Financial Market Vocublary
Finance Terms Starting from "A" (46 no.s Most Popular and Important )
Definition: The process of closing a demat or trading account by submitting a formal request to the depository participant.
Example: An investor closes their demat account after liquidating all securities and submitting a closure form to the broker.
Definition: The total short-term financial obligations a company owes to vendors or creditors.
Example: A brokerage firm has ₹3 lakh pending in accounts payable for IT services rendered.
Definition: Money owed to a business by clients for services delivered on credit.
Example: An advisory firm has ₹1 lakh listed as accounts receivable from portfolio management fees.
Definition: Refers to the gradual growth in value of an investment over time, typically through compounding or reinvestment.
Example: A zero-coupon bond accretes in value until maturity despite not paying periodic interest.
Definition: Interest that has been earned but not yet received or recorded in an account.
Example: A bond sold mid-year earns ₹700 as accrued interest payable to the seller.
Definition: A liquidity ratio that measures a company's ability to pay short-term obligations excluding inventory.
Example: A firm with an acid test ratio of 1.5 has ₹1.50 in quick assets for every ₹1 in liabilities.
Definition: A company or person that purchases another company through merger or acquisition.
Example: HDFC Ltd was the acquirer during the HDFC-HDFC Bank merger process.
Definition: A strategy involving regular buying and selling of securities to outperform the market benchmark.
Example: A mutual fund manager using active strategy rotates between auto and banking sectors based on forecasts.
Definition: Extra margin imposed by stock exchanges to curb volatility or safeguard against excessive risk.
Example: NSE imposed an adhoc margin on certain penny stocks after speculative trading volume spiked.
Definition: A currency system where exchange rates are fixed but adjusted periodically to realign with market forces.
Example: Hong Kong followed an adjustable peg to maintain stability against the U.S. dollar.
Definition: A refined measure of a stock’s volatility that accounts for future projections and mean reversion.
Example: A high-risk tech stock's adjusted beta might reduce closer to 1 over time.
Definition: Permission granted by a stock exchange to a company or broker to conduct trading.
Example: The new broker received admission to dealing from NSE after meeting all eligibility norms.
Definition: A market breadth indicator showing the net difference between advancing and declining stocks.
Example: A rising A/D line during a rally indicates broad market strength.
Definition: A certified professional offering personalized investment advice to clients.
Example: A SEBI-registered adviser helped clients plan retirement with equity mutual funds.
Definition: Orders executed by brokers on behalf of their clients without owning the shares.
Example: A broker places an agency order for 100 shares of HDFC for a retail investor.
Definition: A notification issued to investors confirming the shares allotted after IPO subscription.
Example: The investor received an allotment advice for 30 IPO shares in their demat account.
Definition: A formal document detailing the securities allotted to an investor after an issue.
Example: The company dispatched an allotment letter for 100 debentures subscribed online.
Definition: The excess return a portfolio generates relative to its benchmark, indicating performance quality.
Example: A portfolio with an alpha of 2% beat the market return by 2% annually.
Definition: Association of Merchant Bankers of India, governing body for merchant banking activities.
Example: AMBI ensures compliance and code of conduct for merchant bankers.
Definition: U.S.-traded certificates representing shares in a foreign company, enabling U.S. investment in foreign firms.
Example: Infosys shares are accessible to American investors through ADRs listed on NYSE.
Definition: A type of option that can be exercised at any time before expiration, offering greater flexibility.
Example: Traders often prefer American options to capture early gains in volatile markets.
Definition: The Association of Mutual Funds in India, a regulatory body for mutual funds operating in India.
Example: AMFI ensures mutual fund distributors follow ethical practices and investor protection norms.
Definition: A financial professional who evaluates investments, company reports, and market trends to provide recommendations.
Example: An equity analyst issues a buy rating on TCS based on strong quarterly earnings.
Definition: The increase in the value of an asset over time due to market demand or favorable developments.
Example: The stock price of Infosys appreciated 30% over six months due to increased global orders.
Definition: A registered entity authorized to facilitate transactions between buyers and sellers in financial markets.
Example: A SEBI-approved intermediary helped the investor settle their mutual fund transactions.
Definition: The simultaneous buying and selling of the same asset in different markets to profit from price differences.
Example: A trader exploits arbitrage by buying Nifty futures at NSE and selling at BSE for a small profit.
Definition: A process used to resolve disputes between investors and brokers without court intervention.
Example: The investor filed an arbitration case with the exchange over unauthorized trades in his account.
Definition: A type of option contract whose payoff depends on the average price of the underlying asset during a specified period.
Example: An Asian call option on crude oil calculates profits using its average monthly price.
Definition: The investment strategy of distributing capital across asset classes like equity, debt, and gold.
Example: A 60:30:10 asset allocation divides the portfolio into 60% equity, 30% debt, and 10% gold.
Definition: A mutual fund that automatically diversifies investment across different asset categories based on market conditions.
Example: An asset allocation fund reduces equity exposure in volatile markets while increasing bond investments.
Definition: Financial instruments backed by a pool of assets like loans, credit cards, or receivables.
Example: Banks issue asset-backed securities by pooling vehicle loans to raise funds from the market.
Definition: A financial process of converting illiquid assets like loans into tradeable securities.
Example: A bank pools home loans to issue mortgage-backed securities via asset-based securitization.
Definition: The professional handling of a client’s investments to maximize returns based on goals and risk tolerance.
Example: The investor hired an asset management company to build a retirement-focused portfolio.
Definition: A firm that manages pooled funds from investors and invests in diversified financial securities.
Example: HDFC AMC manages various mutual fund schemes catering to Indian retail investors.
Definition: An investor or company that buys underperforming firms solely to sell off their valuable assets.
Example: The private equity firm acted as an asset stripper by selling machinery and real estate separately.
Definition: A situation where one party in a transaction has more or better information than the other, creating imbalance.
Example: Insider trading is an outcome of asymmetric information in financial markets.
Definition: An order type instructing a broker to buy or sell a security immediately at the best available price.
Example: The trader placed an at-best order to sell shares during a market spike.
Definition: An option whose strike price is exactly equal to the current market price of the underlying asset.
Example: A call option with a ₹200 strike is at-the-money when the stock trades at ₹200.
