market in Chicago where currency,... more
 
Impaired Credit
"Impaired credit" refers to the situation where a company's or an individual's financial... more
 
Imputed Interest
"Imputed interest" is interest that is considered to have been paid although no actual payment was... more
 
In the Money Options
The phrase "in the money option" refers to a stock option where the market price of the underlying... more
 
Incentive Stock Option
An "incentive stock option" or "ISO" is a stock option that has met certain requirements specified... more
 
Income
The term "income" generally refers to the money earned by individuals or companies. For... more
 
Income Bond
An "income bond" is a bond that only pays interest if the corporation has enough earnings. These... more
 
Income Fund
An "income fund" is a mutual fund whose goal is to provide an income from investments, typically in... more
 
Income Property
"Income property" refers to real estate purchased for the purpose of generating... more
 
Income Statement
"Income statement" is an accounting statement showing revenues, expenses, and net income of a... more
 
Income Tax
"Income tax" is a tax based on income earned by an individual or company. The taxpayer typically... more
 
Income Verification
The term "income verification" refers to the process whereby a lender confirms the income of a... more
 
Incorporation
"Incorporation" is a legal process through which a corporation is created. Usually, a corporation... more
 
Indemnification
Indemnification is the legal right to be reimbursed pursuant to an indemnity for damage or loss... more
 
Indemnity
"Indemnity" is a contract whereby one party agrees to compensate a second party for any damages or... more
 
Indenture
An "indenture" is a legal document setting forth the specifics of a bond issuance, and setting... more
 
Independent Contractor Agreement
An "independent contractor agreement" is a contract between two parties where the "contractor"... more
 
Index Fund
An "index fund" is a mutual fund that is designed to match the returns of a particular stock market... more
 
Index Option
An "index option" refers to call and put option contracts traded on an underlying index, such as... more
 
Individual Retirement Account
An "individual retirement account" or "IRA" is a federally sanctioned retirement account for... more
 
Inflation
"Inflation" refers to a general increase in the prices of goods and services. Over time, inflation... more
 
Inflation Bonds
"Inflation bonds" or "I-Bonds" are U.S. Treasury savings bonds indexed to try to take account of... more
 
Inheritance
"Inheritance" refers to the passing of assets and liabilities to heirs or persons identified in a... more
 
Inheritance Tax
An "inheritance tax" is a tax based on the value of property in an estate of a deceased individual.... more
 
Initial Public Offering
An "initial public offering" or "IPO" is the process of a private company first selling its stock... more
 
Insider Information
The term "insider information" refers to relevant material information about a publicly traded... more
 
Insider Trading
"Insider trading" is the buying or selling of a security by a person (e.g., an officer, director,... more
 
Insolvency
"Insolvency" describes a financial condition experienced by a person or business when assets no... more
 
Installment Account
An "installment account" is an account that has a set regular payment, typically every month. Auto... more
 
Installment Debt
An "installment debt" is a debt that has a set regular payment, typically every month. Auto loans... more
 
Installment Sale
An "installment sale" is a transaction in which the sale price is paid in installments. The term... more
 
Instinet
"Instinet" is a stock exchange allowing members to display bid and offer quotes for stocks, and to... more
 
Institutional Fund
An "institutional fund" is a type of mutual fund catering primarily to institutional investors,... more
 
Institutional Investor
An "institutional investor" is a financial institution such as a mutual fund, bank, insurance... more
 
Institutional Shares
"Institutional shares" refer to a class mutual fund shares that are available to large... more
 
Insurance
"Insurance" protects against loss or damage, the insured makes periodic payments to an insurer, and... more
 
Insurance Agent
An "insurance agent" is a person who is authorized by an insurance company to sell... more
 
Insurance Broker
An "insurance broker" is a professional broker who represents the interest of the buyer in... more
 
Insurance Claim
An "insurance claim" is a claim for reimbursement of a loss or damage pursuant to the coverage... more
 
Insurance Policy
An "insurance policy" is a contract providing for coverage of loss or damage to person or property,... more
 
Insurance Premium
An "insurance premium" is the payment made by an insured under the terms of an insurance... more
 
Insured
An "insured" is the person(s) or property covered by an insurance... more
 
Inter-Vivos Trust
An "inter vivos trust" is a trust that an individual establishes while he or she is alive, enabling... more
 
Interest
"Interest" is the price paid for borrowing money. For example, a 5% annual interest rate on a $1000... more
 
Interest Deduction
"Interest deduction" is an interest expense that is allowed as a tax deduction for tax purposes.... more
 
Interest Only Mortgage
An "interest only mortgage" is a real estate loan in which only the interest is payable at regular... more
 
Interest Rate
An "interest rate" is the amount of interest charged, usually characterized as a percentage of the... more
 
Interest Rate Cap
An "interest rate cap" is an interest rate ceiling in a loan where the interest rate can not exceed... more
 
Interest Rate Options
"Interest rate options" are option contracts that are based upon underlying debt instruments. ... more
 
Interest-Only Loan
An "interest-only loan" is a loan in which payment of principal is deferred until maturity, and the... more
 
Interest-Only Mortgage
An "interest-only mortgage" is a mortgage in which payment of principal is deferred until maturity,... more
 
Internal Rate of Return
The "internal rate of return" or "IRR" is the discount rate often used in capital budgeting to... more
 
Internal Revenue Code
The "Internal Revenue Code" contains the various statutes that make up the U.S. federal... more
 
Internal Revenue Service
The "Internal Revenue Service" or "IRS" is the US Treasury Department agency responsible for... more
 
International Bond
"International bonds" are bonds that are issued by an entity or company in a country where they are... more
 
International Depository Receipt
An "international depository receipt" or "IDR" is a certificate issued by a bank as evidence of... more
 
International Fund
An "international fund" is a mutual fund investing in securities of countries other than the United... more
 
International Monetary Market
The "International Monetary Market" or "IMM" is a centralized market in Chicago where currency,... more
 
Intestacy
"Intestacy" is the situation where a person dies without having made a valid will. Intestacy law... more
 
Intestate
"Intestate" refers to dying without a will or without a... more
 
Intraday
The term "intraday" means "within the day." The term is often used when stating the high and low... more
 
Intrastate Offering
An "intrastate offering" is an offering of securities solely to residents of one state, structured... more
 
Inverted Yield Curve
An "inverted yield curve" is the unusual situation where long term debt instruments have a lower... more
 
Investment Bank
An "investment bank" is a financial services company that gives advice to companies, assists them... more
 
Investment Banker
An "investment banker" is a person with an investment bank that gives advice to companies, assists... more
 
Investment Company
An "investment company" is a company (corporation, LLC, trust, or partnership) that is primarily... more
 
Investment Company Act of 1940
The "Investment Company Act of 1940" is the federal law that regulates investment companies... more
 
Investment Grade Bonds
"Investment grade bonds" are high-quality bonds rated as investment grade by one of the credit... more
 
Investment Income
"Investment income" is income that is generated from securities and other investments, such as... more
 
Investment Real Estate
"Investment real estate" is real property held for investment, as opposed to property used for... more
 
Investor
An "investor" is someone who commits capital in order to gain financial returns from the... more
 
Investors Rights Agreement
An "investor rights agreement" is a contract typically used by venture capitalists in connection... more
 
Invoice
An "invoice" is a bill or list of charges for services rendered or products sold. For example, an... more
 
IPO
An "initial public offering" or "IPO" is the process of a private company first selling its stock... more
 
IPO Lock-Up
An "IPO lock-up" is a contract with certain investors in a company in connection with its IPO. A... more
 
IRA
An "individual retirement account" or "IRA" is a federally sanctioned retirement account for... more
 
IRR
The "internal rate of return" or "IRR" is the discount rate often used in capital budgeting to... more
 
Irrevocable Beneficiary
The term "irrevocable beneficiary" often refers to a beneficiary whose rights to the proceeds of an... more
 
Irrevocable Letter of Credit
An "irrevocable letter of credit" is a letter of credit that can not be cancelled by the issuing... more
 
Irrevocable Proxy
An "irrevocable proxy" is an authorization to a person to act on behalf of another party with... more
 
Irrevocable Trust
An "irrevocable trust' is a trust that can not be amended or... more
 
IRS
"IRS" stands for the Internal Revenue Service, the US Treasury Department agency responsible for... more
 
ISO
An "incentive stock option" or "ISO" is a stock option that meets certain requirements specified by... more
 
Issuer
An "issuer" is an entity, such as a corporation, municipality, or government, that issues or... more
 
Itemized Deduction
"Itemized deductions" are amounts paid by an individual taxpayer for personal and certain business... more
 
Joint Account
A "joint account" is an account shared by two or more... more
 
Joint and Several
The term "joint and several" generally refers to a liability which allows a creditor to sue any one... more
 
Joint Tax Return
A "joint tax return" is a tax return filed by two people, typically... more
 
Joint Tenants in Common
"Joint tenants in common" refers to the ownership of property by two or more individuals. A... more
 
Joint Tenants with Right of Survivorship
A "joint tenancy with right of survivorship" or "JTWROS" refers to the ownership of property by two... more
 
Joint Venture
A "joint venture" is an arrangement by two or more parties to pursue a particular business... more
 
JTWROS
A "joint tenancy with right of survivorship" or "JTWROS" refers to the ownership of property by two... more
 
Judgment
A "judgment", in the legal context, is the decision of a court upon the respective rights and... more
 
Jumbo CD
A "jumbo CD" is a certificate of deposit with a minimum denomination of $100,000. Jumbo CDs are... more
 
Jumbo Loan
A "jumbo loan" or "jumbo mortgage" is a mortgage loan that exceeds the limits set by Fannie Mae... more
 
Jumbo Mortgage
A "jumbo mortgage" or "jumbo loan" is a mortgage loan that exceeds the limits set by Fannie Mae... more
 
Junior Mortgage
A "junior mortgage" is a mortgage loan whose security interest is subordinate to a senior... more
 
Junior Security
A "junior security" is a security that has a lower-priority claim on a company's assets and... more
 
Junk Bond
A "junk bond" or "high yield bond" is a bond with a speculative investment rating from the credit... more
 
