The Consumer Sentiment Index measures consumer confidence in a country’s economy through various means of research, with the oldest index in the US. The index is used by the government, businesses, and investors to understand consumer sentiment and anticipate economic trends. The Consumer Sentiments Index is a tool used to determine general sentiments towards the […]
Public opinion is the intent and desire of the general population on political matters, determined through polls and personal contacts. It is important for politicians to consider public opinion to win elections and pass legislation. Politicians may go against public opinion for various reasons. Public opinion can change, and politicians must keep an eye on […]
Attorneys write title opinions to secure title to a property or issue a title. The document details the attorney’s research and opinion on the validity of the title, including any liens or claims found. The format includes a disclaimer, property information, liens, claims, and judgments. The attorney also records the closing of the title and […]
Advisory opinions are legal advice given when there is no case or dispute but concern about the legality of the law. They can be obtained from courts, lawyers, and ethics commissions, but are not legally binding. They can be used to determine whether to proceed with an activity or legal case. An advisory opinion is […]
Majority opinions are issued by panels of judges in appellate and supreme courts in the US, UK, Canada, and EU. They establish binding law and reflect the collective decision of the court. Dissenting and concurring opinions do not carry the weight of precedent. When a case is heard by a panel of judges, the judges […]
An audit opinion is a professional opinion given by an accountant after an audit of financial records. An unqualified opinion means the auditor fully inspected and approved the information, while a qualified opinion has some reservations. A disclaimer indicates insufficient information, and an adverse opinion suggests serious issues. Auditors are careful to issue accurate opinions […]
Dissenting opinions are written by judges who disagree with the majority decision in a case. They explain their reasoning and can be used by other judges and legal scholars. Dissenting opinions are important if a subsequent court wants to overturn a verdict. A dissenting opinion is one delivered by a judge who disagrees with what […]
Concurring opinions are written by judges who agree with the majority decision but have different reasoning. They cannot create legal precedents and are less important than majority opinions. Judges can write concurring opinions to challenge or add to the majority opinion, and they can be useful for attorneys and the public. They must be clearly […]
A review opinion is the majority opinion of a court, written by one judge or a panel of judges. Judges may also write concurring or dissenting opinions. Plurality opinions have less value as precedent. A review opinion is the description of the reasoning used by the court in forming its judgment. In general, it is […]
An opinion slip is a temporary written statement prepared by a court that establishes the basis for a decision and is subject to review. It may contain discrepancies from the published version, and parties should not rely on it for case preparation. An opinion slip is a written statement prepared by a court that establishes […]
A qualified opinion is an auditor’s written opinion that notes reservations about the accuracy of financial records, triggered by limited scope, missing or erroneous information, or unusual accounting practices. Auditors issue three types of opinions: unqualified, qualified, and adverse. GAAP is a common set of accounting standards and procedures. The auditor’s report is a standard […]
A fairness opinion is a statement from a third party, often an investment bank, about the reasonableness of a proposed financial transaction involving a public company. It helps company officials fulfill their fiduciary duty to shareholders and can be used in negotiations or legal disputes. The opinion is only as good as the information provided […]
An opinion essay expresses the writer’s opinion with supporting facts and examples. It consists of an opening paragraph with a hook, thesis statement, and transition, supporting paragraphs that explain the writer’s opinion and discredit opposing arguments, and a conclusion that summarizes the important facts and arguments presented. The essayist is free to use phrases like […]
Facts are objective and supported by evidence, while opinions are subjective and based on personal beliefs. Scientific facts are based on observation and experimentation, while legal facts are determined by a judge or jury. The difference between truth and belief is a matter of philosophical debate. In general, a fact is something that actually happened […]
“Break even” refers to a situation where there is no surplus or debt, resulting in a final balance of zero. It can apply to personal finance or business activities. A person or business can be in debt, have positive equity, or break even. To determine if one has broken even, subtract the costs and payables […]
An unaudited opinion is a financial evaluation by a CPA based on general assumptions, not a comprehensive examination of all financial records. It can provide general recommendations for a company, but it does not carry the same weight as an audit. It is a common service offered by accounting firms and can be requested for […]
Facts can be proven while opinions cannot. Objective evidence supports facts, while preferences support opinions. The difference can be subtle and experts may express opinions as facts. Determining the difference between fact and opinion can be difficult. The most basic difference is that facts can be proven while opinions cannot. When trying to distinguish between […]
A fairness opinion is a statement from a third party, often an investment bank, on whether the terms of a financial transaction involving a public company are reasonable. It helps company officials fulfill their fiduciary duty to shareholders and can be used in negotiations or legal disputes. The opinion is only as good as the […]