Definition: A market mechanism where buyers place competitive bids and sellers set competitive offers to determine price.
Example: Government bonds are issued via auction conducted by the Reserve Bank of India.
Definition: A certified professional who examines financial records to ensure accuracy and regulatory compliance.
Example: The company’s auditor flagged discrepancies in the profit and loss statement for Q4.
Definition: A casual term used in finance to describe a conservative or risk-averse investor, often retail.
Example: Aunt Jane portfolios usually consist of fixed deposits, PPFs, and traditional insurance plans.
Definition: Individuals permitted by brokers or DPs to act on their behalf for certain official transactions.
Example: An authorized assistant submitted client KYC documents during account opening.
Definition: The maximum share capital that a company is legally allowed to issue as per its charter.
Example: The startup revised its authorized capital from ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore to issue fresh equity.
Definition: A facility in mutual funds where dividends or interest are automatically used to purchase additional units.
Example: The investor opted for automatic reinvestment of dividends in their growth mutual fund plan.
Definition: A measure of the average increase in an investment's value over multiple years, without compounding.
Example: AAGR of 10% implies the portfolio grew by that average rate over 5 years.
Definition: An investment strategy where additional units are bought at different prices to reduce the overall average cost per unit.
Example: The investor used averaging by purchasing shares during every market dip to lower their cost basis.
Finance Terms Starting from "B" (69 no.s Most Popular and Important )
Definition: A baby bond is a small-denomination bond, typically under $1,000, often issued by corporations in the U.S. to attract retail investors.
Example: A utility company offers baby bonds worth $500 each to attract individual investors seeking steady interest income.
Definition: The back office refers to the administrative and support personnel who handle operations like settlements, accounting, and compliance in financial institutions.
Example: The back office reconciles all trade transactions to ensure client accounts are updated accurately.
Definition: Backwardation is a market condition where the current price of an asset is higher than the price in the futures market, often indicating demand pressure.
Example: Crude oil in backwardation signals higher current demand than future delivery prices.
Definition: Badla was a carry-forward trading mechanism in India where investors could postpone settlement by paying a charge, now replaced by rolling settlement.
Example: An investor used badla to carry forward a large position without taking immediate delivery.
Definition: Badla charge or contango refers to the fee paid to defer settlement in a carry-forward transaction, commonly used before the rolling system.
Example: A trader paid a badla charge to postpone stock delivery in a rising market.
Definition: Badliwalas were financiers or speculators who provided funds in the Badla system, earning from the interest or badla charge.
Example: Badliwalas made profits by lending shares to carry-forward trades before 2001.
Definition: When institutional investors or underwriters step in to buy unsold shares in a public issue to prevent failure, it is termed as a bailout.
Example: LIC bailed out a PSU issue to maintain market confidence.
Definition: A balance sheet is a financial statement showing a company’s assets, liabilities, and equity at a specific point in time.
Example: The balance sheet of TCS listed ₹80,000 Cr in assets as of March 31.
Definition: A balanced fund is a mutual fund that invests in a mix of equities and fixed income instruments to reduce risk and improve stability.
Example: An investor chooses a balanced fund to combine capital growth with income.
Definition: Bancassurance is the partnership between a bank and an insurance company to distribute insurance products through bank branches.
Example: HDFC Bank offers life insurance via bancassurance with HDFC Life.
Definition: It refers to stock prices that are locked in upper or lower circuit limits and are not moving due to lack of liquidity.
Example: A penny stock hit 5% upper circuit and was trading at band ke bhao for the day.
Definition: A banker’s acceptance is a short-term credit investment issued by a company guaranteed by a commercial bank.
Example: An importer uses a banker’s acceptance to pay a supplier overseas, with the bank guaranteeing the payment.
Definition: A Bank Investment Contract (BIC) is a product offered by banks that provides a guaranteed return over a specific period.
Example: A pension fund invests in a 5-year bank investment contract for stable income.
Definition: A banker to an issue is a designated bank responsible for collecting application money during a public issue of shares.
Example: SBI acted as the banker to the LIC IPO, accepting investor applications.
Definition: Basis is the difference between the spot price of an asset and its corresponding futures price.
Example: If gold spot is ₹50,000 and futures is ₹50,200, the basis is -₹200.
Definition: A basis point is one hundredth of a percent (0.01%), commonly used in interest rate changes or yield spreads.
Example: RBI increased repo rate by 25 basis points (0.25%) in the monetary policy review.
Definition: Basis risk is the risk that arises when the hedge does not move in line with the underlying asset's price movement.
Example: A fund holding gold may face basis risk if its gold ETF does not perfectly track gold prices.
Definition: Basis of allotment is the document showing how IPO shares are distributed among applicants.
Example: In a highly oversubscribed IPO, the basis of allotment was 1 lot per 10 applicants.
Definition: A bear is a market participant who believes prices will fall and may take short positions.
Example: Bears dominate the market during global crises by selling off risky assets.
Definition: A bear hug is a takeover offer made at a significant premium to pressure the target company's board to accept.
Example: A tech giant gave a bear hug offer to a startup with a 50% premium on its stock value.
Definition: A bear market is a prolonged period where asset prices fall by 20% or more from recent highs.
Example: The 2008 financial crisis led to a global bear market across all major indices.
Definition: A bear trap is a false signal indicating a reversal of an upward trend, leading traders to wrongly short the asset.
Example: Traders shorted Nifty at 17,500 expecting a crash, but the index quickly rebounded, trapping bears.
Definition: Bearer securities are unregistered bonds or stocks where possession equates to ownership, making them easily transferable and anonymous.
Example: Bearer bonds used to be popular for tax-free income before tighter regulations were enforced.
Definition: Behavioral economics studies how psychological, emotional, and social factors affect financial decision-making.
Example: Investors often follow herd mentality due to behavioral biases like FOMO (fear of missing out).
Definition: A bellwether is a stock or indicator that reflects the overall trend or sentiment of the broader market.
Example: Reliance Industries is considered a bellwether for the Indian equity market.
Definition: A benchmark is a standard against which the performance of a security, mutual fund, or portfolio is compared.
Example: Nifty 50 is the benchmark index used by Indian mutual funds to measure large-cap performance.
Definition: A benchmark index is a representative index of a market segment, used to evaluate fund performance.