Keogh Plan
A "Keogh Plan" is a type of pension account in which taxes are deferred, for those who are... more
 
Key Man Insurance
"Key man insurance" is a life insurance policy purchased by a company to insure the life of a key... more
 
Know Your Customer
The "know your customer" concept applies to securities brokers, in that an adviser who recommends... more
 
Land
"Land" is real property, which consists of the surface of the earth, including the sub surface and... more
 
Land Value
"Land value" refers to the actual value of the land on which a property sits. This does not include... more
 
Landlord
A "landlord" is an owner of real property who rents all or a portion of the property to a tenant.... more
 
Large Cap Stocks
"Large cap stocks" typically refers to stocks of publicly traded companies who have a market... more
 
Last In, First Out
"Last in, first out" or "LIFO" is an accounting method based on the premise that the newest... more
 
Last Trading Day
The term "last trading day" refers to the last day that an options or futures or contract may trade... more
 
Late Charge
A "late charge" is a fee charged by a lender or creditor when a payment owed is made after the due... more
 
Late Fee
A "late fee" is a fee charged by a lender or creditor when a payment owed is made after the due... more
 
Late Payment
A "late payment" is a payment that is made after the date that it was due. Late charges are... more
 
LBO
A "leveraged buy out" or "LBO" is a transaction typically involving a public corporation being... more
 
Lease
A "lease" is a contract providing for the rental of property for a specified term with designated... more
 
Leaseback
A "leaseback" is a business transaction whereby an asset is simultaneously sold and leased back to... more
 
Leasehold Improvement
"Leasehold improvements" are expenses incurred for the permanent improvements to rented facilities.... more
 
Lender
A "lender" is an individual, entity, or financial institution, who provides the funds for a loan.... more
 
Lessee
A "lessee" is a person or entity that leases real or personal property from the owner of that... more
 
Lessor
A "lessor" is an owner of real or personal property who leases that property to a user of the... more
 
Letter of Credit
A "letter of credit" is a form of guarantee of payment by a bank or financial institution. Letters... more
 
Letter of Intent
A "letter of intent" is a document where two or more parties set forth an indication of interest in... more
 
Letter Stock
The term "letter stock" refers to stock that has not been registered with the Securities and... more
 
Leverage
"Leverage" is the process of incurring debt in order to continue or expand the scope of a business.... more
 
Leveraged Buy Out
A "leveraged buy out" or "LBO" is a transaction typically involving a public corporation being... more
 
Leveraged Lease
A "leveraged lease" is a lease where the lessor purchases the asset with part of the consideration... more
 
Liability
"Liability" generally refers to a legal responsibility, obligation, or debt. Examples of... more
 
LIBOR
The "London Interbank Offered Rate" or "LIBOR" is the rate of interest that major international... more
 
License Agreement
A "license agreement" gives a person or entity the right to use someone else's assets. A... more
 
Lien
A "lien" is a security interest in an asset or property, protecting a lender or creditor's loan... more
 
Life Insurance
"Life insurance" refers to a contract policy that pays a monetary sum to the insured person's... more
 
LIFO
"Last in, first out" or "LIFO" is an accounting method based on the premise that the newest... more
 
Like-Kind Property
"Like-kind property" is a term used in the context of tax deferred exchanges of real property under... more
 
Limit Order
A "limit order" refers to an order to buy a stock at or below a designated price, or to sell a... more
 
Limited Liability Company
A "limited liability company" or "LLC" is a form of business organization authorized by state law.... more
 
Limited Partnership
A "limited partnership" is an entity formed under state law that includes one or more general... more
 
Limited Partnership Agreement
A "limited partnership agreement" is a contract among the general and limited partners of a limited... more
 
Limited Warranty
A "limited warranty" is a contractual promise by a manufacturer or seller of goods or services,... more
 
Line of Credit
A "line of credit" is a pre-established loan agreement between a bank or financial institution and... more
 
Liquid Yield Option Note
A "Liquid Yield Option Note" or "LYON" is a zero-coupon bond issued by a corporation, which also... more
 
Liquidate
"Liquidate" refers to the process of selling securities or assets to obtain cash. For example, one... more
 
Liquidation
The term "liquidation" in connection with finance and business often has two meanings: (1)... more
 
Liquidation Rights
"Liquidation rights" refers to the rights of a security holder in the event of a liquidation of a... more
 
Listed Option
A "listed option" is a put or call option that is traded on a national options exchange. Listed... more
 
Listed Security
A "listed security" is a stock or bond that has been authorized for trading on a stock exchange.... more
 
Listed Stock
A "listed stock" is a stock that has been approved and listed for trading on a stock... more
 
Listing Broker
"Listing broker" refers to the real estate broker who is responsible for the listing of a property... more
 
Listing Requirements
"Listing requirements" are the rules of eligibility that a corporation must meet before its stock... more
 
Living Trust
A "living trust" is a trust that an individual establishes while he or she is alive, enabling the... more
 
Living Will
A "living will" is a legal document setting forth the kind of medical care a person wants or... more
 
LLC
A "limited liability company" or "LLC" is a form of business organization authorized by state law.... more
 
Load Fund
A "load fund" is a mutual fund that charges a fee for either purchase or sales of its... more
 
Load Mutual Fund
A "load mutual fund" is a mutual fund that charges a fee for either purchase or sales of its... more
 
Loan
A "loan" is an arrangement where a sum of money is borrowed from one party (the "lender") with a... more
 
Loan Commitment
A "loan commitment" is a written promise by a lender to make a loan under specified terms and... more
 
Loan Officer
A "loan officer" is a representative of a lending institution who is empowered to act on behalf of... more
 
Loan Origination Fee
A "loan origination fee" is a fee charged by a lender for making a loan. Such a fee is often... more
 
Loan Processing Fee
A "loan processing fee" is a fee charged by some lenders in order to process a loan... more
 
Loan Syndication
A "loan syndication" refers to a group of banks or other lenders coming together to make one large... more
 
Loan to Value Ratio
A "loan to value ratio" is the ratio of money borrowed on a property to the property's fair... more
 
Lock-in
A "lock-in" refers to a commitment from a lender guaranteeing g a specified interest rate for a... more
 
Lock-Up Agreement
A "lock-up agreement" is a contractual commitment between the underwriters and insiders of a... more
 
LOI
An "LOI" or "letter of intent" is a document where two or more parties set forth an indication of... more
 
London Interbank Offered Rate
The "London Interbank Offered Rate" or "LIBOR" is the rate of interest that major international... more
 
Long Bond
A "long bond" generally refers to a 30 year U.S.... more
 
Long Position
A "long position" is an investment in a security where the investor owns the security and expects... more
 
Long Term Capital Gain
"Long capital term gain" is the profit on the sale of the capital asset (such as stocks or real... more
 
Long Term Gain
"Long term gain" is the profit on the sale of the capital asset (such as stocks or real estate)... more
 
Low Documentation Loan
A "low documentation loan" is a mortgage that requires only minimal verification of income and... more
 
Lump-Sum Distribution
A "lump sum distribution" is a distribution from a 401(k) retirement plan that includes the entire... more
 
LYON
A "Liquid Yield Option Note" or "LYON" is a zero-coupon bond issued by a corporation, which also... more
 
Make a Market
"Make a market," in reference to securities, is where securities broker-dealers quote prices at... more
 
Managed Account
A "managed account" is a securities portfolio managed by a professional investment... more
 
Managed Money
The term "managed money" refers to the situation where an investor uses an investment professional... more
 
Management Buyout
A "management buyout" or "MBO" is a leveraged buyout (LBO) in which the acquirer is led by the... more
 
Managing Underwriter
A "managing underwriter" is the leading investment banking firm in an underwriting group and acts... more
 
Margin Account
A "margin account" is a securities brokerage account that can hold deposited cash and securities,... more
 
Margin Call
A "margin call" is the demand by a securities brokerage firm to a customer for additional funds or... more
 
Marginal Tax Rate
The "marginal tax rate" is the additional tax a taxpayer would pay if he or she earned one more... more
 
Marital Deduction
The "marital deduction" is the deduction allowed by the Internal Revenue Code for estate and gift... more
 
Marital Property
"Marital property" generally refers to property earned or acquired by either spouse during the... more
 
Mark to Market
The term "mark to market" refers to a procedure to adjust the carrying value of a security or... more
 
Market Capitalization
"Market capitalization" is the total value of all corporate shares outstanding. For public... more
 
Marketable Securities
"Marketable securities" are stocks, bonds or other securities that can be quickly converted to cash... more
 
Master Limited Partnership
A "master limited partnership" or "MLP" is a publicly traded limited partnership, such as oil and... more
 
MasterCard
"MasterCard" refers to MasterCard Incorporated, an organization owned by the public and financial... more
 
Maturity
In reference to finance transactions, "maturity" is the date on which a loan or bond becomes due... more
 
Maturity Date
"Maturity date" typically refers to the date the principal amount of a bond, loan or other debt... more
 
MBO
A "management buyout" or "MBO" is a leveraged buyout (LBO) in which the acquirer is led by the... more
 
Medicaid
"Medicaid" is a program sponsored by the federal government and administered by states that is... more
 
Medicare
"Medicare" refers to a program of health insurance for persons over 65, some disabled people under... more
 
Medium Term Note
A "medium term note" or "MTN" is a debt obligation with a typical term of 5-10... more
 
Merc, The
"The Merc" is shorthand for the Chicago Mercantile... more
 
Merger
A "merger" is the combination of one company with another, typically through an acquisition. In a... more
 
Merger Account
A "merger account" is an account where stocks can be purchased for cash and a loan. The loan is... more
 
Merger Agreement
A "merger agreement" is a contract whereby one company merges its business with another company.... more
 
Micro Cap Stock
"Micro cap stock" typically refers to the stock issued by companies having a market capitalization... more
 
Mid-Cap Stock
A "mid-cap stock" typically refers to the stock issued by companies whose market capitalization is... more
 
Middle Office
In a financial services company, the middle office typically includes risk management, calculation... more
 
Midnight Dividend
A midnight dividend is a dividend paid just before a company goes public, typically funded by debt,... more
 
