A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | #
A
Asset Allocation: The strategy of dividing investments among various asset categories to optimize risk and reward.
B
Bear Market: A market condition characterized by declining prices, typically 20% or more from recent highs.
Bull Market: A period in which the prices of securities are rising or expected to rise.
Bond: A fixed-income investment representing a loan made by an investor to a borrower, typically corporate or governmental.
C
Capital Gains: The profit realized from the sale of assets such as stocks or property.
Certificate of Deposit (CD): A savings certificate with a fixed maturity date and specified interest rate.
Credit Score: A numerical representation of a person's creditworthiness based on their credit history.
D
Diversification: The practice of spreading investments across different assets to reduce risk.
Dividend: A portion of a company's earnings distributed to shareholders.
Debt-to-Income Ratio: A personal finance measure comparing monthly debt payments to gross income.
Deflation: A decrease in the general price level of goods and services, often associated with reduced consumer spending.
E
Estate Planning: Preparing for the transfer of assets after death, including wills and trusts.
Equity: The value of ownership interest in an asset or company, calculated as assets minus liabilities.
F
Fiduciary: An individual or organization legally obligated to act in the best interest of another party.
Financial Advisor: A professional who provides financial guidance and investment advice.
Fixed Annuity: An insurance product that provides a guaranteed rate of return and periodic payments to the investor.
H
Hedge Fund: A private investment fund that engages in diverse and complex strategies to earn active returns for its investors.
I
Inflation: The rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services rises, eroding purchasing power.
Interest Rate: The percentage charged on borrowed money or paid on savings and investments.
Investment Risk: The potential for losing money on an investment.
IRA (Individual Retirement Account): A tax-advantaged account designed to help individuals save for retirement.
Index Fund: A mutual fund or ETF designed to replicate the performance of a specific market index.
Inflation Risk: The danger that the purchasing power of investments will decline due to rising prices.
L
Liability: A financial obligation or debt owed by an individual or organization.
Liquidity: The ease with which an asset can be converted into cash without affecting its market price.
Leverage: The use of borrowed capital to increase potential returns on an investment.
M
Mutual Fund: An investment vehicle that pools money from many investors to purchase a diversified portfolio of securities.
Market Capitalization: The total market value of a company's outstanding shares of stock.
Municipal Bond: A bond issued by local government entities to finance public projects, often offering tax advantages.
N
Net Worth: The total value of an individual’s assets minus liabilities.
P
Portfolio: A collection of financial investments like stocks, bonds, and cash equivalents.
Pension Plan: A retirement plan that provides a fixed sum of money periodically to employees after retirement.
Principal: The original sum of money invested or loaned, excluding any interest or profits earned.
R
Recession: A significant decline in economic activity across the economy, lasting more than a few months.
Retirement Planning: The process of determining retirement income goals and the actions necessary to achieve them.
Roth IRA: A type of IRA where contributions are made with after-tax dollars, and qualified withdrawals are tax-free.
Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT): A company owning or financing income-producing real estate, allowing investors to buy shares in commercial properties.
Risk Tolerance: An investor’s ability or willingness to endure market volatility and potential losses.
S
Stock: A share representing ownership in a company and a claim on part of its assets and earnings.
Secured Loan: A loan backed by collateral, reducing the risk for the lender.
Speculation: Investing in assets with high risk, hoping for substantial gains.
T
Tax-Deferred: Investments where taxes on earnings are postponed until withdrawals are made.
Taxable Income: The portion of income subject to taxation after deductions and exemptions.
Treasury Bond: A government debt security with a fixed interest rate and maturity of more than 10 years.
U
Unsecured Loan: A loan not backed by collateral, relying solely on the borrower’s creditworthiness.
V
Volatility: The degree of variation in investment prices over time, indicating risk.
Y
Yield: The income return on an investment, expressed as a percentage of its cost or market value.
Z
Zero-Coupon Bond: A bond sold at a discount and paying no interest, with the full face value paid at maturity.
Zoning: Government regulations determining the use of land in different areas, affecting property values and development potential.
#
401(k) Plan: A retirement savings plan offered by employers that allows employees to save and invest part of their paycheck before taxes.