Example: Fund ABC has outperformed its benchmark index BSE Sensex by 2% annually.
Definition: The beneficial owner is the real owner of securities, even if they're held in another name for legal or nominee purposes.
Example: The demat account holder is the beneficial owner of all securities held in it.
Definition: Benefit-cost ratio is a financial metric comparing the benefits of an investment to its costs.
Example: A solar project with a benefit-cost ratio of 1.5 yields ₹1.5 for every ₹1 spent.
Definition: Beta measures a stock's volatility relative to the market; a beta >1 indicates higher risk and returns.
Example: A stock with a beta of 1.2 moves 20% more than the market on average.
Definition: A bid is the highest price a buyer is willing to pay for a security in a trading environment.
Example: The highest bid for Infosys shares stood at ₹1,470 on the NSE.
Definition: Bid spread is the difference between the highest and lowest bid for a security.
Example: A ₹2 bid spread on a stock indicates low market liquidity or uncertainty.
Definition: The bid–ask spread is the difference between the highest price a buyer offers and the lowest price a seller will accept.
Example: If a stock's bid is ₹100 and the ask is ₹102, the bid–ask spread is ₹2.
Definition: Bilateral netting is the process of offsetting mutual obligations between two parties to reduce the number of transactions and risk.
Example: Banks A and B net their dues to avoid settling multiple gross payments.
Definition: A mathematical model used to price European-style options based on various market parameters.
Example: Traders use the Black-Scholes model to find theoretical prices for call options on stocks.
Definition: A blank transfer is an unsigned share transfer form, allowing shares to be sold without changing ownership until needed.
Example: Investors once used blank transfers to keep trading anonymous before dematerialization.
Definition: Block trading is the sale or purchase of a large quantity of securities, usually executed off-market to minimize price impact.
Example: A mutual fund executed a block trade of 10 lakh shares of a blue-chip stock.
Definition: A blow out occurs when an underwriter fails to sell all securities in an issue, or a bond’s yield surges due to default risk.
Example: A junk bond faced a blow out with yields spiking after credit downgrade.
Definition: Blue chip stocks belong to well-established, financially sound companies with strong market reputations.
Example: Infosys and Reliance are classic examples of blue chip stocks in India.
Definition: Blue Sky Laws are U.S. state regulations designed to protect investors from securities fraud.
Example: A company must comply with Blue Sky Laws before offering stocks to U.S. residents.
Definition: Definition: A boiler room is a fraudulent operation where salespeople use high-pressure tactics to sell worthless or overhyped securities.
Example: Unsuspecting investors were scammed by a boiler room promoting fake IPOs.
Definition: A bond is a fixed-income security representing a loan from an investor to a borrower with periodic interest payments.
Example: An investor buys a 5-year SBI bond offering 7% annual interest.
Definition: A bond trust is a legal arrangement where a trustee manages and oversees bondholder interests on behalf of the issuing entity.
Example: A corporate bond issue may appoint a trustee bank to manage the bond trust.
Definition: Bonus shares are additional shares given to existing shareholders without extra cost, based on the number of shares held.
Example: A 1:1 bonus means shareholders get 1 extra share for every share they own.
Definition: The book building process is a method of IPO pricing where investor bids determine the final offer price.
Example: An IPO with a price band of ₹95–₹105 discovers ₹102 as the final price through book building.
Definition: Book closure is the date on which a company closes its register to determine eligible shareholders for dividends or rights.
Example: If book closure is 15th June, only those holding shares by then get the declared dividend.
Definition: A book runner is the lead investment bank managing the book building process and underwriting for an IPO.
Example: ICICI Securities acted as the book runner for a government disinvestment IPO.
Definition: Book value is the net value of a company's assets minus liabilities, often shown per share.
Example: A stock trading below book value may be considered undervalued by investors.
Definition: A boom refers to a period of strong economic growth and rising stock prices across markets.
Example: The Indian markets witnessed a boom in 2021 after post-COVID recovery.
Definition: This refers to the number of advancing vs. declining stocks, indicating overall market strength.
Example: Market breadth was strong with 1,200 advances and only 300 declines.
Definition: Break in financial markets refers to a sudden and sharp decline in asset prices, often unexpected.
Example: The Sensex had a 1,200-point break after unexpected inflation data.
Definition: Break-even point is when total costs equal total revenues, or when an investment recovers its cost.
Example: A trader’s break-even point is ₹400 if they bought shares at ₹390 and paid ₹10 in brokerage.
Definition: A broad-based fund is an investment fund with a diverse portfolio across sectors and assets, often used in sub-account structures under FPI norms.
Example: An FPI sub-account under a broad-based fund invested in both Indian equities and bonds.
Definition: A broker is a licensed intermediary who buys and sells securities on behalf of investors and earns a commission.
Example: Zerodha acts as a broker facilitating stock transactions for retail traders.
Definition: Brokerage is the fee or commission charged by a broker for executing buy and sell orders.
Example: A 0.1% brokerage was charged on the ₹10,000 stock purchase.
Definition: A broker-dealer is a firm or individual that trades securities for clients (as a broker) and for itself (as a dealer).
Example: ICICI Securities is a registered broker-dealer providing both client and proprietary trading services.
Definition: A bubble refers to a sharp rise in asset prices driven by exuberant market behavior, far exceeding intrinsic value, followed by a crash.
Example: The Dotcom bubble burst in 2000 after tech stock prices crashed.
Definition: A bucket shop is a fraudulent brokerage that executes fake trades or bets on stock movements without real transactions.
Example: Investors were duped by a bucket shop falsely claiming to invest in blue-chip stocks.
Definition: Bucketing occurs when brokers confirm client orders but don’t actually execute them in the market, instead betting against them.
Example: Bucketing practices are illegal and violate client trust and trading regulations.
Definition: A bull is an investor who believes that the market or a specific stock will rise in value.
Example: Bulls dominated the Indian stock market during the 2020–21 post-COVID recovery rally.
Definition: A bull market is a sustained period of rising asset prices, typically marked by investor confidence and economic growth.
Example: The Nifty 50 saw a bull market from April 2020 to December 2021 with consistent gains.
Definition: A bulldog bond is a bond issued in the UK by a foreign entity, denominated in British pounds.
Example: An Indian company issued a bulldog bond in London to raise funds in GBP.