Mileage Allowance
"Mileage allowance" typically refers to the fixed mileage limit under a car lease. If the limit is... more
 
MLP
A "master limited partnership" or "MLP" is a publicly traded limited partnership, such as oil and... more
 
MLS
The "MLS" or "Multiple Listing Service" is a service created and run by real estate professionals... more
 
Momentum Investing
"Momentum investing" refers to the strategy of buying stocks that have a strong upward price... more
 
Money Management
"Money management" refers to the process of budgeting, saving, or investing of the cash of an... more
 
Money Manager
A "money manager" is a professional who is responsible for a portfolio of securities. In return for... more
 
Money Market Account
A "money market account" is an account (such as a bank account or brokerage account) that pays... more
 
Money Market Fund
A "money market fund" is a mutual fund that invests only in short term securities, such as... more
 
Money Order
A "money order" is a financial instrument backed by a deposit of cash, and which can easily be... more
 
Moodys Rating
"Moody's ratings" are opinions of the credit rating agency Moody's Corporation of the... more
 
Mortgage
A "mortgage" is a loan secured by specified real property, and which requires the borrower to make... more
 
Mortgage Banker
A "mortgage banker" is an entity or individual that originates mortgage loans and sells them to... more
 
Mortgage Broker
A "mortgage broker" is an entity or individual that places mortgage loans with lenders, but does... more
 
Mortgage Interest Deduction
The "mortgage interest deduction" is the federal tax deduction for interest paid on a mortgage used... more
 
Mortgage Interest Expense
The phrase "mortgage interest expense" refers to interest paid on a mortgage loan that is fully... more
 
Mortgage Life Insurance
"Mortgage life insurance" is a life insurance policy that pays off the remaining balance of the... more
 
Mortgage Rate
A "mortgage rate" is the interest rate on a... more
 
Mortgage Refinance
A "mortgage refinance" is a new mortgage loan used by the borrower to pay off an old mortgage loan.... more
 
Mortgage REIT
A "mortgage REIT" is a real estate investment trust that invests in loans secured by real estate,... more
 
Mortgage-Backed Securities
"Mortgage backed securities" are securities backed by a pool of mortgage... more
 
Mortgagee
The "mortgagee" refers to the lender of funds in connection with a mortgage loan. The borrower is... more
 
Mortgagor
A "mortgagor" is the borrower of a loan secured by real... more
 
MTN
An "MTN" or "medium term note" is a debt obligation with a typical term of 5-10... more
 
Multiple Listing Service
The "Multiple Listing Service" or "MLS" is a service created and run by real estate professionals... more
 
Municipal Bond
"Municipal bonds" are bonds issued by state or local governmental units. Interest on the bonds... more
 
Municipal Bond Fund
A "municipal bond fund" is a mutual fund that invests primarily in bonds and debt securities issued... more
 
Municipal Bond Insurance
"Municipal bond insurance" is an insurance policy which guarantees payment on municipal bonds in... more
 
Mutual Fund
A "mutual fund" is an investment pool managed by a professional investment company. A mutual fund... more
 
Naked Call
A "naked call" is the writing (selling) of a call option without ownership of the underlying... more
 
Naked Option
A "naked option" is the writing (selling) of a call or put option without ownership of the... more
 
Naked Position
The term "naked position" refers to a securities investment that is not hedged from market risk. ... more
 
Naked Put
A "naked put" is the writing (selling) of a put option without ownership of the underlying... more
 
NASD
The "National Association of Securities Dealers" or the "NASD" is a nonprofit, self-regulatory... more
 
NASDAQ
"NASDAQ" or the "National Association of Securities Dealers Automatic Quotation System" is an... more
 
NASDAQ 100 Index
The "NASDAQ 100 Index" is an index that tracks the 100 largest stocks listed by the Nasdaq... more
 
NASDAQ Composite Index
The "NASDAQ Composite Index" is a market-capitalization weighted index of the more than 5,000... more
 
NASDAQ National Market
The "NASDAQ National Market" is a market that consists of over ,3000 companies that have an... more
 
National Association of Securities Dealers
The "National Association of Securities Dealers" or the "NASD" is a nonprofit, self-regulatory... more
 
National Debt
The term "national debt" refers to the debt owed by the U.S. government, including T-bills, bonds,... more
 
NAV
"NAV" stands for "net asset value." In connection with reference to mutual funds, NAV is typically... more
 
Negative Amortization
"Negative amortization" refers to a loan repayment schedule where the outstanding principal balance... more
 
Negative Cash Flow
"Negative cash flow" refers to a situation where a business is spending more than it is... more
 
Net Asset Value
"Net Asset Value" or "NAV", in connection with reference to mutual funds, is typically defined to... more
 
Net Income
"Net income" typically refers to a company's revenues minus its expenses. Net income is also... more
 
Net Lease
A "net lease" is a lease under which the lessee is responsible for all property taxes, insurance,... more
 
Net Loss
The term "net loss" refers to the financial situation where the total expenses of an enterprise... more
 
Net Operating Loss
A "net operating loss" or "NOL" is a tax term for the excess of business expenses over income in a... more
 
New York Stock Exchange
The "New York Stock Exchange" or "NYSE" is one of the major stock markets in the United States. The... more
 
Nikkei
"Nikkei" refers to the main index for the Tokyo stock... more
 
No Documentation Loan
A "no documentation loan" is a mortgage where the applicant provides minimal information and... more
 
No-Load Fund
A "no-load fund" is a mutual fund that does not charge a sales commission, although it can charge... more
 
No-Par Value Stock
"No par value stock" is stock without a designation of par value in the company's charter. ... more
 
NOL
A "net operating loss" or "NOL" is a tax term for the excess of business expenses over income in a... more
 
Non-Competition Agreement
A "non-competition agreement" is a contract between one party who agrees not to compete with the... more
 
Non-Disclosure Agreement
A "non-disclosure agreement" is a contract that contemplates one party disclosing proprietary or... more
 
Non-Qualified Stock Option
A "non-qualified stock option" or "NSO" is a stock option which does not qualify for the special... more
 
Nontaxable Dividends
The term "nontaxable dividends" refers to dividends that are not taxed to the recipient. An... more
 
Not Sufficient Funds Check
A "not sufficient funds check" or "NSF" is a check drawn on a financial institution with... more
 
NSF
A "NSF" is a check drawn on a financial institution with insufficient funds in an account to cover... more
 
NSO
A "non-qualified stock option" or "NSO" is a stock option which does not qualify for the special... more
 
NYSE
The "New York Stock Exchange" or "NYSE" is one of the major stock markets in the United States. The... more
 
NYSE Composite Index
The "NYSE Composite Index" is a market value weighted index that tracks all of the common stocks on... more
 
Obligor
An "obligor" is the person or entity required to perform on a debt or obligation. In loan... more
 
OCC
The "Options Clearing Corporation" or "OCC" is the world's largest equity derivatives clearing... more
 
Odd Lot
An "odd lot" is a trading order for less than 100 shares of... more
 
Off-Balance Sheet Financing
"Off balance sheet financing" refers to a form of financing which is structured so as to not... more
 
Offering
The term "offering" refers to the offering of an issue of securities or bonds presented for sale. ... more
 
Offering Circular
An "offering circular" is the document substantially similar to a prospectus used for securities... more
 
Offering Memorandum
An "offering memorandum" is a document setting forth the terms of a private placement securities... more
 
Office Lease
An "office lease" is a legal contract where one party (typically referred to as the "landlord" or... more
 
Official Statement
An "official statement" is a securities document describing the offering of a municipal security,... more
 
OID
An "original issue discount" or "OID" refers to a bond or other debt security that is issued at... more
 
Online Broker
An "online broker" is a stockbroker who has an online system for customers to buy and sell... more
 
Online Contract
An "online contract" is a contract that governs the use of a Web site by viewers of the site. The... more
 
Open End Fund
An "open end fund" or "open end mutual fund" is the most common type of mutual fund. Investors may... more
 
Open End Mutual Fund
An "open end mutual fund" or "open end fund" is the most common type of mutual fund. Investors may... more
 
Opening Bell
An "opening bell" is a bell that rings to signify the day's start of trading on a stock... more
 
Operating Lease
An "operating lease" is a lease that is not a capital or finance lease. An operating lease usually... more
 
Operating Margin
"Operating margin" is the ratio of operating income divided by sales revenue, expressed as a... more
 
Option
An "option" gives the holder of the option the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell an... more
 
Option Agreement
An "option agreement" is a contract giving the option holder the right to acquire an asset on... more
 
Options Backdating
"Options backdating" refers to the granting an option that is dated prior to the date that the... more
 
Options Clearing Corporation
The "Options Clearing Corporation" or "OCC" is the world's largest equity derivatives clearing... more
 
Options Contract
The term "options contract" refers to one option contract representing 100 shares of the underlying... more
 
Ordinary and Necessary Expenses
The phrase "ordinary and necessary expenses" is a tax term relating to what is allowable as a tax... more
 
Ordinary Annuity
An "ordinary annuity" refers to a series of equal payments over a fixed number of... more
 
Ordinary Income
"Ordinary income" is income subject to taxation at full or ordinary rates rather than at favorable... more
 
Ordinary Loss
An "ordinary loss" refers to a loss for tax purposes that is not a capital loss and that is fully... more
 
Original Issue Discount
An "original issue discount" or "OID" refers to a bond or other debt security that is issued at... more
 
Origination
"Origination" in the loan context refers to a process whereby the lender or its agent handles the... more
 
Origination Fee
The term "origination fee" refers to a fee charged by a lender in connection with making a loan. ... more
 
Origination Points
The term "origination points" refers to a fee charged by a lender in connection with making a loan.... more
 
OTC
The term "OTC" or "over-the-counter" refers to a market in which security transactions are... more
 
OTC Bulletin Board
The "OTC Bulletin Board" or "Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board" refers to an electronic trading... more
 
Out of the Money
The phrase "out of the money" refers to either (1) a call option whose exercise price is above the... more
 
