Investments

Common Stock: Ownership Interest in a Corporation
A comprehensive explanation of Common Stock, its characteristics, associated risks, and benefits in the context of corporate ownership.
Common Stock Equivalent: Convertible Instruments and Potential Dilution
Common stock equivalent refers to securities such as preferred stock, convertible bonds, or warrants that can be converted into common stock, potentially diluting the equity of existing common shareholders.
Common Stock Fund: Investment in Common Stocks
A comprehensive guide to understanding Common Stock Funds, their characteristics, and their role in investment portfolios.
Complex Capital Structure: Financial Structure with Potential for Dilution
A detailed examination of complex capital structures in finance, including the implications of potential dilution, dual presentation of earnings per share, and comprehensive definitions.
Contract Rate: The Financial Agreement's Interest
An in-depth exploration of the contract rate, also known as the face interest rate, defining its relevance in financial agreements.
Conversion Parity: Key Concepts and Application
Conversion Parity is a financial term related to convertible securities and refers to the price at which convertible securities (like bonds or preferred shares) can be converted into common stock.
Conversion Price: Key Value in Convertible Securities
The dollar value at which convertible bonds, debentures, or preferred stock can be converted into common stock; typically announced when the convertible security is initially issued.
Conversion Ratio: Key Concept in Convertible Securities
The Conversion Ratio is a critical financial metric determining how many shares of common stock an investor will receive for each convertible bond or preferred share upon conversion.
Convertibles: Corporate Securities That Are Exchangeable
Convertibles are corporate securities, such as preferred shares or bonds, that can be exchanged for a set number of another form, usually common shares, at a pre-stated price.
Coupon Bond: Bond With Detachable Coupons for Interest Payments
A `coupon bond` is a bond issued with detachable coupons that must be presented to a paying agent or the issuer for semiannual interest payments. It is a type of bearer bond, meaning whoever presents the coupon is entitled to the interest.
Credit Default Swap: Financial Derivatives and Risk Management
A comprehensive overview of Credit Default Swaps (CDS) including their functions, mechanisms, examples, historical context, and implications in financial markets.
Credit Watch: Indication of Company Credit Under Review
Credit Watch is a term used by bond rating agencies to indicate that a company's credit rating is under review and subject to potential change, generally with the implication of a downgrade due to adverse events affecting its income statement or balance sheet.
Cumulative Dividend: Overview and Significance
A comprehensive guide to Cumulative Dividends including their definition, types, examples, historical context, and applicability in finance, particularly associated with Cumulative Preferred Stock.
Cumulative Preferred Stock: Comprehensive Overview
Cumulative Preferred Stock is a type of preferred stock where unpaid dividends accumulate until they are paid out, taking precedence over common stock dividends.
Currency Futures: Contracts in the Futures Markets for Major Currencies
Currency Futures are contracts in the futures markets that are for delivery in a major currency such as U.S. dollars, Euros, or Japanese yen. Corporations that sell products globally can hedge the risk of adverse exchange rate movements with these futures.
Current Yield: Understanding the Actual Rate of Return on Investments
Current yield is a measure of the annual interest income generated by an investment, divided by its current market price. It is particularly applicable to bonds, offering a realistic view of return as opposed to other measures such as the coupon rate or yield to maturity.
Debt Security: Understanding Financial Instruments
Comprehensive overview of debt securities, including definitions, types, examples, historical context, applicability, related terms, FAQs and more.
Deep Discount Bond: Substantially Reduced Market Value Bonds
A Deep Discount Bond is a bond sold for a discount of more than about 25% from its face value. Unlike Original Issue Discount bonds, these were issued at par value of $1,000, but market forces led to a significant decline in market value.
Descriptive Memorandum: Overview and Uses
A descriptive memorandum serves as an offering circular for property or securities when a full prospectus is not required. It provides essential information to potential investors.
DIP: Momentary Weakness in Securities Prices
A detailed explanation of a 'DIP' in securities prices, its relevance in trading strategies, and advice for investors.
Discount Broker: An Introduction
A detailed explanation of a discount broker, including its services, comparison with full-service brokers, and relevance in stock markets and real estate.
Discount Yield: Calculating Yield on Discounted Securities
A comprehensive guide to understand and calculate the discount yield on securities sold at a discount, such as U.S. Treasury bills. Details include the definition, formula, examples, and special considerations.
Discounted Cash Flow: A Fundamental Technique in Financial Analysis
A comprehensive guide to the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) technique used to estimate the present value of future cash flows, encompassing NPV and IRR methods, crucial for capital and securities investment analysis.
Disintermediation: Movement of Savings from Banks to Direct Investments
Disintermediation refers to the process where savings are moved from traditional financial intermediaries such as banks to money market instruments like U.S. Treasury bills and notes.
Distribution: Allocation in Finance and Economics
A detailed exploration of distribution, including its definitions in corporate finance, economics, estate law, mutual funds, and securities trading.