Definition: Buoyancy in finance refers to the market’s or economy’s ability to remain positive and resilient during uncertainties.
Example: Despite global selloffs, the Indian market showed buoyancy due to strong domestic demand.
Definition: A business day refers to any working day when financial markets and institutions are open for trading or operations.
Example: Mutual fund NAV is calculated based on transactions done on a business day.
Definition: A butterfly spread is an options strategy combining bull and bear spreads to profit from low volatility and minimal movement in price.
Example: A trader executes a butterfly spread on Nifty expecting sideways movement before expiry.
Definition: Buy back is when a company purchases its own shares from the market, often to improve valuations or return cash to shareholders.
Example: TCS announced a buy back at ₹4,150 to reward existing shareholders.
Definition: A Buyer’s Comparison Memo is a document highlighting discrepancies or objections in securities settlement or trades.
Example: An objection statement was issued due to mismatch in quantity delivered versus billed.
Definition: Buying-in is a stock exchange procedure where shares are purchased on behalf of a buyer when the seller fails to deliver on time.
Example: NSE conducted buying-in for shares not delivered by the seller on the settlement day.
Definition: Buying on margin involves borrowing funds from a broker to purchase stocks, using the securities as collateral.
Example: A trader buys shares worth ₹1 lakh with ₹50,000 margin loan from the broker.
Finance Terms Starting from "C" (79 no.s Most Important & Popular)
Definition: CEDEL (now part of Clearstream) was an international clearing house for the settlement of securities transactions, especially in Eurobonds.
Example: European banks used CEDEL to settle cross-border bond trades efficiently.
Definition: A calendar spread involves buying and selling options with the same strike price but different expiration dates to profit from time decay.
Example: A trader executes a Nifty calendar spread by selling May options and buying June options.
Definition: Call money refers to short-term funds lent by banks or financial institutions, repayable on demand.
Example: Banks borrow call money from RBI for overnight liquidity needs.
Definition: A call option gives the holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy an asset at a specified price before expiry.
Example: An investor buys a Reliance call option with a ₹2500 strike price expecting a price rise.
Definition: CAPM is a model that calculates expected return on an asset based on its risk relative to the market (beta).
Example: A stock with higher beta requires higher returns as per CAPM.
Definition: Capital gain distribution refers to profits shared with investors by mutual funds from selling appreciated securities.
Example: ABC Mutual Fund distributed capital gains of ₹3 per unit at year-end.
Definition: Carry over margin is the extra collateral required to carry forward open positions to the next trading cycle.
Example: A trader paid carry over margin to retain Nifty futures beyond expiry.
Definition: Cash list refers to stocks that are not traded in the derivatives segment and must be settled in full upfront.
Example: Penny stocks are generally listed in the cash list and settled without leverage.
Definition: The cash market is where securities are bought and sold for immediate delivery and payment.
Example: A trader buys Infosys shares in the cash market for delivery in his demat account.
Definition: Cash settlement involves settling a contract by paying the difference in value rather than delivering the asset.
Example: Stock index options are settled in cash without delivery of shares.
Definition: Cats and Dogs refer to low-quality, speculative stocks with poor financial performance or unstable businesses.
Example: Penny stocks with irregular volumes are often labeled as Cats and Dogs in market slang.
Definition: CDSC is a fee charged on mutual fund redemptions if withdrawn before a specified period, to discourage early exits.
Example: A 1% CDSC applied on withdrawal of mutual funds within 1 year of purchase.
Definition: The Central Listing Authority (CLA) was an Indian regulatory body that reviewed applications for listing securities across exchanges.
Example: Companies submitted listing proposals to CLA before it was integrated into SEBI processes.
Definition: A certificate of deposit is a fixed-term deposit issued by banks with specified interest and maturity.
Example: An investor buys a 6-month CD from a nationalized bank at 7% annual interest.
Definition: Chalu Upla is a colloquial term referring to stocks with high daily volatility or price fluctuations.
Example: Traders avoid chalu upla stocks due to unpredictable price swings.
Definition: Chartist analysis involves studying historical price charts and technical indicators to predict future stock movements.
Example: A chartist uses RSI and moving averages to time entry into TCS stock.
Definition: This refers to the security with the lowest cost that can be delivered to settle a futures contract.
Example: Among eligible bonds, the 7.17% 2030 G-Sec was the cheapest to deliver against the futures contract.
Definition: Chinese walls are ethical barriers within financial institutions to prevent conflict of interest between departments.
Example: A bank’s trading and research arms operate under a Chinese wall to ensure compliance.
Definition: Churning is the unethical practice of excessive trading by a broker to generate commissions, harming the client.
Example: The regulator penalized a brokerage for churning retail investor accounts.
Definition: Circuit breakers are mechanisms that halt trading when prices move beyond set thresholds to curb panic selling or buying.
Example: Nifty hit a lower circuit breaker after falling 10% during early COVID panic.
Definition: Circular trading is a fraudulent practice where the same shares are traded among a group to artificially inflate volumes and prices.
Example: SEBI investigated circular trading between connected brokers to manipulate small-cap prices.
Definition: A clean float is a currency exchange system where the value is determined purely by market forces without government intervention.
Example: The USD-INR exchange rate is not a clean float due to RBI interventions.
Definition: Clearing is the process of reconciling purchase and sale transactions before final settlement in stock markets.
Example: Clearing houses ensure trade confirmations before money or securities are exchanged.
Definition: A clearing house acts as an intermediary ensuring smooth settlement of trades between buyers and sellers.
Example: NSCCL is the clearing house for trades on the NSE.
Definition: A clearing member is an entity registered with the clearing corporation to settle trades on behalf of trading members or clients.
Example: HDFC Securities is a clearing member for its retail and institutional clients.
Definition: Close-out netting allows combining all open contracts with a defaulting party into one obligation, reducing credit risk.
Example: In case of a broker default, the exchange applies close-out-netting to calculate the final amount owed.
Definition: Closing out refers to the act of reversing a trade to exit an open position in the market.
Example: A trader sells his futures contract to close out his long position before expiry.
Definition: A close-ended fund has a fixed maturity and doesn’t allow entry or exit after the initial offer, unlike open-ended funds.
Example: A 3-year close-ended debt fund was launched with a lock-in till 2026.