Out-of-Pocket Expenses
"Out-of-pocket expenses" refers to direct outlays of cash. Companies will often reimburse... more
 
Outsourcing
The term "outsourcing" refers to the concept of paying an outside company to handle internal... more
 
Outstanding Shares
"Outstanding shares" are shares of a corporation that are issued and held by... more
 
Over-the-Counter
The term "OTC" or "over-the-counter" refers to a market in which security transactions are... more
 
Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board
The "OTC Bulletin Board" or "Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board" refers to an electronic trading... more
 
Overallotment Option
The term "overallotment option" refers to the right of the underwriter in a registered public... more
 
Overbought/Oversold
The terms "overbought" or "oversold generally refer to stocks that are either viewed as priced too... more
 
Overdraft
An "overdraft" is a check written without sufficient funds to back it up. Such a check is also... more
 
Overdraft Protection
"Overdraft protection" is a service that allows a checking account owner to use a savings account... more
 
Owner Financing
"Owner financing" refers to a real estate purchase transaction in which the seller provides all or... more
 
P & L Statement
"P & L statement" generally refers to the profit and loss (or income) statement of a... more
 
P/E Ratio
A "P/E ratio" refers to a corporation's stock price divided by the past annual earnings... more
 
Paid-in Capital
"Paid-in capital" refers to the capital a corporation receives from investors in exchange for the... more
 
Paid-up Capital
"Paid-up capital" refers to the amount of capital contributed by stockholders into a... more
 
Paper Gain
"Paper gain" refers to unrealized gain on securities based on a comparison of current market price... more
 
Paper Loss
"Paper loss" refers to unrealized loss on securities based on a comparison of current market price... more
 
Paper Profit
"Paper profit" refers to unrealized gain on securities based on a comparison of current market... more
 
Par
The term "par" in connection with finance transactions refers to the nominal or face value of a... more
 
Parent Company
A "parent company" refers to a company that can control a majority-owned or 100% owned subsidiary... more
 
Pari-passu
"Pari passu" is a Latin term meaning "equal in all respects". In finance transactions, pari passu... more
 
Partnership
A "partnership" generally refers to a business enterprise between two or more persons who agree to... more
 
Partnership Agreement
A "partnership agreement" is a contract among persons or entities (known as partners) that spells... more
 
Passive Income
"Passive income" for tax purposes means income from business activities in which the taxpayer does... more
 
Passive Loss
"Passive loss" refers to loss from activities in which a taxpayer does not materially participate,... more
 
Patent Assignment
A "patent assignment" is a contract transferring (assigning) ownership of a patent to a third... more
 
Pay in Kind Security
A "pay-in-kind security" is a security (such as bonds or preferred stock) in which the interest or... more
 
Payday Loan
A "payday loan" typically refers to a small, short-term loan without a credit check that is... more
 
Paying Agent
A "paying agent" is an agent who makes principal and interest payments to holders of bonds on... more
 
Payment in Kind Bonds
"Payment in kind bonds" refer to bonds whose interest is paid through the issuance of additional... more
 
Payroll Tax
A "payroll tax" is tax in which employers are required to withhold from employees' paychecks.... more
 
PBGC
The "PBGC" or "Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation" is the federal body functioning under the... more
 
Penny Stock
Generally, a "penny stock" refers to a stock traded over-the-counter at less than $1 a... more
 
Pension
A "pension" is a sum of money paid regularly usually as a retirement... more
 
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
The "PBGC" or "Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation" is the federal body functioning under the... more
 
Pension Fund
A "pension fund" is a fund set up to pay pension benefits of a company's workers after... more
 
Pension Plan
A "pension plan" refers to a plan established and maintained by an employer or union to provide for... more
 
Periodic Rate
The "periodic rate" generally refers to the monthly effective interest rate on a credit card. For... more
 
Personal Finance
The term "personal finance" generally refers to financial planning for an individual or family.... more
 
Personal Guarantee
A "personal guarantee" is contract whereby an individual or entity takes responsibility for payment... more
 
Personal Income
The term "personal income" refers to income received by individuals, from all sources including... more
 
Personal Property
"Personal property" refers to property that is not real property. Examples of personal property... more
 
Philanthropist
A "philanthropist" is an individual who practices philanthropy, i.e., the practice of donating... more
 
Philanthropy
"Philanthropy" is the practice of donating personal wealth to charitable or similar... more
 
Phishing
"Phishing" is a form of Internet or email fraud that aims to steal valuable user and financial... more
 
Piggy Back Registration
A "piggy back registration" is where a holder of shares of a corporation is included in a public... more
 
PIK
"PIK" stands for "pay-in-kind" and refers to interest or dividends on bonds or preferred stock,... more
 
PIK Dividends
"PIK dividends" generally refer to dividends paid on preferred stock that are paid through the... more
 
Pink Sheets
"Pink sheets" refers to an electronic quotation system that displays quotes from dealers for a... more
 
PMI
"Private mortgage insurance" or "PMI" is an insurance policy protecting the holder of a mortgage... more
 
Points
"Points" in connection with mortgage loans refers to the loan origination fee charged by lenders. A... more
 
Poison Pill
A "poison pill" often refers to provision in a corporation's articles of incorporation or... more
 
Policyholder
"Policyholder" typically refers to the holder of an insurance... more
 
Ponzi Schemes
"Ponzi schemes" or "pyramid schemes" are illegal fraudulent schemes in which people are recruited... more
 
Portfolio
A "portfolio" is a collection of assets held by an investor, such as bonds, stocks, options, and... more
 
Portfolio Income
"Portfolio income" refers to income from such sources as dividends, interest, capital gains, and... more
 
Portfolio Management
"Portfolio management" is the process of managing money and investments, with the goal of... more
 
Portfolio Manager
A "portfolio manager" is a professional who actively manages an investment portfolio (stocks,... more
 
Power of Attorney
A "power of attorney" is a written legal document that authorizes a person to act as an agent on... more
 
Pre-Approval Letter
A "pre-approval letter" is a document from a mortgage lender that indicates a potential home buyer... more
 
Pre-Emptive Right
A "pre-emptive right" is the right of a shareholder to purchase shares in future offerings of the... more
 
Pre-Incorporation Agreement
A "pre-incorporation agreement" is a contract between two or more parties that sets forth that a... more
 
Predatory Lending
"Predatory lending" refers to lending practices that are unfair and abusive. For example, a lender... more
 
Preferred Stock
"Preferred stock" is a security of a corporation that gives the holder a claim, prior to the common... more
 
Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement
A "preferred stock purchase agreement" is a contract where an investor purchases preferred stock in... more
 
Preliminary Prospectus
A "preliminary prospectus" is a preliminary document used in connection with a proposed public... more
 
Premium
The term "premium" can have multiple meaning, including (1) the payments made under an insurance... more
 
Prenuptial Agreement
A "prenuptial agreement" is a contract entered into by two people prior to marriage. Prenuptial... more
 
Prepackaged Bankruptcy
A "prepackaged bankruptcy" is where a company and its creditors agree to a plan of reorganization... more
 
Prepaid Interest
"Prepaid interest" is interest paid in advance of its due date. Prepaid interest is charged in... more
 
Prepayment
"Prepayment" refers to the payment of all or a portion of a loan before its maturity date. Some... more
 
Prepayment Penalty
A "prepayment penalty" is a fee imposed by a lender in the event a loan is paid off before its... more
 
Prepayment Risk
"Prepayment risk" refers to the risk a borrower will prepay a mortgage or other loan (typically... more
 
Press Release
A "press release" is a public relations announcement by a company distributed to newspapers and... more
 
Price-Earnings Ratio
A "P/E ratio" refers to a corporation's stock price divided by past ("trailing") annual... more
 
Prime Rate
The "prime rate" is typically defined to mean the interest rate at which financial institutions... more
 
Principal Residence
A "principal residence" is the dwelling that a person lives in most of the time during... more
 
Privacy Policy
A "privacy policy" is a Web site's official statement on the type of user information it... more
 
Private Foundation
A "private foundation" is a nonprofit organization established and supported primarily by private... more
 
Private Investment Fund
A "private investment fund" is a fund primarily engaged in investing in securities, but, where the... more
 
Private Letter Ruling
A "private letter ruling" is a ruling by the Internal Revenue Service in response to a written... more
 
Private Mortgage Insurance
"Private mortgage insurance" or "PMI" is an insurance policy protecting the holder of a mortgage... more
 
Private Placement
A "private placement" is the offer and sale of securities to a limited group of investors without... more
 
Private Placement Memorandum
A "private placement memorandum" is a document that lays out the details of a securities investment... more
 
Probate
"Probate" is the legal process where a deceased's estate is administered and the assets from... more
 
Profit Warning
A "profit warning" is a statement by a publicly held company that its earnings will not be meeting... more
 
Promissory Note
A "promissory note" is a contract obligating one party to pay or repay a specified dollar amount to... more
 
Property
"Property" refers to assets of some kind, typically broken down into real property (homes,... more
 
Property Insurance
"Property insurance" is insurance that provides financial protection against the loss of, or damage... more
 
Property Management Agreement
A "property management agreement" is a contract between an owner of real estate and a person or... more
 
Property Tax
"Property tax" is a tax imposed by a state, city or municipality on real property based on its... more
 
Prospectus
A "prospectus" is a formal disclosure document used to sell securities, describing the issuer of... more
 
Proxy
A "proxy" is a written authorization from a stockholder that empowers someone to vote on the... more
 
Proxy Materials
"Proxy materials" are the documents used by corporations to solicit votes for corporate decisions,... more
 
Proxy Statement
A "proxy statement" is a document prepared by a corporation for dissemination to its stockholders,... more
 
Public Company
A "public company" is a company whose shares are traded on a stock exchange or in the... more
 
Public Offering
A "public offering" refers to the offering of securities by a company or organization to the public... more
 
Public Offering Price
A "public offering price" is the price offered to the public for new securities to be issued in a... more
 
Put
A "put," in the financial context, is an option giving the holder the right to sell an underlying... more
 
Put Bond
A "put bond" is a bond that gives the holder the right to require the issuer of the bond to redeem... more
 