Dividend Payout Ratio: Percentage of Earnings Paid to Shareholders in Cash
The Dividend Payout Ratio is a financial metric that indicates the proportion of earnings a company pays out to its shareholders in the form of cash dividends. This ratio helps investors understand the distribution of corporate profits.
Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP): Automatic Reinvestment of Shareholder Dividends
A Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP) allows shareholders to reinvest their dividends automatically into additional shares of the company's stock, increasing the taxpayer's basis in the shares and necessitating meticulous record-keeping for tax purposes.
Dividend Rollover Plan: Strategy for Collecting Dividends and Potential Profits
A comprehensive guide on the Dividend Rollover Plan, a trading strategy centering on the timing of stock purchases and sales around ex-dividend dates to collect dividends and aim for small trading profits.
Dividend Yield: Annual Percentage of Return on Stock
A comprehensive overview of Dividend Yield, which represents the annual percentage of return earned by an investor on a common or preferred stock.
Dollar Cost Averaging: A Consistent Investment Strategy
Dollar Cost Averaging (DCA) is an investment strategy that involves consistently investing a fixed dollar amount into mutual funds or securities at regular intervals, regardless of asset price.
Donated Stock: Capital Stock Contributed Without Consideration
Delve into the concept of donated stock, fully paid capital stock of a corporation that is contributed without consideration to the same issuing corporation. Explore definitions, types, examples, and implications.
Downside Risk: Estimation of Investment Decline
A comprehensive examination of downside risk, a measure of the potential decline in investment value considering various market factors.
Earnings Report: Financial Performance Insights
Earnings reports provide critical insights into a company's financial performance, detailing revenue, expenses, and profitability. Typically issued monthly or quarterly, these reports are crucial for investors, management, and stakeholders to understand company health and make informed decisions.
Education IRA: Tax-Advantaged Savings for Education
A comprehensive guide to Education IRAs, also known as Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, including structure, benefits, and usage.
Effective Interest Rate (Yield): Comprehensive Analysis
An in-depth look at the Effective Interest Rate (Yield) on debt instruments, its calculation, significance, and comparisons with other yield metrics.
Employee Stock Option: A Comprehensive Guide to Equity Compensation
Employee Stock Options are opportunities for employees to purchase stock in the company they work for, often at a discount from market value. Explore the two main tax categories: statutory (incentive stock options) and nonstatutory.
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP): Encouraging Employee Participation and Ownership
An Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) is a program encouraging employees to purchase stock in their company, allowing them to participate in management and gain ownership. Companies can benefit from tax deductions for ESOP dividends and stock acquisition loan repayments.
Equipment Trust Bond: A Special Type of Collateralized Debt Instrument
An Equipment Trust Bond is a type of secured bond issued primarily by transportation companies to finance the purchase of new equipment, with bondholders having a claim to the equipment in case of default.
Equity Financing: Raising Capital by Selling Ownership Stakes
Equity Financing involves raising money by selling part of the ownership, such as stock in a corporation, in contrast with debt financing.
Equity Kicker: A Strategic Investment Enhancer
An in-depth look at the concept of an equity kicker, a term used in finance to signify a form of compensation provided to lenders, which offers them potential upside in the form of equity in a company.
Equity Yield Rate: The Rate of Return on the Equity Portion of an Investment
The Equity Yield Rate is the rate of return on the equity portion of an investment, considering periodic cash flow and resale proceeds. This metric takes into account the timing and amounts of cash flow after annual debt service, but does not include income taxes.
Equivalent Taxable Yield: Comparison of Taxable and Tax-Free Yields on Bonds
An analysis of the Equivalent Taxable Yield, comparing the taxable yield on a corporate bond and the tax-free yield on a municipal bond, with a focus on implications for investors in different tax brackets.
Eurobond: International Bonds in Foreign Currencies
An in-depth exploration of Eurobonds, bonds denominated in foreign currencies and sold to investors outside their native countries.
Eurocommercial Paper: Short-Term Financial Instruments
Detailed Explanation of Eurocommercial Paper, Including Definition, Types, Historical Context, Applicability, Comparisons, and Frequently Asked Questions.
Eurodollar Bond: International Bond Issuances in Eurodollars
A comprehensive overview of Eurodollar Bonds, international bonds issued in U.S. dollars but outside the United States, focusing on their structure, benefits, historical context, and how they function in the financial markets.
EX-LEGAL Municipal Bond: Definition, Context, and Considerations
An EX-LEGAL municipal bond is a bond that does not have the legal opinion of a bond law firm printed on it. Learn about its implications and considerations.
Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs): An Overview
Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) are securities representing mutual funds that are traded like stocks on exchanges. They offer several advantages, including liquidity and real-time pricing.
Exchange-Traded Notes (ETNs): Structured Debt with Index Performance
Exchange-Traded Notes (ETNs) are senior unsecured debt instruments that track the performance of a specific index, offering a unique investment option with both returns and risks tied to the creditworthiness of the issuer.