Definition: The closing price is the last traded price of a security at the end of the trading session.
Example: Infosys closed at ₹1,470 on NSE, indicating the day’s closing price.
Definition: A coercive tender offer pressures shareholders to sell their stake quickly by creating fear of loss or disadvantage later.
Example: A hostile acquirer used a coercive tender offer to take control of a midcap company.
Definition: A collar agreement is an options strategy that limits both upside and downside by using a combination of call and put options.
Example: An investor uses a collar strategy to protect gains on HDFC shares within a range.
Definition: A CMO is a structured debt security backed by mortgage loans, divided into tranches with varying risk and maturity.
Example: Pension funds invest in CMOs to gain exposure to real estate-backed instruments.
Definition: It is a company formed to manage collective investment schemes or mutual funds, regulated under SEBI norms.
Example: XYZ Mutual Fund operates as a collective investment management company.
Definition: CIS is an investment scheme where funds from multiple investors are pooled and managed on their behalf.
Example: A real estate pooling initiative registered under SEBI as a CIS attracted retail participation.
Definition: Commercial paper is an unsecured, short-term debt instrument issued by companies to meet working capital needs.
Example: Reliance issued commercial papers at 6.5% to raise ₹500 crore for short-term obligations.
Definition: Common stock represents ownership in a company and entitles shareholders to vote and receive dividends.
Example: Owning common stock in Infosys allows shareholders to vote in its AGM.
Definition: A competitive bid is a proposal made by investors to purchase securities at a specified price in auctions or IPOs.
Example: Institutional investors submitted competitive bids for the bond issuance at RBI auction.
Definition: Composite issues combine both public and rights offerings in a single issuance by a company.
Example: A listed company opted for a composite issue to raise capital through both public and existing shareholders.
Definition: Compulsory delisting occurs when a company is forcibly removed from the stock exchange due to non-compliance.
Example: BSE ordered compulsory delisting of XYZ Ltd for violating listing norms.
Definition: The confirmation process involves verifying the details of executed trades between counterparties before settlement.
Example: Broker and clearing house completed the confirmation process for large institutional trades.
Definition: An SGL account is maintained by institutions like banks with the RBI for holding government securities in electronic form.
Example: A mutual fund uses a constituent SGL account to manage its G-Sec holdings via the custodian bank.
Definition: Continuous disclosure refers to the obligation of listed companies to regularly disclose material information affecting investor decisions.
Example: A listed firm reported a board change under continuous disclosure requirements.
Definition: Continuous Net Settlement (CNS) is a clearing process where buy and sell positions are netted daily to reduce settlement risk.
Example: The NSCCL uses CNS to streamline trade settlement and reduce counterparty exposure.
Definition: The contract month is the month in which a futures or options contract expires and is settled.
Example: A trader holds a Nifty Futures contract with a May contract month expiry.
Definition: A contract note is a legally mandated document issued by brokers to clients confirming executed trades with all details.
Example: After buying Reliance shares, the broker emailed a contract note with trade summary.
Definition: Control of management refers to the authority to direct a company’s operations, policies, and decision-making.
Example: Promoters lost control of management after majority shares were acquired in an open offer.
Definition: A controlling interest is a large enough stake in a company to influence or determine its strategic direction and decisions.
Example: A private equity firm acquired 55% controlling interest in a mid-cap listed company.
Definition: In finance, convergence is the tendency of different financial instruments, rates, or indices to move toward a common value.
Example: Spot and futures prices of crude oil showed convergence near contract expiry.
Definition: Conversion price is the predetermined price at which a convertible security can be converted into equity shares.
Example: A debenture with a ₹250 conversion price can be converted into equity if stock exceeds ₹250.
Definition: Conversion ratio is the number of equity shares received when a convertible security is exchanged.
Example: A conversion ratio of 4:1 means 1 bond converts to 4 equity shares.
Definition: A convertible bond is a type of debt security that can be converted into a predetermined number of company shares.
Example: The company issued ₹100 crore convertible bonds with a 3-year maturity and 1:10 conversion option.
Definition: Corners occur when an individual or group gains control of a large portion of a security to manipulate its price.
Example: SEBI investigated a cornering attempt in a low-volume small-cap stock.
Definition: Corporate governance refers to the systems and processes by which companies are directed and controlled.
Example: TCS adheres to high standards of corporate governance, ensuring transparency and accountability.
Definition: Corporate raiders are investors who acquire significant stakes in undervalued firms, often for hostile takeovers.
Example: A known corporate raider bought a 20% stake in a mid-cap firm and called for a board reshuffle.
Definition: Corporate restructuring is the reorganization of a company’s operations, assets, or structure to improve efficiency or profitability.
Example: A merger and asset sale were part of the telecom company’s corporate restructuring plan.
Definition: A correction is a temporary decline in stock or market prices of at least 10% from recent highs.
Example: Nifty underwent a 12% correction in March due to global inflation fears.
Definition: Counter party risk is the chance that the other party in a transaction may default on its contractual obligation.
Example: In derivatives, exchanges act as counterparty to reduce counter party risk.
Definition: A coupon is the annual interest payment made to bondholders, usually expressed as a percentage of face value.
Example: A 7% coupon bond pays ₹70 annually for every ₹1,000 face value.
Definition: Coupon rate is the fixed interest rate paid on a bond, based on its face value.
Example: The SBI bond with a ₹1,000 face value carries a 6.5% coupon rate.
Definition: Cover refers to the act of buying back securities to close a short position or meet margin requirements.
Example: Traders rushed to cover shorts after a surprise rally in banking stocks.
Definition: Covered call writing is an options strategy where an investor sells a call option while owning the underlying stock.
Example: An investor holds Infosys shares and writes a covered call to earn premium income.
Definition: Covered put writing involves selling a put option while holding a short position in the underlying asset.
Example: A trader sells a put on Reliance while shorting the stock, executing a covered put strategy.
Definition: A covered warrant is a derivative issued by financial institutions giving holders the right to buy or sell an asset at a set price.
Example: Investors traded covered warrants on large-cap stocks issued by an NBFC.
Definition: A credit rating is an assessment of a borrower's creditworthiness by independent agencies based on their ability to repay.
Example: CRISIL assigned AAA rating to a PSU bond indicating highest safety.
Definition: A credit rating agency evaluates and publishes ratings for companies and financial instruments, aiding investor decisions.