Put Option
A "put option" is a financial instrument that gives the holder right to sell a given stock (or... more
 
Pyramid Scheme
"Pyramid schemes" or "Ponzi schemes" are illegal fraudulent schemes in which people are recruited... more
 
Qualified Retirement Plan
A "qualified retirement plan" is a retirement plan established by employers for their employees... more
 
Qualified Savings Bond
The term "Qualified Savings Bond" refers to a Series EE United States savings bond issued after... more
 
Quantitative Analysis
The term "quantitative analysis" refers to a form of securities analysis that looks at a... more
 
Quarterly Earnings Report
A "quarterly earnings report" is a quarterly filing made to the SEC by public companies to report... more
 
Quick Assets
"Quick assets" is a term used in connection with a company's financial statements, referring to... more
 
Quid Pro Quo
The phrase "quid pro quo" is a Latin term, meaning "this for that" or "something for something." It... more
 
Quiet Period
The "quiet period" is the period of time where a company is in registration with the Securities and... more
 
Quitclaim Deed
A "quitclaim deed" is a deed which conveys only the present interest a person or entity may have in... more
 
Quorum
The term "quorum" refers to the percentage of voting shares required to be represented in person or... more
 
Quoted Price
The "quoted price" is the price at which the last trade transaction of a particular security took... more
 
R & D
"Research & development" or "R & D" is a phrase that relates to activities (and related expenses)... more
 
Rabbi Trust
A "Rabbi Trust" is a method of deferring compensation for executive employees. The Rabbi Trust is... more
 
Ratchet Clause
See "Anti-Dilution... more
 
Rate Lock
A "rate lock" is an agreement between a lender and a real estate loan applicant guaranteeing a... more
 
Rate of Exchange
The "rate of exchange" is the price at which the money of one country can be converted into the... more
 
Rating
A "rating" is a grade - usually denoted by a letter or series of letters such as AAA or BBB -... more
 
Real Estate
"Real estate" is typically a piece of land and whatever building that occupies... more
 
Real Estate Agent
A "real estate agent" is a salesperson licensed to aid buyers and sellers in the home sales... more
 
Real Estate Appraisal
A "real estate appraisal" is an estimate of the fair market value of a piece of real property,... more
 
Real Estate Broker
A "real estate broker" is a professional intermediary who assists in the purchase or sale of real... more
 
Real Estate Investment Trust
A "real estate investment trust" or "REIT" is a corporation, association or trust that uses the... more
 
Real Estate Limited Partnership
A "real estate limited partnership" is a limited partnership formed to invest and hold real estate.... more
 
Realized Gain
"Realized gain" is the gain resulting from the sale of an asset minus the adjusted basis of the... more
 
Realized Loss
"Realized loss" is the loss resulting from the sale of the assets at a price lower than the... more
 
Realtor
A "realtor" is a real estate broker who is affiliated with the National Associate of Realtors and... more
 
Reassessment
A "reassessment" is the process of revising or updating the estimated value of real estate for... more
 
Receivables
"Receivables" or "accounts receivables" refer to a company's accounting entry reflecting money... more
 
Receivership
"Receivership" is the legal status of a corporation, partnership or individual over whom a receiver... more
 
Recognized Loss
A "recognized loss" is a loss incurred by a taxpayer for income tax... more
 
Record Date
A "record date" is the date established by a company for the purpose of determining the... more
 
Record holder
A "record holder" is the individual or entity listed on a corporation's stock ledger as a... more
 
Recording
The term "recording" refers to the filing in a public office of the details of a legal document... more
 
Recruiter Agreement
A "recruiter agreement" is a contract where a company hires an employment recruiting firm to... more
 
Red Herring
A "red herring" is a preliminary prospectus for a securities offering filed with the Securities and... more
 
Redeemable
"Redeemable" refers to securities such as preferred stock or bonds that may be repurchased from the... more
 
Redemption
"Redemption" refers to the purchase of securities by an issuing company from the holder, at a time... more
 
Redemption Fee
A "redemption fee" is a fee charged by some mutual funds when an investor sells shares of the... more
 
Redlining
"Redlining" is the practice by financial institutions or insurance companies of denying or... more
 
Refinancing
A "refinancing" is a substitution of new debt financing to replace... more
 
Refunding
In connection with bonds, a "refunding" means the sale of a new issue of bonds, the proceeds of... more
 
Reg T
"Regulation T" or "Reg T" is a regulation established by the Federal Reserve Board which covers the... more
 
Registration Right
"Registration rights" are rights granted to investors in a company, to require the company to... more
 
Registration Statement
A "registration statement" is a legal document filed with the SEC in connection with a... more
 
Regressive Tax
A "regressive tax" is a tax in which the poor pay a larger percentage of income than the rich. For... more
 
Regulated Investment Company
A "regulated investment company" is a company that uses its capital to invest in securities or... more
 
Regulation D
"Regulation D" is a federal regulation promulgated pursuant to the federal Securities Act of 1933,... more
 
Regulation T
"Regulation T" or "Reg T" is a regulation established by the Federal Reserve Board which covers the... more
 
Reinsurance
"Reinsurance" often refers to an agreement whereby an insurance company transfers part or all of... more
 
REIT
A "real estate investment trust" or "REIT" is a corporation, association or trust that uses the... more
 
Rent Control
"Rent control" is a municipal or city regulation restricting the amount of rent that can be charged... more
 
Rental Agreement
A "rental agreement" is a contract under which the owner of a property (the "lessor" or "landlord")... more
 
Rental Application
A "rental application" is a form to be filled out by a prospective tenant in order for the landlord... more
 
Renters Insurance
"Renter's insurance" is an insurance policy that covers a renter's personal possessions and... more
 
Repo
A "repurchase agreement" or "repo" is a financial transaction in which a dealer in effect borrows... more
 
Repossession
"Repossession" is defined to mean the legal process by which a borrower in default on a secured... more
 
Repurchase Agreement
A "repurchase agreement" or "repo" is a financial transaction in which a dealer in effect borrows... more
 
Research & Development
"Research & development" or "R & D" is a phrase that relates to activities (and related expenses)... more
 
Residential Rental Agreement
A "residential rental agreement" is a contract under which the owner of an asset (the "lessor" or... more
 
Residential Rental Application
A "residential rental application" is a form to be filled out by a prospective tenant in order for... more
 
Resolution
A "resolution" is a formal decision or action by a Board of Directors or stockholders of a... more
 
RESPA
"RESPA" stands for the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, a federal consumer protection law... more
 
Restricted Stock
The term "restricted stock" typically refers to stock that is granted by an employer to compensate... more
 
Retained Earnings
"Retained earnings" are earnings of a corporation that are retained by the corporation for... more
 
Return on Investment
"Return on investment" or "ROI" is the profit or loss resulting from an investment transaction or a... more
 
Reverse Mortgage
A "reverse mortgage" is a loan usually used by older borrowers as a way of converting the equity in... more
 
Reverse Stock Split
A "reverse stock split" is a proportionate decrease in the number of shares of a corporation... more
 
Revocable Proxy
A "revocable proxy" is an authorization to a person to act on behalf of another party, which may be... more
 
Revocable Trust
A "revocable trust" is a trust in which any of its provisions can be changed, or the trust itself... more
 
Revolving Account
A "revolving account" is an account which requires at least a specified minimum payment each month... more
 
Rewards Card
A "rewards card" is a type of credit card that rewards the user of the card based on the amount of... more
 
Right of First Refusal
A "right of first refusal" is a provision in a contract stating that a party must be given an... more
 
Right of First Refusal Agreement
A "right of first refusal agreement" is a contract stating that a party must be given an... more
 
Rights Agreement
A "rights agreement" or "poison pill" is an anti-takeover mechanism that gives the shareholders of... more
 
Rights Offering
A "rights offering" is an offering by a corporation to its existing stockholders of additional... more
 
Risk Capital
The term "risk capital" refers to money that investors can allocate to investing in high risk... more
 
Risk Score
A "risk score" is formula generated number that rank-orders consumers according to the likelihood... more
 
Risk Tolerance
The term "risk tolerance" refers to an investor's willingness to accept declines in the value... more
 
Road Show
A "road show" is a presentation by an issuer of stock or other securities to prospective investors,... more
 
ROI
"ROI" stands for "return on investment" and is the profit or loss resulting from an investment... more
 
Rollover
The term "rollover" refers to the nontaxable transfer of assets from one qualified retirement plan... more
 
Roth IRA
A "Roth IRA" is a type of Individual Retirement Account (IRA) authorized by U.S. federal law. ... more
 
Rule 144
"Rule 144" refers to an SEC rule that sets forth the conditions allowing the sale of unregistered... more
 
Rule 144A
"Rule 144A" refers to an SEC rule that sets forth the conditions allowing the sale and trading of... more
 
Russell 2000 Index
The "Russell 2000 Index" is a market capitalization weighted index measuring the performance of the... more
 
Russell 3000 Index
The "Russell 3000 Index" is an index measuring the performance of the 3,000 largest U.S. companies... more
 
S Corporation
An "S Corporation" is a special type of corporation under the Internal Revenue Code that allows the... more
 
S&P 500
"S&P 500" or the "Standard & Poor's 500 Index" is an index of widely held domestic stocks, and... more
 
S-3 Filing
An "S-3 filing" is a filing by a company with the SEC, and is one of the most simplified... more
 
S-8 Filing
An "S-8 filing" is a SEC filing that is required for public companies that wish to issue options or... more
 
Sale and Leaseback
"Sale and leaseback" refers to the sale of an asset with a simultaneous lease back to the original... more
 
Sales Representative Agreement
A "sales representative agreement" is a contract by a company offering products for sale and an... more
 
Sales Tax
"Sales tax" is a percentage tax owed on the purchase price of goods and services. The percentage... more
 
Santa Claus Rally
The "Santa Claus rally" is a seasonal rise in the price of a stock during the last week between... more
 
Sarbanes-Oxley Act
The "Sarbanes-Oxley Act" is a federal law passed in 2002 in response to accounting and financial... more
 
Savings
"Savings" refers to funds that are set aside for investment and future use, such as for emergencies... more
 