Exercise: Utilizing a Contractual Right
Exercise refers to the act of utilizing a right available in a contract. For example, in options, it involves buying the property, and in convertible securities, it means making the exchange.
Exercise Price: The Amount at Which an Option can be Exercised
The exercise price, also known as the strike price, is the fixed price at which the holder of an option can buy (in the case of a call option) or sell (in the case of a put option) the underlying stock, or the price at which a convertible security can be redeemed for shares of stock.
Exit Fee: Definition and Explanation
An exit fee, commonly known as a back-end load, is a fee charged to investors when they withdraw funds from an investment fund.
Extra Dividend: Additional Shareholder Payment
An additional dividend paid to shareholders in addition to the regular dividend, often after a particularly profitable year to reward shareholders and encourage loyalty.
Face Amount of Bond: Definition and Explanation
The face amount of a bond, also known as its face value, is the nominal or par value of the bond, representing the amount paid back to the bondholder at maturity.
Fairness Opinion: Professional Judgment on Financial Transactions
A Fairness Opinion is a professional judgment given by appraisers or investment bankers on the fairness of the price in mergers, takeovers, or leveraged buyouts.
Family of Funds: A Comprehensive Overview
A detailed examination of the concept of a family of funds, highlighting various fund types, their objectives, and the benefits of investing in them.
Federal Agency Security: Debt Instruments Issued by Federal Agencies
Federal Agency Security is a debt instrument issued by an agency of the federal government, such as the Federal National Mortgage Association or the Federal Farm Credit Bank. Though not obligations of the U.S. Treasury, these securities are sponsored by the government and have high credit ratings.
Feeder Fund: An Overview of Its Structure and Function
Feeder Fund is an investment vehicle similar to a Fund of Funds but differs in that it channels investments to a master fund responsible for managing the underlying investments.
Financial Leverage: Understanding Leverage in Finance
Financial leverage involves using borrowed funds to increase the potential return on investment. This article explains types of financial leverage, examples, historical context, its applicability, and more.
Financial Pyramid: Investment Strategy and Structure
An in-depth look at the financial pyramid, a risk structure strategy used by investors to diversify and manage risk across various investment vehicles.
Financial Risk: Understanding Volatility in Investments
A comprehensive guide to financial risk, which encompasses the increased potential for volatility in investment performance caused by the use of borrowed money, commonly known as leverage.
FIT Investment: Comprehensive Guide to FIT Investments
A detailed exploration of FIT Investments, covering various types, historical context, and applicability in modern financial markets.
FIT Situation: Aligning Product Features with Buyer Requirements
A FIT situation occurs when the characteristics of a product, such as an investment, align seamlessly with the specific needs and preferences of a buyer, ensuring an optimal match and enhancing the likelihood of satisfaction and success.
Fixed-Income Investment: Understanding Fixed Returns in Financial Markets
A comprehensive overview of fixed-income investments, including government, corporate, and municipal bonds, and preferred stock, focusing on their fixed rate of return.
Flight to Quality: Understanding Safe-Haven Investments
Flight to Quality refers to the movement of capital from higher-risk investments to safer assets, such as U.S. Treasury bills, during periods of market uncertainty.
Floating an Issue: Introduction and Key Concepts
Comprehensive explanation of 'Floating an Issue', covering underwriting, issuance process, historical context, and related terminology in finance.
Floating Supply Bonds and Stocks: Understanding Market Liquidity
Floating supply refers to the total dollar amount of municipal bonds in the hands of speculators and dealers that is for sale at any particular time, and the number of shares of a stock available for purchase.
Foreign Direct Investment: A Comprehensive Guide
An in-depth look into Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), including its types, significance, historical context, examples, and impact on the economy.
Forfeit Penalty: Understanding Investment Penalty
An in-depth look at the concept of forfeit penalty, particularly within the context of investment penalty, including definitions, examples, and applications in finance.
Formula Investing: An Investment Technique
Formula investing is an investment technique based on a predetermined timing or asset allocation model that eliminates emotional decisions, ensuring structured and disciplined investing.
Forward P/E: Forward Price-Earnings Ratio Meaning
The Forward P/E ratio is a financial metric that measures a company's current share price relative to its expected earnings per share (EPS) over the next 12 months. Often used for valuation comparison among companies, this forward-looking measure offers insights into the growth expectations of a business.
Forward Pricing: Method of Pricing Used by Open-End Investment Companies
Forward Pricing is a method used by open-end investment companies where the share price is determined by the Net Asset Value (NAV) of outstanding shares. It ensures that all incoming buy and sell orders are based on the next net asset valuation of fund shares.
Forward-Looking Statements: Financial Predictions Based on Management's Forecast
Forward-Looking Statements in financial communications provide predictions based on management's expectations, estimates, projections, and assumptions. These statements adhere to safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and include disclaimers that actual future results may differ materially.
Fractional Share: Unit of Stock Less Than One Full Share
A fractional share represents a unit of stock that is less than one full share. It occurs as a result of stock dividends, stock splits, or through direct fractional share purchasing programs.

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