Example: ICRA and CARE are SEBI-registered credit rating agencies in India.
Definition: Credit risk is the risk that a borrower may default on their debt obligations, leading to financial loss.
Example: NBFCs assess credit risk before disbursing business loans to MSMEs.
Definition: Cross collateralization is the use of one asset to secure multiple loans or obligations.
Example: A business used factory and land as cross collateral for two different loans.
Definition: Cross hedging is using a related but not identical asset to hedge against price fluctuations of another asset.
Example: An airline hedges jet fuel exposure by trading crude oil futures in cross hedging.
Definition: Cross margining allows margin benefits by offsetting positions across different but correlated markets or segments.
Example: NSE offers cross margining for equity and futures positions to reduce capital requirements.
Definition: A cross-rate is the exchange rate between two currencies derived via a third common currency, typically USD.
Example: INR/JPY rate was computed using INR/USD and USD/JPY cross-rate.
Definition: Cum is a Latin term meaning 'with', commonly used in phrases like 'cum dividend' indicating that the buyer is entitled to receive the declared dividend.
Example: Shares bought cum-dividend before the record date make the buyer eligible for dividend.
Definition: These are preference shares that accumulate unpaid dividends and can be converted into equity shares after a specific period.
Example: Investors in cumulative convertible preference shares received missed dividends plus equity upon conversion.
Definition: Cumulative preference shares entitle holders to receive all unpaid past dividends before any are paid to equity shareholders.
Example: The company cleared two years of arrears to cumulative preference shareholders before equity dividends.
Definition: Current assets are short-term assets that are expected to be converted into cash within a year, such as inventory, cash, and receivables.
Example: The balance sheet showed ₹25 lakh in current assets including inventory and bank balance.
Definition: Current liabilities are financial obligations a company must settle within a year, such as accounts payable and short-term loans.
Example: Current liabilities included ₹10 lakh in trade payables and a working capital loan.
Definition: Current ratio is a liquidity metric that compares a company’s current assets to its current liabilities, indicating short-term financial health.
Example: A current ratio of 2.5 means the firm has ₹2.5 in assets for every ₹1 in liabilities.
Definition: Current yield is the annual return on a bond or security based on its current price, not its face value.
Example: A bond trading at ₹950 with ₹80 annual interest has a current yield of 8.42%.
Definition: A custodian is a financial institution that holds and safeguards a firm’s or individual’s securities and assets.
Example: HDFC Bank acted as a custodian for mutual funds and FPIs holding Indian stocks.
Definition: Custody risk is the risk of loss of securities due to the custodian’s failure, fraud, or negligence.
Example: Investors faced custody risk when an overseas broker went bankrupt holding Indian equities.
Finance Terms Starting from "D" (52 no.s Most Popular and Important )
Definition: Dabba trading is an illegal trading practice where trades are not routed through stock exchanges but settled internally by brokers.
Example: SEBI raided a firm conducting dabba trading without reporting to the exchange.
Definition: Daily margin is the collateral traders must maintain to cover potential losses from daily price fluctuations in derivatives.
Example: A trader was required to add ₹5,000 to meet daily margin shortfall in Nifty Futures.
Definition: A daisy chain is a form of market manipulation where a group of traders create misleading price movements through coordinated trades.
Example: Authorities uncovered a daisy chain in penny stocks to trap retail investors.
Definition: Dalal Street is the financial hub of Mumbai, synonymous with the Indian stock market and home to BSE.
Example: Positive global cues lifted investor sentiment across Dalal Street.
Definition: A dawn raid is a strategy where a company acquires a large stake in a target firm early in the trading day to gain control.
Example: An aggressive investor executed a dawn raid to acquire a majority stake stealthily.
Definition: A day order is a buy or sell order valid only for the trading day; it expires if not executed by market close.
Example: A trader placed a day order to buy SBI at ₹550, which got executed by noon.
Definition: A day trader buys and sells financial instruments within the same day, profiting from short-term price movements.
Example: The day trader exited all positions before the market closed to avoid overnight risk.
Definition: A dealer is a financial intermediary who buys and sells securities on their own account to provide market liquidity.
Example: Bond dealers quoted both buy and sell prices to institutional clients.
Definition: Debentures are unsecured debt instruments issued by companies to raise long-term capital, offering fixed interest.
Example: The company raised ₹100 crore by issuing 10-year non-convertible debentures.
Definition: A debenture trustee is appointed to protect the interests of debenture holders and ensure compliance with terms.
Example: IDBI Trusteeship Services acted as the debenture trustee for the corporate bond issue.
Definition: Deferred futures are contracts with expiration dates set in months further out compared to nearby contracts.
Example: A trader rolled over his crude oil position into a deferred futures contract expiring in three months.
Definition: Deferred net settlement is a clearing process where transactions are accumulated and settled at a specified future time.
Example: RBI settles interbank payments using deferred net settlement at the end of the day.
Definition: A defined benefit plan provides fixed retirement income to employees based on tenure and salary, funded by the employer.
Example: Many government employees are covered under defined benefit pension plans.
Definition: A defined contribution plan involves fixed employee and/or employer contributions, with retirement benefits based on fund performance.
Example: NPS is a defined contribution plan where the pension depends on accumulated returns.
Definition: Delisting exchange refers to the stock exchange from which a company's securities are removed, voluntarily or compulsorily.
Example: The company chose BSE as the delisting exchange for its buyback plan.
Definition: Delisting means removal of a company's shares from stock exchange, making them unavailable for trading.
Example: The board approved delisting of XYZ Ltd after promoter buyout.
Definition: Delivery in stock trading means transfer of securities from seller’s demat to buyer’s demat account after trade settlement.
Example: The shares bought on Monday were credited after T+1 delivery.
Definition: A delivery notice is a formal notification by a seller indicating intent to deliver the underlying asset in a futures contract.
Example: The commodity trader issued a delivery notice before contract expiry on CME.
Definition: Delivery order is a written instruction to transfer specified goods or securities from a seller to a buyer.
Example: The clearing corporation issued a delivery order for physical settlement of gold contracts.
Definition: Delivery price is the price at which a futures contract is settled upon delivery of the underlying asset.
Example: The delivery price for cotton futures was fixed at ₹68,000 per bale.