Savings Account
A "savings account" is an account that is maintained with a financial institution such as a bank by... more
 
Savings Bond
A "savings bond" is a U.S. government issued bond, issued in face value denominations that range... more
 
SBA
"SBA" is the abbreviation for Small Business Administration. It is a U.S. federal government... more
 
Scienter
"Scienter" is the mental state of mind of the intent to deceive or defraud. It is sometimes... more
 
Scrip
"Scrip" often refer to a temporary document that represents a part of a share of stock. This is... more
 
Seal
A "seal" is a mark or impression printed on, embossed upon, or affixed to an agreement or other... more
 
SEC
The "Securities and Exchange Commission" or the "SEC" is the federal agency that regulates the... more
 
Second Mortgage
A "second mortgage" refers to a mortgage whose lien is subordinate to that of a first or "senior"... more
 
Secondary Market
The "secondary market" is the market in which securities are traded after they are initially... more
 
Secondary Offering
A "secondary offering" is a sale of securities held by existing shareholders of a company.... more
 
Section 1031
"Section 1031" refers to a section of the Internal Revenue Code allowing the deferral of capital... more
 
Section 1031 Exchange
A "Section 1031 Exchange" is a type of disposition of real estate described in Section 1031 of the... more
 
Sector Fund
A "sector fund" is a mutual fund that concentrates on a relatively narrow market sector. These are... more
 
Secured Credit Card
A "secured credit card" is a type of credit card that is linked to a bank account. This allows the... more
 
Secured Debt
A "secured debt" is an obligation backed up by a security interest in specified collateral. If the... more
 
Securities Act of 1933
The "Securities Act of 1933" is a federal law requiring the registration of the offer and sale of... more
 
Securities Analyst
A "securities analyst" is an employee that works for a brokerage firm who evaluates the investment... more
 
Securities and Exchange Commission
The "Securities and Exchange Commission" or "SEC" is an independent regulatory agency with the... more
 
Securities Lending
"Securities lending" is a lending of securities, typically to cover a... more
 
Security
A "security" is a financial instrument giving the owner a right to a percentage ownership in a... more
 
Seed Capital
"Seed capital" typically refers to the early or initial funding of a start-up... more
 
Self-Directed IRA
A "self-directed IRA" is an individual retirement account that permits the account owner to make... more
 
Self-Employment Tax
"Self-employment tax" is a Social Security and Medicare tax primarily for individuals who work for... more
 
Senior Debt
"Senior debt" is debt that has a repayment priority over any... more
 
Senior Security
"Senior Security" is a security that must be repaid before other security holders receive any... more
 
SEP Plan
A "SEP Plan" or "Simplified Employee Pension Plan" is a type of retirement plan for self-employed... more
 
Separate Account
A "separate account" is a pooled investment fund created by an insurance company but segregated... more
 
Series 3
"Series 3" refers to a security license that entitles the holder to sell future contracts as well... more
 
Series 4
"Series 4" refers to a securities license that entitles the holder to supervise options sales... more
 
Series A Preferred Stock
"Series A preferred stock" usually refers to the first round of preferred stock issued by a company... more
 
Series EE Bond
A "Series EE bond" is a United States government savings bond that has the properties of a zero... more
 
Series HH Bond
A "Series HH bond" is a bond issued by the United States government and is only available in... more
 
Settlement Agreement
A "settlement agreement" is a contract between two or more parties that have a dispute, where the... more
 
Settlement Date
"Settlement date" is the date in which an executed securities order must be settled by the transfer... more
 
Severance Pay
"Severance pay" is the compensation that an employer gives to an employee in connection with the... more
 
Sexual Harassment Policy
A "sexual harassment policy" is a written policy adopted by a company stating that illegal sexual... more
 
Share Repurchase
A "share repurchase" is a purchase of a company's own shares in the open market. This is... more
 
Shareholder Activist
A "shareholder activist" is an individual or a group that takes action in order to try to influence... more
 
Shareholder Resolutions
The term "shareholder resolutions" refers to actions or approvals taken by the shareholders of a... more
 
Shareholders Equity
"Shareholders' equity" is the total assets of the company minus the total liabilities in that... more
 
Shares
A "share" is a unit of ownership interest that is provided to a... more
 
Shelf Offering
A "shelf offering" is a form of registration of a new securities offering with the SEC, with the... more
 
Shelf Registration
A "shelf registration" is a procedure in which a company files a registration statement with the... more
 
Short
"Short" or "Short Position" in a stock means that the investor has either sold the borrowed shares... more
 
Short Covering
"Short covering" is the buying of stock to return stock that was previously borrowed in order to... more
 
Short Interest
"Short interest" is the total number of shares of a company that have been sold short and not yet... more
 
Short Sale
A "short sale" is the borrowing of a security from a stockbroker and selling it, with the... more
 
Short Sale Against the Box
"Short sale against the box" is an act of short selling securities that are already owned. When... more
 
Short Selling
"Short selling" is the act of selling a security that the seller does not own. Those that are short... more
 
Short Squeeze
"Short squeeze" is a situation in which the price of a stock rises and investors who sold the stock... more
 
Short-Swing Profit Rule
"Short-swing profit rule" is a Securities and Exchange Commission regulation that requires the... more
 
SIMPLE 401(k)Plan
A "SIMPLE 401(k) Plan" is a retirement plan sponsored by employers which is simple and less costly... more
 
Simplified Employee Pension
"Simplified Employee Pension" (SEP) is a type of retirement plan that the employer can establish.... more
 
Simplified Employee Pension Plan
"Simplified Employee Pension Plan" (SEP Plan) is a retirement program that is much like an... more
 
Sinking Fund
"Sinking fund" is money that is set aside regularly by a company in order to redeem its bonds or... more
 
Six Sigma
"Six Sigma" refers to a process and methodology that utilizes data and statistical analysis to... more
 
Small Business Administration
"Small Business Administration" or "SBA" is a federal government department that provides services... more
 
Small Cap
"Small cap" refers to company stocks that have a relatively small market capitalization, generally... more
 
Social Security
"Social Security" is a federal benefits program that was developed in 1935 by United States. It... more
 
Social Security Number
"SSN" or "Social Security Number" is a nine digit number that is issued by the federal government.... more
 
Software
"Software" is coded instructions or programs that allow a computer to produce useful work. ... more
 
Software License Agreement
When you purchase a software product (such as Windows or Quicken), you do not actually get... more
 
Sole Proprietorship
"Sole proprietorship" is an unincorporated business organization that has only one... more
 
SPDRs
"SPDRs" or "Spiders" are shares or units that are issued by a trust that owns stocks that are in... more
 
Special Power of Attorney
A "power of attorney" is a written legal document that authorizes a person to act as an agent on... more
 
Specialist
A "specialist" is a member of a stock exchange that acts as the market maker in order to facilitate... more
 
Speculative Stock
A "speculative stock" is a stock that is an extremely high risk but also has potential for a high... more
 
Spiders
"SPDRs" or "Spiders" are shares or units that are issued by a trust that owns stocks that are in... more
 
Split Adjusted Price
A "split adjusted price" is the price per share of a stock after it has been... more
 
Spot Market
A "spot market" is any market in which goods or currencies are bought and sold "on the spot." ... more
 
Spot Price
The "spot price" is the current price of goods or commodities for immediate... more
 
SSN
"SSN" or "Social Security Number" is a nine digit number that is issued by the federal government.... more
 
Staffing Agency Agreement
A "Staffing Agency Agreement" is a contract between a company and a staffing agency, where the... more
 
Standard & Poors 500 Index
"Standard & Poor's 500 Index" or "S&P 500" is a market-value weighted index. The companies that... more
 
Standard Deduction
"Standard deduction" refers to an IRS-determined amount that a taxpayer is allowed to reduce income... more
 
Standby Commitment
A "standby commitment" is a commitment by a financial institution to loan money up to a specified... more
 
Startup
"Startup" refers to a new or early stage... more
 
Step-Up in Basis
"Step-up in Basis" often refers to the change in value of an asset inherited upon an owner's... more
 
Stock
"Stock" is an instrument that represents an ownership position in a corporation. The percentage... more
 
Stock Bonus Plan
"Stock Bonus Plan" is an incentive program. It rewards employee performance with a grant of stock... more
 
Stock Buyback
A "stock buyback" is a purchase of a company's own shares in the open market. This is usually... more
 
Stock Certificate
A "stock certificate" is a legal document evidencing ownership of shares of a corporation. The... more
 
Stock Dividend
"Stock dividend" is payment of a corporate dividend in the form of additional shares of stock... more
 
Stock Ledger
A "stock ledger" is a corporate record that lists the owners of shares of stock in a corporation.... more
 
Stock Market
"Stock market" refers to a market used for trading equities such as the New York Stock Exchange.... more
 
Stock Market Bubble
A "stock market bubble" refers to an economic exuberance (or extreme excitement) taking place in... more
 
Stock Option
"Stock option" is an instrument giving the holder the right to purchase shares of stock at a... more
 
Stock Power
"Stock power" is a power of attorney form that is used to transfer stock from one owner to another.... more
 
Stock Quote
"Stock quote" is a price of a stock that a party is willing to either sell or buy a certain number... more
 
Stock Record
"Stock record" is the bookkeeping a securities brokerage company keeps all of its securities held... more
 
Stock Split
A "stock split" is a split of existing shares of stock into a different number of shares of stock.... more
 
Stock Subscription Agreement
A "stock subscription agreement" is a contract to invest in shares of stock of a company by the... more
 
Stock Symbol
"Stock symbol" is a trading symbol given to a security. AMEX and NYSE stocks have three or less... more
 
Stockbroker
"Stockbroker" is a broker who deals in securities transactions (stocks, bonds, options) on behalf... more
 
Stockholder Voting Agreement
A "stockholder voting Aareement" is a leal contract among stockholders of a corporation relating to... more
 
Stop Order
A "stop order" is an order to sell or buy securities at the market when a certain price (the "stop... more
 
Stop-Limit Order
"Stop-Limit Order" is an order to buy a designated amount of securities at a specified price or... more
 
