You can scroll on the bar or click the appropriate letter to find what you would like. Accrued Interest Interest earned by a bond since the last payment was made. AMEX The American Stock Exchange. Appreciation The increase in value of an investment. Asset Something you own or that is owed to you. Bear Market A declining stock market. Bid and Asked Price The highest price offered for a security at a given time (bid) and the lowest price accepted for that security at that time (asked). Big Board The New York Stock Exchange. Blue Chip The stock of a top-rated company known for the quality of its products and the security and return on investment of its stock; also the company itself. Bond A corporation's note acknowledging indebtedness for a certain amount and promising to pay interest at a given rate on that amount as well as to pay back the principal on a certain date. See also junk bond; Treasury bond. Book value The theoretical worth of a share of stock as shown on a company's balance sheet. This has little relationship to the stock's market value. Bull Market A rising stock market. Capital Gain or Capital Loss The gain or loss resulting from the sale of an asset. Capital Stock All shares of stock in a company, both common and preferred. Capitalization All securities issued by a company, including bonds, common and preferred stock, and debentures. Collateral Property or securities used by a borrower to secure a loan. Convertible Securities Securities that can be exchanged by the holder for common stock or another security. Coupon Bond A bond with coupons attached that are clipped by the holder and presented for payment of interest due. Current Assets The total amount of cash, securities inventory, and receivables expected during the normal business cycle of a company, usually one year. Current Liabilities The total amount of debt and other payments that will be due during the normal business cycle of a company, usually one year. Debenture An unsecured promissory note backed by a company's general credit. Discount The amount of money below the issuing price of a stock or bond at which it sells. Discretionary Account A securities account that leaves some or all decisions about purchases and sales to the discretion of a broker. Dividend A payment by a company equally divided among its stockholders. See also stock dividend. Dow Jones Average The average price of selected stocks, used as an indicator of the stock market's performance. Equity The interest stockholders have in a company, or the amount of property a property holder actually has paid for as opposed to the portion held by a mortgage. Ex-dividend A stock that does not pay a recently declared dividend to its new purchaser. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) The federal agency that insures amounts of up to $100,000 deposited in qualified banks. Fiduciary Someone who acts on behalf of another in financial matters. Gilt-Edged Security A high-grade preferred stock or bond issued by a company with a strong performance record. Income Fund A mutual fund designed to provide current income. Individual retirement account (IRA) A tax sheltered and sometimes tax-deductible retirement plan. Interest The money paid by a borrower to a lender for the use of the borrowed money. Investment The use of money to make more money. Junk Bond A high-risk, high-yielding corporate bond. Keogh Plan A tax-sheltered retirement plan for self-employed people with no pension plans. Liabilities All claims against and amounts owed by a person or company. Listed Stock Stock traded on a securities exchange. Margin The portion of a stock's price paid by the buyer when the broker arranges for the remainder to be purchased on credit. Market Order An order to buy or sell at the current market price of a security. Maturity The date on which a bond or loan is to be paid off. Money-market Fund A mutual fund that invests in short-term financial securities. Municipal Bond A bond issued by a local government. Mutual Fund An investment company that continually offers new stock and redeems outstanding shares on demand. Odd Lot An amount of stock bought or sold in units other than 10 shares or 100 shares. Offer The price at which someone is willing to sell. Over-The-Counter Market The arena in which stocks not listed on exchanges are bought and sold. Par The issuing value of a share of common stock. Preferred Stock Stock that must receive its share of earnings before payment is made on common stock. Premium The amount over par value by which a preferred stock is sold. Puts And Calls Options that give the right to sell or buy a specified number of shares of stock at a specified price within a specified time. Red herring A preliminary prospectus issued to gauge interest in a new stock issue. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) The federal agency that oversees securities trading. Stock Ownership shares in a company. Stock dividend Shares distributed to current shareholders in a company in proportion to those they hold. Stock Split The division of currently outstanding shares into a larger number of shares. Tax Shelter A way in which taxes on income may be; legally decreased, eliminated, or deferred. Tender Offer An offer by one company to purchase shares of stock in another company directly from it stockholders. Treasury Bill A short-term U.S. government security sold at a discount in competitive bidding. Treasury Bond A long-term U.S. government bond issued in $1,000 denominations. Yield The amount of dividend or interest expressed as a percentage of the selling price. Zero-Coupon Bonds Bonds that are sold at a discount from their face value but do not pay interest.     COPYRIGHT©2005 VICTORIA PACKING CORP. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ( CTR-110505-INV)