Financial Terminology FAQ

Liquidity refers to the ease with which an asset or security can be bought or sold without causing significant price movement. It represents the ability to convert an asset into cash quickly.

In finance, equity refers to the ownership interest in a company or property. It represents the residual interest after deducting liabilities from the value of assets. It can also refer to shares of stock.

Market risk refers to the possibility of losses arising from changes in market conditions, such as fluctuations in stock prices, interest rates, or exchange rates. It is an inherent risk faced by all market participants.

APR stands for Annual Percentage Rate. It represents the annual cost of borrowing money, including both the interest rate and any applicable fees or charges.

A balance sheet is a financial statement that provides a snapshot of a company’s financial position at a specific point in time. It shows the company’s assets, liabilities, and shareholders’ equity.

Compound interest is the interest calculated on the initial principal and the accumulated interest from previous periods. It allows investments to grow exponentially over time.

A dividend is a payment made by a corporation to its shareholders as a distribution of its profits. It is typically paid in cash but can also be in the form of additional shares or other assets.

A bull market refers to a financial market where prices are rising or expected to rise, indicating investor optimism. Conversely, a bear market refers to a market where prices are falling or expected to fall, indicating investor pessimism.

A stock represents ownership in a company, while a bond is a debt instrument issued by a company or government entity to raise capital. Stocks offer ownership rights, while bonds represent a loan to be repaid with interest.

Risk tolerance refers to an individual’s ability to handle and accept the potential losses associated with an investment. It varies from person to person and is influenced by factors such as financial goals, time horizon, and personal comfort with risk.

Inflation is the rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services is rising and, subsequently, purchasing power is falling. It erodes the value of money over time.

A mutual fund is an investment vehicle that pools money from multiple investors to invest in a diversified portfolio of securities, such as stocks, bonds, or other assets. It is managed by professional fund managers.

A traditional IRA allows individuals to make tax-deductible contributions and defers taxes on investment earnings until withdrawal. In contrast, a Roth IRA offers tax-free withdrawals on qualified distributions but does not provide immediate tax deductions for contributions.

Supply and demand are the fundamental forces that drive prices and allocation of resources in a market economy. Supply refers to the quantity of a product or service available, while demand represents the willingness and ability of buyers to purchase it.

Net worth is the difference between an individual’s assets (such as cash, investments, and property) and liabilities (such as debts and loans). It is a measure of an individual’s financial health and overall wealth.

A credit score is a numerical representation of an individual’s creditworthiness. It is used by lenders to assess the risk of extending credit to a borrower. Higher credit scores indicate a lower risk of default.

Diversification is a risk management strategy that involves spreading investments across different assets, sectors, or regions. The goal is to reduce the impact of any single investment on the overall portfolio and increase the potential for stable returns.

A financial advisor is a professional who provides guidance and advice on various aspects of personal finance, including investments, retirement planning, tax strategies, and risk management. They help individuals achieve their financial goals.

A capital gain is the profit realized from the sale of a capital asset, such as stocks, bonds, or real estate. It is calculated as the difference between the selling price and the purchase price of the asset.

A traditional bank has physical branches where customers can conduct transactions in person. An online bank operates primarily through digital platforms, offering services over the internet without physical branches.

Asset allocation refers to the distribution of investments across different asset classes, such as stocks, bonds, and cash. It aims to balance risk and reward by diversifying investments based on an individual’s goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon.

A capital loss is the loss incurred from the sale of a capital asset for less than its purchase price. It is the opposite of a capital gain and can be used to offset capital gains for tax purposes.

Market capitalization, or market cap, is the total value of a publicly traded company’s outstanding shares of stock. It is calculated by multiplying the current share price by the number of outstanding shares.

A 401(k) retirement plan is a tax-advantaged investment account offered by employers to help employees save for retirement. Contributions are made on a pre-tax basis, and investment earnings grow tax-deferred until withdrawal.

A debit card allows you to spend money by drawing funds directly from your checking account, while a credit card allows you to borrow money up to a certain credit limit. Debit card transactions are immediately deducted from your account, while credit card transactions accrue debt to be paid off later.

Buying on margin is a practice where an investor borrows funds from a broker to purchase securities. It allows the investor to leverage their investment by using borrowed money, but it also increases the potential for losses.

A diversified portfolio is a collection of investments that contains a mix of different asset classes, such as stocks, bonds, and cash. It aims to reduce risk by spreading investments across different sectors and geographic regions.

A mortgage is a loan provided by a lender, typically a bank, to finance the purchase of a property. The borrower agrees to make regular payments over a specified period, and the property serves as collateral for the loan.

The time value of money is the idea that money available today is worth more than the same amount in the future due to its earning potential. It takes into account the opportunity cost of having money tied up in an investment or loan.

The inflation rate is the percentage increase in the general level of prices for goods and services over a specific period. It is often measured using the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and reflects the erosion of purchasing power over time.

A hedge fund is an investment partnership that pools capital from accredited individuals or institutional investors. Hedge funds employ a variety of investment strategies and often have more flexibility than traditional investment funds.

The interest rate is the percentage charged by a lender to a borrower for the use of borrowed money. It represents the cost of borrowing or the return earned on an investment.

An initial public offering (IPO) is the process by which a private company offers its shares to the public for the first time. It allows the company to raise capital by selling ownership stakes to investors.

A traditional savings account allows you to deposit and withdraw funds freely while earning interest. A certificate of deposit (CD) is a time deposit with a fixed term and fixed interest rate. Withdrawals before the term ends may incur penalties.

Capital expenditure refers to the funds a company spends to acquire, upgrade, or maintain physical assets, such as property, plant, and equipment. It is typically a long-term investment that benefits the company over an extended period.

Asset management involves the professional management of investments on behalf of individuals, institutions, or funds. It includes a range of services, such as portfolio diversification, risk analysis, and performance monitoring.

A stock exchange is a centralized marketplace where buyers and sellers can trade securities, such as stocks and bonds. It provides a platform for transparent and regulated trading of financial instruments.

An annuity is a financial product designed to provide a regular stream of income over a specified period or for the lifetime of the annuitant. It is typically purchased from an insurance company.

The capital market is a financial market where individuals and institutions buy and sell long-term securities, such as stocks, bonds, and derivatives. It serves as a platform for raising capital for businesses and governments.

A traditional 401(k) allows employees to make pre-tax contributions, reducing their current taxable income. Withdrawals in retirement are subject to income tax. In contrast, a Roth 401(k) accepts after-tax contributions, allowing for tax-free withdrawals in retirement.

Dollar-cost averaging is an investment strategy where an investor regularly invests a fixed amount of money into an investment vehicle, regardless of its price. This approach aims to reduce the impact of market volatility by buying more shares when prices are low and fewer shares when prices are high.

Capital structure refers to the composition of a company’s financial liabilities, including long-term debt, short-term debt, and equity. It represents how a company finances its operations and investments.

A derivative is a financial instrument whose value is derived from an underlying asset or benchmark. Examples of derivatives include options, futures, and swaps. They are often used for hedging or speculating purposes.

The capital adequacy ratio is a measure of a bank’s ability to withstand losses and meet regulatory capital requirements. It is calculated by dividing a bank’s capital by its risk-weighted assets.