Large companies that put less efficient and highly specialized merchants out of business. Category killers can attain this status by being cheaper, easier…

A Latin phrase for "let the buyer beware." The term is primarily used in real property transactions. Essentially it proclaims that the buyer must perform…

The highest level of allowance permitted for a certain good, rate, or transaction. Also referred to as a cap, a ceiling is a restrictive measure placed…

A nickname for Ireland during its boom years of the late 1990s, when it enjoyed an average annual growth rate of over 6.5%. The first boom was in the…

An organization that exists in various European countries that helps facilitate trading done in European derivatives and equities markets. These clearing…

A financial market structure that consists of having all orders routed to one central exchange with no other competing market. The quoted prices of the…

A monthly survey of 100 CEOs from a variety of industries in the U.S. economy. The survey is conducted, analyzed and reported by the Conference Board…

The return that would be accepted for the chance at a higher, but uncertain, amount. This is useful in determining what return investors will require…

The CFP legal team has provided its official definition, along with trademarks: CFP and Certified Financial Planner marks are certification marks owned…

CIMC's have completed extensive course work and passed NASD proctored examinations for Levels I and II of the Institute for Certified Investment Management…

A designation by the Institute for Investment Management Consultants to associate members who pass an exam and meet financial services work-experience…

An accounting designation whose holder has formally demonstrated a mix of expertise in financial accounting and strategic management. This certification…

Formerly known as the Association for Investment Management and Research (AIMR), the CFA Institute is an international organization comprised of more…

An indicator that provides information on the monthly sales volumes from chain stores. Chain store sales, released on the first Thursday of the month…

The most powerful member on the board of directors who provides leadership to the firm's officers and executives. The chair of the board ensures that…

A report, released monthly, that provides information on the number of announced corporate layoffs. The Challenger Job-Cut Report is produced by Challenger…

1. For an option or futures contract, the difference between the current price and the previous day's settlement price. 2. For an index or average, the…

1. The system of intermediaries between the producers, suppliers, consumers, etcetera, for the movement of a good or service. 2. The technical range between…

A mathematical concept that explains that it is possible to get random results from normal equations. The main precept behind this theory is the underlying…

A bankruptcy proceeding in which a company stops all operations and goes completely out of business. A trustee is appointed to liquidate (sell) the company…

A card that charges no interest but requires the user to pay his/her balance in full upon receipt of the statement, usually on a monthly basis. While…

A court-authorized right granted to a judgment creditor to attach distributions made from a business entity, such as a limited partnership (LP) or limited…

A legal document that provides for the creation of a corporate entity. A corporation's charter is issued by either a federal or a regional government…

A professional designation given out by the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst Association to establish an educational standard for individuals…

A financial institution whose primary roles are to accept and safeguard monetary deposits from individuals and organizations, and to lend money out. The…

A professional designation given by the CFA Institute (formerly AIMR) that measures the competence and integrity of financial analysts. Candidates are…

A designation by the Investment Counsel Association to those holding CFAs and currently working as investment counselors. The Investment Counsel Association…

Entering or exiting of a trend after the trend has already been well established. Investors are often unaware of the fact that they are chasing the market…

The highest ranking executive in a company whose main responsibilities include developing and implementing high-level strategies, making major corporate…

This is the senior manager who is responsible for overseeing the financial activities of an entire company. This includes signing checks, monitoring cash…

A company executive who is responsible for the management, implementation and usability of information and computer technologies. The CIO will analyze…

The senior manager who is responsible for managing the company's day-to-day operations and reporting them to the chief executive officer (CEO). A company…

The company executive responsible for the security of personnel, physical assets and information in both physical and digital form. The importance of…

A hedge involving a short position in a convertible security and a long position in its underlying asset. The Chinese hedge looks to capitalize on mispriced…

The ethical barrier between different divisions of a financial (or other) institution to avoid conflict of interest. A Chinese Wall is said to exist…

A market in which the spread between the bid and the ask for a given financial instrument is zero - meaning that, at any point in time, the instrument…

The percentage of subscribers to a service that discontinue their subscription to that service in a given time period.  In order for a company to expand…

An acronym standing for the "CUSIP International Numbering System," which provides identification of international securities. The CINS numbering system…

A punitive fine imposed by a civil court on an entity that has profited from illegal or unethical activity. The Securities and Exchange Commission imposes…

An action where an individual represents a group in a court claim. The judgment from the suit is for all the members of the group (class). This is often…

1. Types of listed company stock that are differentiated by the level of voting rights shareholders receive. For example, a listed company might have…

A shortened form of "clean technologies", a term used to describe an investment philosophy used by investors seeking to profit from environmentally friendly…

An organization associated with an exchange to handle the confirmation, settlement and delivery of transactions, fulfilling the main obligation of ensuring…

A European clearing corporation, this organization supports over 2500 different companies in 80 locations worldwide.Another clearing house, only this…

The occurrence of a gemstone breaking into two or more pieces during the cutting or polishing process. Naturally occurring impurities in the stones increase…

The percent of individuals viewing a Web page who click on a specific banner ad appearing on the page. Overall click-through rates have declined substantially…

A type of vesting that occurs entirely at a specified time rather than gradually.  Until the specified time there is no vesting, at which point the benefit…

A form of business buy-sell agreement. Close Corporation Plans stipulate that the surviving partners must purchase all of the shares owned by the deceased…

The act of taking the opposite position of the current position thereby getting out of a position in a particular stock or security.Also referred to as…

A closed-end fund is a publicly traded investment company that raises a fixed amount of capital through an initial public offering (IPO). The fund is…