Definition: Dematerialisation is the process of converting physical share certificates into electronic form stored in a demat account.
Example: Investors dematerialised old paper shares by submitting them to their DP.
Definition: Demutualization is the transformation of a member-owned exchange into a shareholder-owned company.
Example: NSE was launched as a demutualized exchange, unlike traditional broker-owned structures.
Definition: A depository is an institution that holds securities in electronic form and facilitates their trading and transfer.
Example: NSDL and CDSL are India's two major depositories handling demat accounts.
Definition: A DP acts as an intermediary between investors and the depository, managing demat accounts and related services.
Example: Zerodha is a depository participant of CDSL, offering demat account services.
Definition: Depreciation is the reduction in the value of an asset over time due to wear and tear or obsolescence.
Example: A company's annual report showed ₹5 lakh depreciation on machinery.
Definition: Depth of market displays real-time bid and ask orders for a security, indicating liquidity and trading interest.
Example: Traders used depth of market on their terminal to evaluate order flow before entry.
Definition: Deregulation is the process of reducing or eliminating government rules in an industry to enhance competition and efficiency.
Example: Deregulation of Indian banking led to private sector participation in the 1990s.
Definition: The derivative market is a financial market for trading contracts whose value is derived from underlying assets.
Example: Nifty Futures and Options are traded in India’s derivative market segment.
Definition: A derivative is a financial contract whose value depends on an underlying asset like stocks, bonds, or commodities.
Example: A stock option is a derivative based on the underlying stock’s price movement.
Definition: Direct quotation expresses the value of a foreign currency in terms of the domestic currency.
Example: INR 83.20 per USD is a direct quotation in India.
Definition: A dirty float is a currency system where the exchange rate is mostly market-determined but influenced by government intervention.
Example: The RBI occasionally intervenes to stabilize the INR, making it a dirty float system.
Definition: Dirty price includes the accrued interest along with the bond’s market price, which the buyer pays.
Example: The dirty price of a bond was ₹1,020 including ₹20 accrued interest.
Definition: Disclosure refers to the act of providing relevant financial or operational information to investors and regulators.
Example: The company made a stock exchange disclosure about a major acquisition.
Definition: A discount refers to a situation where a bond, security, or stock is sold for less than its face or market value.
Example: Government bonds were issued at a 2% discount to attract retail investors.
Definition: Disintermediation is the process of bypassing traditional financial intermediaries to access services directly.
Example: Investors used online platforms to invest in IPOs, promoting financial disintermediation.
Definition: Distribution refers to the process of dispersing securities to investors, or returning income/profit via dividends or interest.
Example: Mutual fund houses declared monthly income distribution to unitholders.
Definition: Distribution analysis is the study of how ownership or trading volume of a stock is spread across market participants.
Example: Analysts performed distribution analysis to gauge promoter versus public shareholding shifts.
Definition: Distribution dates are specific dates when dividends or interest are paid out to eligible investors.
Example: The AMC notified June 10th as the distribution date for its dividend option fund.
Definition: Distribution period refers to the time during which an investment fund pays income to investors.
Example: A bond fund declared quarterly payouts during its distribution period.
Definition: Diversification is a risk management strategy that involves investing across various assets to reduce exposure to any single risk.
Example: A diversified portfolio includes equity, bonds, gold, and international funds to reduce volatility.
Definition: A dividend is a portion of a company's earnings distributed to its shareholders, usually in cash or additional shares.
Example: TCS declared a final dividend of ₹24 per share for FY2024.
Definition: Dividend cover is a financial ratio that shows how many times a company can pay dividends from its net income.
Example: A dividend cover of 3 means the firm’s profits are three times the dividend payout.
Definition: Dividend notification is an official communication to shareholders announcing the declaration, record date, and payment date of dividends.
Example: Infosys issued a dividend notification on NSE and BSE websites before record date.
Definition: Dividend payable is the amount a company owes to its shareholders as declared but not yet paid dividends.
Example: As of March 31st, ₹5 crore was listed as dividend payable in the balance sheet.
Definition: A Wall Street phrase advising investors to align with market trends instead of betting against them.
Example: The bull run continued and analysts cautioned — don’t fight the tape.
Definition: Dotcom stocks refer to technology companies, especially internet-based firms, that were prominent during the 1990s internet boom.
Example: Nasdaq's crash in 2000 was triggered by the bursting of the dotcom stock bubble.
Definition: Downside risk refers to the potential loss or decline in the value of an investment under adverse market conditions.
Example: A small-cap fund has higher downside risk during economic slowdowns.
Definition: Dumping is selling goods in a foreign market at a price lower than in the home market or below cost, often to gain market share.
Example: Anti-dumping duties were imposed on Chinese steel to protect local producers.
Definition: A Dutch auction is a bidding process where the price is lowered until enough buyers agree to buy the available quantity.
Example: Google used a Dutch auction model during its IPO in 2004.
Definition: Dynamic asset allocation adjusts portfolio exposure to different asset classes based on market conditions and outlook.
Example: A dynamic fund reduced equity exposure during high volatility and moved into debt.
Definition: Dynamic hedging is a portfolio management strategy involving frequent adjustments to hedge ratios as market prices change.
Example: The fund manager applied dynamic hedging to reduce Nifty derivative losses.
Finance Terms Starting from "E" (28 no.s Most Popular and Important )
Definition: EDGAR (Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval) is a U.S. SEC system that companies use to file financial documents.
Example: Amazon’s 10-K report was accessed by investors through EDGAR before their earnings call.
Definition: EDIFAR was SEBI’s former online platform for filing financial disclosures by Indian companies before it was replaced.
Example: Indian companies filed quarterly financial statements through EDIFAR until 2010.
Definition: Effective sale refers to the finalized execution of a security transaction, after all conditions are met.
Example: The effective sale of shares occurred once the broker received payment confirmation.
Definition: EFT allows money transfer electronically from one bank account to another, used in trading and settlements.
Example: The broker settled the investor’s dues via NEFT, a type of EFT.
Definition: An ESOP gives employees the right to buy company shares at a fixed price after a vesting period.
Example: Infosys granted 5,000 employee stock options to key developers as part of retention.
Definition: ESPS allows employees to purchase company shares, often at discounted rates, encouraging ownership.