Stop-Loss Order
A "stop-loss order" is an order to sell stock if the stock drops to a certain level. A stop-loss... more
 
Straight Life Annuity
"Straight life annuity" is an insurance product that makes periodic payments to the annuitant (the... more
 
Straight Line Depreciation
"Straight line depreciation" is a method of calculating the depreciation of an asset, which assumes... more
 
Strategic Alliance
A "strategic alliance" is an agreement between two are more parties to jointly pursue an agreed... more
 
Street Expectation
"Street expectation" often refers to the estimated earnings that are expected to be made by a... more
 
Street Name
"Street name" is the term given to securities held in the name of a broker or other nominee. Shares... more
 
Structured Note
"Structured note" is a debt security with special features, such as interest payments pegged to an... more
 
Subchapter S Corporation
"Subchapter S Corporation" is a special type of corporation under the Internal Revenue Code that... more
 
Sublease
A "sublease" refers to a contract where a tenant under a lease transfers the right to occupy the... more
 
Subordinated Debt
"Subordinated debt" refers to a loan that ranks junior to other loans for purposes of repayment. In... more
 
Subordination Clause
A "subordination clause" usually refers to a provision in a mortgage or loan agreement which allows... more
 
Subprime Borrower
A "subprime borrower" often refers to a borrower who does not meet the qualifications for standard... more
 
Subprime Loan
A "subprime loan" often refers to a loan made to subprime borrowers (a borrower whose credit rating... more
 
Subscription Agreement
A "subscription agreement" is a contract to invest in a particular company by the subscriber. The... more
 
Subsidy
A "subsidy" is a tax credit or payment by a government to producers or exporters of goods to... more
 
Surtax
"Surtax" is a tax that is in addition to the normal tax paid by corporations or... more
 
Swap Agreement
"Swap" is an agreement between two parties that provides for the exchange of something to the other... more
 
Sweep Account
"Sweep account" is a deposit account at a financial institution where at the end of each business... more
 
Syndicate
A "syndicate" typically refers to a group of banking firms which jointly underwrite a new stock,... more
 
Syndicated Loan
"Syndicated loan" is a loan where a group of banks work together in order to provide the funds to a... more
 
T-Bill
A "Treasury bill" or "T-bill" is a short-term debt obligation backed by the U.S. government.... more
 
T-Bond
A "Treasury bond" or "T-bond" is a debt obligation issued by the U.S. government, having a maturity... more
 
Tag-Along Rights
"Tag-Along Rights" often refer to rights established by a contract that afford protection to... more
 
Takeover
A "takeover" occurs when one company (the "acquirer") purchases or acquires another company (the... more
 
Takeover Target
"Takeover target" often refers to the company that is the focus of a proposed "takeover," or... more
 
Tangible Net Worth
"Net worth" is determined by total assets minus total liabilities. "Tangible net worth" takes the... more
 
Tax Audit
A "tax audit" occurs when a taxing agency examines a company or individual's tax returns to... more
 
Tax Basis
The "tax basis" is the price paid for the acquisition of a security or an... more
 
Tax Bracket
A "tax bracket" is an income range that establishes the amount of income tax to be levied against... more
 
Tax Court
"Tax court" is a federal court that hears taxpayers' appeals from decisions of the Internal... more
 
Tax Credit
A "tax credit" is a direct dollar-for-dollar reduction of tax liability. The tax credit can be... more
 
Tax Deductible
An item or expense is "tax deductible" if it may legitimately be subtracted from gross income.... more
 
Tax Deduction
A "tax deduction" is an expense that a taxpayer is allowed to deduct from gross income, and thus... more
 
Tax Deferred
"Tax deferred" income is income where payment of any tax is postponed until a later date or the... more
 
Tax Equivalent Yield
"Tax equivalent yield" is a method of measuring the return on tax exempt investments in comparison... more
 
Tax Evasion
"Tax evasion" is a crime that occurs when illegal methods, such as failure to report income or... more
 
Tax Haven
A "tax haven" often refers to a country that offers favorable tax treatment to foreign companies or... more
 
Tax Holiday
A "tax holiday" often refers to the temporary elimination or reduction of a tax. Governments... more
 
Tax Liability
"Tax liability" refers to the amount of tax that must be paid, taking into consideration income,... more
 
Tax Lien
A "tax lien" is a legal claim filed by a state or federal taxing agency against the assets of a... more
 
Tax Loss Carry Forward
A "tax loss carry forward" is a tax benefit that allows an individual, corporation, or a fund to... more
 
Tax Rate
The "tax rate" is the percent of income, or the percent of the value of goods or services, that... more
 
Tax Refund
A "tax refund" is the amount of money owed to a taxpayer when the taxpayer's total tax payments... more
 
Tax Return
A "tax return" is the government form that a taxpayer completes and submits to the taxing agency to... more
 
Tax Schedule
A "tax schedule" is a document upon which taxpayers itemize deductions, show dividend and interest... more
 
Tax Shelter
"Tax shelter" often refers to an investment that legally reduces the amount of tax due, whether by... more
 
Tax Swap
In general, a "tax swap" is the sale of a security that has lost value since purchase, along with... more
 
Tax Table
A "tax table" is a chart that shows the amount of tax attributable to a certain income range. Tax... more
 
Tax Treaty
A "tax treaty" is an agreement between two countries that is intended to address situations that... more
 
Tax-Exempt
"Tax exempt" is a general term that refers to a financial transaction that is not subject to... more
 
Tax-Exempt Bond
A "tax-exempt bond" refers to a type of bond, typically issued by a municipal, county, or state... more
 
Tax-Exempt Commercial Paper
"Commercial paper" refers to short-term, unsecured, and negotiable notes sold by one company to... more
 
Tax-Exempt Interest
"Tax-Exempt Interest" generally refers to interest income that is exempt from federal income tax.... more
 
Tax-Sheltered Annuity
A "tax-sheltered annuity" is a retirement plan for employees of tax-exempt organizations, public... more
 
Taxable Bond
A "taxable bond" is a type of debt security where any return earned by the investor will be subject... more
 
Taxable Equivalent Yield
The "taxable equivalent yield" is the return from a higher-paying investment where taxes must be... more
 
Taxable Estate
Under federal law, the "taxable estate" is determined by subtracting certain statutory deductions... more
 
Taxable Event
A "taxable event" is any transaction or occurrence that has tax consequences. Examples include the... more
 
Taxable Gain
"Taxable gain" refers to the portion of a sale of capital assets that is subject to taxation. When... more
 
Taxable Income
"Taxable income" is the amount of income subject to income taxes. "Income" includes both earned... more
 
Taxes
"Taxes" refers to the financial obligation placed on a business or individual by a governmental... more
 
Teaser Rate
A "teaser rate" is a low initial interest rate on an adjustable rate mortgage... more
 
Tenancy-in-Common
A "tenancy-in-common" is a form of ownership for two or more owners. The individual interests do... more
 
Tender Offer
A "tender offer" usually occurs within the context of a takeover bid in the form of a public... more
 
Term Life Insurance
"Term life insurance" refers to a type of life insurance policy that provides protection for a... more
 
Term Loan
A "term loan" is a bank loan for a specified amount that typically matures in between 1 and 10... more
 
Term Sheet
A "term sheet" is the document that summarizes key provisions of a proposed transaction, such as a... more
 
Terms of Use Agreement
A "terms of use agreement" is a contract that governs the use of a Web site by viewers of the site.... more
 
Testator
A "testator" is someone who has made a legally valid will or testament before death. The will... more
 
TEV
"Total Enterprise Value" or "TEV" is one of several ways to measure the complete value of companies... more
 
Three-Day Notice
A "three-day notice" often refers to a notice by a landlord that a tenant's tenancy will be... more
 
TIC
A "tenancy-in-common" or "TIC" is a form of ownership for two or more owners. The individual... more
 
Ticker Symbol
"Ticker symbols" are the letters or characters used as a code to identify publicly traded stocks or... more
 
Ticker Tape
In the early 20th century, there were machines that transmitted stock information via telegraph... more
 
TIGRs
"Treasury Investment Growth Receipt" or "TIGRs" are a form of bond backed by the federal... more
 
Time Value
"Time value" can be used in several different contexts. (1) In general, "time value" describes the... more
 
Tippee
A "tippee" refers to the recipient of material non-public information about a public company, from... more
 
Tipping
"Tipping" in the securities context refers to a person providing material non-public information... more
 
Tippor
A "tippor" refers to a person who provides material non-public information about a public company... more
 
TIPS
"TIPS" or "Treasury Inflation Protected Securities" are a special type of Treasury note that offers... more
 
Title
A "title" can be (1) the document that shows legal ownership of real or personal property or (2) a... more
 
Title Search
A "title search" is the process of examining in detail the various public records related to... more
 
TMWX
The "TMWX" is an index composed of nearly 6,700 publicly-traded companies that are all... more
 
Total Enterprise Value
"Total Enterprise Value" or "TEV" is a way to measure the complete value of companies with varying... more
 
Touting
"Touting" refers to the act of a firm or individual promoting a company or security without... more
 
Trade Name
A "trade name" is the name under which a company conducts business, or by which its business,... more
 
Trade Name License Agreement
A "trade name license agreement" spells out the terms allowing the use of the trade name of another... more
 
Trademark
A "trademark" is a word, phrase, symbol or design (or any combination thereof) used to distinguish... more
 
Trademark Assignment
A "trademark assignment" is a contract transferring (assigning) ownership of a trademark to a third... more
 
Trading Account
A "trading account" is similar in operation to a traditional deposit account. It is held at a... more
 
Transfer
In general, a "transfer" occurs when money or its equivalent is moved from one place to another. A... more
 
Transfer Agent
A "transfer agent" can be a trust company, bank, or similar financial institution engaged by a... more
 
TransUnion
TransUnion is one of the three major credit reporting agencies in the United States. See... more
 
Travelers Check
"Traveler's checks" are an internationally recognized and redeemable draft that can be... more
 
Treasury Bill
A "Treasury bill" or "T-bill" is a short-term debt obligation backed by the U.S. government.... more
 
