Reverse indexing reverses index values before they are indexed, improving efficiency in accessing archived information. B-tree, r-tree, and bitmap are three types of reverse indexing processes. Reverse indexing is efficient for accessing critical information quickly, but may not be worth the cost for small businesses. A reverse index is a term used to describe the […]
Viscosity index (VI) measures an oil’s resistance to flow at different temperatures. The higher the VI, the better the oil lubricates an engine. VI is based on viscosity measurements at 100°F and 210°F. Modern synthetic oils can score over 400, but high VI oils may contain additives that burn under pressure. VI should not be […]
The Wobbe Index measures the interchangeability of fuels like natural gas and propane, with different fuels requiring adjustments for safe use. The index is named after Goffredo Wobbe, who determined the relationship between heat output, specific gravity, and calorific value. Fuel gases are divided into three families, with LPG fuels having the highest index numbers. […]
An index register is a fast memory area in a CPU used to iterate through memory addresses or track operations. It can act as a pointer to data arrays and hold loop counters, and is usually accessed through assembly language. Some processors have dedicated index registers, while others use any generic register. In computer programming […]
The Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI) determines if a patient with community-acquired pneumonia needs hospitalization by using a clinical prediction rule with 20 questions. Patients are divided into five risk categories based on their score. The PSI is accurate but more difficult to use than the CURB-65 method. The Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI) is a method […]
The free androgen index measures testosterone levels by calculating the ratio of testosterone to a sex hormone-binding protein. It is used to treat testosterone deficiency in men and low or high levels in women, and can help doctors treat low libido, osteoporosis, and ovarian disorders. High levels could indicate polycystic ovary syndrome, a hormonal disorder […]
The World Health Organization created the UV Index to measure the amount of harmful UV light entering the earth’s atmosphere. The index measures UVA and UVB waves, which are more dangerous to skin and eyes than visible light. Factors affecting UV levels include the position of the sun, atmospheric conditions, and soil reflection. To limit […]
A housing affordability index compares median home prices to median income to determine the likelihood of a median-income family purchasing a median-priced home. However, the index does not account for many variables, such as inflated prices and credit restrictions, and may not be a reliable predictor of an individual’s ability to purchase a home. A […]
A housing affordability index measures the likelihood of a median-income family being able to purchase a median-priced home. The US National Association of Realtors produces a well-known index, but it may not be reliable due to variables like inflated prices and credit restrictions. A housing affordability index is a way of measuring the probability of […]
The Russell 3000 Index is a benchmark of 3,000 publicly traded US companies, covering 98% of the total. The Russell 3000E Index includes 4,000 companies, with the 3000 stocks plus 1,000 smaller ones. The index is used for benchmarking and by mutual funds. The Russell 3000 Index is an index of the stock prices of […]
Index mutual funds match the investment returns of a certain group of stocks, carry lower annual expenses than other mutual funds, and are not actively managed, making them a “passive” investment. They are a collection of shares that are already diversified, making it easy for individual investors to invest in the stock market. John Bogle, […]
Index bonds have no maturity date and their value is determined by the current index rate. They can be open or closed, and tax-exempt or taxable. However, they can be risky investments as index rates can rise or fall without notice. The minimum investment is $1,000 USD. Many prudent investors use a portion of their […]
Index funds track a specific market index, such as stocks, bonds, commodities, or social responsibility, and aim to match its performance. Some index fund managers use active management techniques, but this can increase fees and negate the main advantage of index funds. An index fund is a type of security whose value follows a measure, […]
A constrained index is an unbiased measure of a market that limits the weight of any individual component, preventing it from dominating the overall average. It provides a more balanced view of the market and is useful for investors who choose stocks by sector or invest in funds reflecting a certain index. A constrained index […]
The Food Price Index measures the average price of food and the factors that cause prices to change. It averages five figures: cereals, sugar, oils and fats, meats, and dairy products. The index is intended for politicians and food manufacturers to correct factors affecting prices. The food price index is a measure that shows the […]
The material index measures the weight of local materials used in manufacturing compared to the weight of the final product. Industries with a high material index tend to locate near raw materials, while those with a low index locate closer to end markets. The material index is a measure often considered by an industrial enterprise […]
The exclusion index is the portion of an annuity return that is not taxed because it is meant to replace the initial investment. It is calculated by dividing the amount paid for the annuity by the anticipated return. Once the initial investment is recouped, all returns become taxable. Annuity investors often have to pay taxes […]
The refractive index indicates how light travels through a substance compared to a vacuum. It is determined by dividing the speed of light in a vacuum by the speed of light in the substance. The index can vary for different types of light and materials. An index of refraction is a numerical value that indicates […]
The Consumer Confidence Index measures people’s opinions about the economy in a given country. It is used by companies, lending institutions, and politicians to understand the public’s mood and make decisions accordingly. The US Consumer Confidence Index is prepared monthly by the Conference Board. A Consumer Confidence Index, or CCI, is a measurement tool that […]
Index funds offer low-cost, diversified investment options that track broad market benchmarks, such as the S&P 500 or FTSE 100. By spreading investments across different types of securities, risk is shared across multiple categories, potentially providing exposure to more than one asset class. One investment style involves asset allocation in index funds. These are portfolios […]
