Power ratios are used by media companies to compare their revenue performance to their audience share. A ratio greater than 1.0 indicates a company is generating more revenue than expected, while a ratio below 1.0 indicates lagging sales. The ratio is calculated by dividing company revenue by the product of audience share and overall market […]
Churning is excessive trading on a client account by a broker to generate commissions, which is illegal and unethical. It is considered unauthorized trading and subject to fines and imprisonment. Brokers violating the rules may be temporarily barred from trading. It’s important to contact the broker if you notice suspicious activity and transfer the account […]
Extraordinary items are unexpected gains or losses due to unusual circumstances outside a company’s control. They are recorded in accounting records and appear on profit and loss statements. Examples include natural disasters, embezzlement, and sudden changes in demand. Each event is recorded separately, and details are provided in financial statement notes. Most companies only record […]
An annual general meeting (AGM) is a yearly meeting where companies discuss important business matters outlined in the agenda, including progress reports, financial statements, dividends, and board elections. Attendance is restricted to the board, shareholders, and invited guests, and the president presides over the meeting. The minutes are recorded and distributed for approval, and shareholders […]
Phone swapping, or telephone switching, is the process of transferring funds from one mutual fund or variable annuity to another of a similar type, using the phone as the medium. It allows investors to take advantage of changes in the market and can be done online or via landline. Also known as phone swapping, phone […]
A long hedge is an investment technique that protects against loss by setting an agreed price for a product purchased in the future through a futures contract. It is used to offset potential losses in other investments and is often used by business owners to lock in costs for future contracts. Short hedging is used […]
Trade finance loans help businesses conduct international trade by providing front-end funds for purchased goods awaiting shipment. Lenders examine financial status, credit rating, and collateral before approving loans. The lender may delay sending funds until the goods are in transit or received. A trade finance loan is a type of loan option designed to assist […]
Yankee CDs are low-risk investment instruments issued by foreign banks in the US. They have a minimum face value of $100,000 and can be purchased in various denominations. The main advantage is their security, but the interest rate is usually low. Rates vary and are published by banks and in derivatives markets. It’s important to […]
A record date is when a company identifies shareholders to pay an upcoming dividend. The ex-dividend date is when the stock price drops by the dividend amount. Mutual funds and asset-backed securities also use record dates for distributions. Settlement periods are important for buyers to receive dividends. A record date is the date a company […]
Refund is the repayment of illegally obtained funds, determined by financial regulators. It is a remedy, not a punishment, to compensate for losses. Convicted parties may also be required to pay a punitive fine, and the process of determining the amount is complicated. Tax law allows companies to claim their taxes back, but not punitive […]
Trade finance software can streamline the trading process, reduce resources required, and track import/export activity. Different solutions are available for financial institutions, importers, and exporters. Automated systems can respond to various stages of the process and improve efficiency. The software can also be designed to respond to different regulations and support risk management in extending […]
An accommodation line is a form of underwriting where an insurance company provides coverage to a client who does not meet their established standards, in order to preserve a lucrative relationship with a broker or agent. This arrangement can allow individuals and businesses to get the insurance coverage they need, but is not guaranteed. An […]
Steady state is a phase in the mortgage industry where borrowers overpay their mortgages to prepare for refinancing, making the yield on mortgage-backed securities more predictable. MBS pools are purchased by banks and bundled into securities for investors, but economic changes and risky subprime mortgages can make them pernicious. A steady-state economy is an economic […]
A public book is a list of orders to buy or sell securities, maintained by an order book officer. It contains limit orders and is used by market makers to facilitate order fulfillment. The book is closed, and details are only available to the staff member who maintains it. A public book is a complete […]
Financials are objective data that describe a company’s financial health and viability, including its balance sheet, income statement, and annual report. These are important tools for fundamental analysis of stocks, with the annual report being the most useful for quickly assessing a company’s financial performance. The balance sheet and income statement provide more specific information, […]
The previous close refers to the price of a security before the last market close and is used to compare prices from one day to the next. It can be manipulated by investors to appear higher. It is a useful metric for discussing events within one day’s market and preparing for the next day. In […]
Stamp duty is a tax on legal documents or publications, with different rates and rules in various countries. The United States does not have stamp duty due to the negative reaction to the Stamp Act of 1765, which helped lead to the American Revolution. In the UK, stamp duty is levied on the purchase, rental, […]
Art finance involves buying and selling works of art, with services including appraisals, insurance, and loans. Private banks, auction houses, and consultancies offer these services to high-end clients. Art loans allow owners to leverage their collections for financing, but determining a work’s value is difficult and lenders may put provisions in place to reduce risk. […]
Ghosting is an illegal strategy where two or more market makers manipulate the price of a security, either to drive it down or artificially inflate it. It violates investing principles and can result in fines, market bans, or prosecution. This practice is illegal in most countries due to its potential threat to the economy. Ghosting, […]
An approved list is a list of securities deemed fit for purchase, prepared by financial experts or government officials. It can refer to a list of investments that trustees can legally purchase or a list of securities that members of a brokerage firm can purchase. The list is regularly updated to take advantage of market […]