Treasury Bond
A "Treasury bond" or "T-bond" is a debt obligation issued by the U.S. government, having a maturity... more
 
Treasury Index
The "Treasury Index" is an index based on auctions of U.S. Treasury bills, or on the U.S.... more
 
Treasury Inflation Protected Securities
"TIPS" or "Treasury Inflation Protected Securities" are a special type of Treasury note that offers... more
 
Treasury Investment Growth Receipts
"Treasury Investment Growth Receipt" or "TIGRs" are a form of bond backed by the federal... more
 
Treasury Note
"Treasury notes" are debt obligations of the U.S. Treasury with maturities of more than one year,... more
 
Treasury Stock
"Treasury stock" (or "treasury shares") refers to stock that has been repurchased by the issuing... more
 
Treasury Stock Method
"Treasury stock method" refers to the method used to calculate diluted earnings per share when... more
 
Treasury STRIPS
"STRIPS" stands for "Separate Trading of Registered Interest and Principal Securities." "Treasury... more
 
Triple Net Lease
A "triple net lease" is a commercial lease where, in addition to the agreed upon rent payment, the... more
 
Triple Witching Hour
"Triple witching hour" refers to the hour before the stock market closes on the third Friday of... more
 
Trust
A "trust" describes a fiduciary relationship in which a person or institution, called a trustee,... more
 
Trust Deed
In general, a "trust deed" is a formal document that outlines the terms of a trust agreement,... more
 
Trust Indenture Act of 1939
The "Trust Indenture Act of 1939" is a federal law passed in 1939 to protect the interests of... more
 
Trustee in Bankruptcy
A "trustee in bankruptcy" is a person who is usually appointed by a U.S. District court or by... more
 
Truth-in-Lending
The term "Truth in Lending" is derived from the federal Truth in Lending Act, see 15 USC Section... more
 
U.S. Department of Commerce
The "U.S. Department of Commerce" is the U.S. Cabinet department which encourages and promotes the... more
 
U.S. Department of Treasury
The "U.S. Department of Treasury" is the U.S. Cabinet Department that performs several functions:... more
 
U.S. Savings Bonds
"U.S. Savings Bond" is a bond with a fixed interest rate over a specific period of time.... more
 
U.S. Treasury
The "U.S. Treasury" is responsible for issuing all bills, notes and bonds of the United States. The... more
 
U.S. Treasury Bill
A "U.S. Treasury bill" or "T-bill" is a short-term debt obligation backed by the U.S. government.... more
 
U.S. Treasury Bond
A "U.S. Treasury bond" or "T-bond" is a debt obligation issued by the U.S. government, having a... more
 
U.S. Treasury Note
"U.S. Treasury notes" are debt obligations of the U.S. Treasury with maturities of more than one... more
 
UGMA
The "Uniform Gifts to Minors Act" or "UGMA" allows minors to own various properties including... more
 
Umbrella Liability Insurance
"Umbrella liability insurance" refers to a form of insurance policy that provides specific... more
 
Unconscionable
"Unconscionable" refers to something unreasonable or outrageous. Courts typically refuse to... more
 
Underpayment Penalty
An "underpayment penalty" is a tax penalty issued to an individual who does not pay enough of his... more
 
Underwriter
An "underwriter" often refers to an investment banking firm that purchases a securities issue from... more
 
Underwriting
"Underwriting" in the securities context refers to the process of an underwritten offering and... more
 
Underwriting Spread
An "underwriting spread" is the income that is earned from an underwriting of a specific security... more
 
Uniform Gifts to Minors Act
The "Uniform Gifts to Minors Act" or "UGMA" allows minors to own various properties including... more
 
Uniform Transfers to Minors Act
The "UTMA" or "Uniform Transfers to Minors Act" is an extension to the Uniform Gifts to Minors Act... more
 
Universal Life Insurance
"Universal life insurance" is a flexible insurance offering in which low-cost term life insurance... more
 
Unlisted Trading Privileges
"Unlisted trading privileges" includes specific rights that allow a broker the ability to trade an... more
 
Unsecured
"Unsecured" is when no guarantee of payment or satisfaction is given for a loan, and no collateral... more
 
Unsecured Debt
"Unsecured debt" is a debt obligation that is not secured or... more
 
Unsecured Loan
An "unsecured loan" is a loan that is not secured or... more
 
Uptick
The term "closing tick" means the number of stocks on the New York Stock Exchange which closed... more
 
Usury
"Usury" is the charging of interest on a loan or debt obligation in excess of the limit allowed by... more
 
UTMA
The "UTMA" or "Uniform Transfers to Minors Act" is an extension to the Uniform Gifts to Minors Act... more
 
Value Fund
A "value fund" often refers to a mutual fund that primarily invests in stocks deemed to be... more
 
Value Investing
"Value investing" refers to the investing in stocks that are deemed to be undervalued in the... more
 
Variable Annuity
"Variable annuities" include investment contracts where the issuer pays a specific amount based on... more
 
Variable Cost
"Variable cost" refers to a cost that tends to vary directly and proportionally with the changes in... more
 
Variable Interest Rate
"Variable interest rates" are rates on loans or bonds that adjust from time to time. The... more
 
Variable Rate Loan
"Variable rate loans" often refer to loans made with fluctuating interest rates that are originally... more
 
Vendor Financing
"Vendor financing" refers to a seller of goods extending credit to allow a customer to purchase the... more
 
Venture Capital
"Venture capital" refers to the financing provided by investors to start up and emerging companies... more
 
Venture Capital Funds
"Venture capital funds" refer to funds which pool and manage money from investors seeking private... more
 
Venture Capital Term Sheet
A "venture capital term sheet" is typically a proposed summary of terms by which a prospective... more
 
Venture Capitalist
A "venture capitalist" refers to an investor in start up and emerging companies with perceived high... more
 
Voting Trust
"Voting trusts" are legal trusts that combine the voting power of several shareholders. The legal... more
 
Voting Trust Agreement
A "voting trust agreement" is a contract among shareholders establishing a voting trust, including... more
 
W-4 Form
A "W-4 form" is a form completed by an employee to indicate their exemptions or status for the... more
 
W-8 Form
A "W-8 form" is a foreign status certificate form to tell a broker, transfer agent or payer that an... more
 
W-9 Form
A "W-9 form" is an employer's request for one's taxpayer identification number. This is... more
 
Waiting Period
A "waiting period" often refers to a specific period of time in which the SEC studies a... more
 
Wall Street
"Wall Street" often refers to the collective financial/investment community including large banks,... more
 
Wall Street Analyst
Also known as a "sell-side analyst", a "Wall Street analyst" works for a securities brokerage firm... more
 
Warrant
A "warrant" often refers to a specific security that gives the holder the right to buy a designated... more
 
Warrant Coverage
"Warrant coverage" refers to a contract between a company and an investor where the company issues... more
 
Warranty Deed
A "warranty deed" is a legal document in which the grantor transfers specified real property and... more
 
Web Linking Agreement
A "Web linking agreement" is a contract between a Web site owner with another Web site owner giving... more
 
Web Site Content License Agreement
In creating a Web site, you may want to include lots of information or advice on the site. Although... more
 
Web Site Development Agreement
A "Web Site development agreement" is a contract with a Web site developer for the development of a... more
 
Whisper Number
A "whisper number" often refers to the unpublished/unofficial earnings per share forecasts that... more
 
Whistle Blower
A "whistle blower" is a person that is aware of fraudulent activities occurring within a government... more
 
Wholly Owned Subsidiary
A "wholly owned subsidiary" is a company whose stock is owned 100% by a parent... more
 
Will
A "will" is a declaration of how an individual wishes to distribute his or her money or property... more
 
Wilshire 5000 Total Market Index
The "TMWX" is an index composed of nearly 6,700 publicly-traded companies that are all... more
 
Windfall Tax
A "windfall tax" is a government levied tax against specific industries whose companies enjoy... more
 
Wire Transfer
A "wire transfer" is the electronic transfer of funds. This allows individuals in different... more
 
Withholding
The term "withholding" refers to the act of deducting a portion of an employee's wages used to... more
 
Withholding Allowance
A "withholding allowance" is determined on an individual's W-4 IRS form. This is used to assist... more
 
Withholding Tax
"Withholding tax" is the portion (federal, state, and local) of an employee's paycheck that an... more
 
Workers Compensation
"Workers compensation" is a monetary compensation to a worker who is injured while working on the... more
 
Working Capital
"Working capital" is the amount of capital or current assets available for use in operating a... more
 
Wrap Account
A "wrap account" is a securities account where the money manager or brokerage firm manages the... more
 
Wrap Fee
A "wrap fee" is the fee for a securities investment program (a "wrap account") that bundles or... more
 
Writ
A "writ" is a legal,document issued by a judge for specific action to occur. A writ is often used... more
 
Write-Down
A "write-down" is the reduction of an asset's recorded value on a balance... more
 
Write-Off
A "write-off" is the expensing of a balance sheet asset that has no future benefits. The worthless... more
 
Year to Date
"Year to date" refers to the period from January 1 to the current date. Companies sometimes use... more
 
Yield
"Yield" is the annual rate of return received on an investment, usually expressed as a percentage. ... more
 
Yield Curve
A "yield curve" is a line that shows specific interest rates during specific dates of bonds that... more
 
Yield Maintenance
"Yield maintenance" often refers to a prepayment penalty built into a loan, that allows a lender... more
 
Yield Pickup
"Yield pickup" is a yield gain that occurs because of the sale of one bond and a purchase of... more
 
Yield Spread
"Yield spread" is the difference between various yields on bonds with different credit quality... more
 
Yield to Maturity
"Yield to maturity" is the rate of return, usually shown in a percentage, which is paid on a fixed... more
 
YTD
"YTD" stands for "year to date," referring to the period from January 1 to the current date. ... more
 
Zero-Coupon Bond
A "zero-coupon bond" refers to a security that doesn't pay interest currently. It is initially... more
 
Zero-Coupon Convertible
A "zero-coupon convertible" is a zero-coupon bond issued by a corporation that can be converted... more
 
Zoning
"Zoning" refers to municipal and government laws based on the control of specific land within a... more
 

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