Example: HDFC Bank launched an ESPS giving employees 10% discount on share price.
Definition: Emerging markets are economies transitioning toward developed status with higher growth and risk.
Example: India and Brazil are considered emerging markets with strong investment potential.
Definition: Entry fee is a charge paid by investors when entering a mutual fund scheme or portfolio product.
Example: The fund had a 1% entry fee deducted from the initial investment.
Definition: Equity represents ownership in a company, typically through shares held by individuals or institutions.
Example: Retail investors increased their equity holdings in Tata Motors after Q2 results.
Definition: Equity premium is the excess return expected from investing in stocks over risk-free assets like government bonds.
Example: A 5% equity premium was considered attractive over 10-year G-Sec returns.
Definition: An equity trust is an investment trust focused primarily on equities, often offering income and capital growth.
Example: The investor chose an equity trust that focused on blue-chip Indian companies.
Definition: An escrow account is a temporary account used to hold funds or securities until contractual obligations are met.
Example: IPO refunds were processed via escrow accounts after the subscription closure.
Definition: A Eurobond is a bond issued in a currency not native to the country where it is issued, typically used for international financing.
Example: An Indian company issued Eurobonds in USD to raise funds from global investors.
Definition: Euroequities are shares issued and traded outside the issuer's home country and not denominated in the local currency.
Example: A UK-based company floated euroequities in Frankfurt denominated in euros.
Definition: A European option is a type of options contract that can only be exercised on its expiration date.
Example: The Nifty index options traded on NSE follow the European option style.
Definition: Economic Value Added (EVA) is a measure of a company’s financial performance based on residual wealth after deducting cost of capital.
Example: A positive EVA indicates that the company is generating value beyond its cost of capital.
Definition: Ex indicates a security is traded without the value of the next dividend or right, such as 'ex-dividend' or 'ex-right'.
Example: Shares bought ex-dividend will not qualify the buyer to receive the declared dividend.
Definition: Excess spread policy refers to rules in securitization where remaining income after servicing debts is reinvested or used for protection.
Example: In a mortgage-backed security, the excess spread helped create a reserve for default losses.
Definition: An exchange is a regulated marketplace for trading financial instruments like stocks, derivatives, and bonds.
Example: NSE and BSE are major exchanges where equities and derivatives are traded in India.
Definition: Exchange rate risk is the risk of financial loss due to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates.
Example: Exporters hedge against exchange rate risk using forward contracts.
Definition: An exchange-traded derivative is a standardized financial contract traded on a recognized exchange, offering liquidity and transparency.
Example: Bank Nifty options are exchange-traded derivatives listed on NSE.
Definition: ETFs are marketable securities tracking an index, commodity, or basket of assets and traded like stocks on an exchange.
Example: Nifty BeES is an ETF that tracks the performance of the Nifty 50 index.
Definition: ECBs are loans taken by Indian companies from foreign lenders in foreign currency for commercial purposes.
Example: Reliance raised $1 billion through ECBs for infrastructure expansion.
Definition: The ex-dividend date is the cut-off day when a stock starts trading without dividend rights for that period.
Example: If you buy shares on or after the ex-dividend date, you won’t receive the declared dividend.
Definition: The ex-right date is the date on or after which a stock is traded without the value of a pending rights issue.
Example: If you buy shares on or after the ex-right date, you won't be eligible for the rights issue.
Definition: Exit fees are charges levied when an investor exits a mutual fund or investment before a specified period.
Example: The mutual fund charged a 1% exit fee for redemptions within one year.
Definition: Expected return is the anticipated average return of an investment based on probabilities of various outcomes.
Example: The expected return on the diversified portfolio was calculated at 11.5% annually.
Definition: Extrinsic value is the part of an option’s price that exceeds its intrinsic value, driven by time and volatility.
Example: The option traded at ₹120 with ₹80 intrinsic value, giving ₹40 as extrinsic value.
Finance Terms Starting from "F" (81 no.s Most Popular and Important )
Definition: Face value is the nominal value of a security stated by the issuer, used for accounting and interest calculation.
Example: The bond's face value was ₹1,000, but it traded at ₹980 in the market.
Definition: Fair market value is the price an asset would fetch in an open, competitive market between willing parties.
Example: The fair market value of the shares was assessed at ₹320 for taxation.
Definition: A fallen angel is a bond that was initially rated investment grade but downgraded to junk due to declining credit.
Example: A major NBFC’s bond turned into a fallen angel after the rating was cut to BB.
Definition: A fast market occurs during high volatility when price quotes and execution may lag due to volume surges.
Example: The announcement caused a fast market in banking stocks, disrupting normal order flows.
Definition: FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act) governs foreign donations and investment in India’s non-profits and select sectors.
Example: NGOs receiving international funding must comply with FCRA registration and reporting.
Definition: The Federal Reserve is the central banking system of the U.S., responsible for monetary policy and financial regulation.
Example: The Federal Reserve raised interest rates to control inflation in the U.S. economy.
Definition: Fiat money is currency without intrinsic value, established as legal tender by government regulation.
Example: The Indian rupee is fiat money not backed by gold but by sovereign guarantee.
Definition: A fiduciary is a person or entity legally obligated to act in the best interest of another party, such as a client or beneficiary.
Example: Financial advisors have a fiduciary duty to prioritize client goals over personal gains.
Definition: A Fill or Kill (FOK) order is a stock market order that must be executed immediately in its entirety or be canceled.
Example: A trader placed a FOK order to buy 10,000 shares of TCS — it got canceled as volume was insufficient.
Definition: Final dividend is the dividend declared at the end of a fiscal year after reviewing company performance.
Example: Infosys announced a final dividend of ₹20 per share post annual results.
Definition: Financial assets are intangible assets like stocks, bonds, or bank deposits that derive value from a contractual claim.
Example: Shares held in a demat account are classified as financial assets.
Definition: Financial inclusion refers to making financial services accessible and affordable to all individuals, especially underserved populations.
Example: PM Jan Dhan Yojana promoted financial inclusion by offering zero-balance bank accounts.
Definition: A financial institution is an entity that provides financial services such as loans, savings, insurance, and investments.
Example: HDFC Bank and LIC are prominent financial institutions in India.
Definition: Financial leverage indicates the use of borrowed funds to increase the potential return on investment.
Example: The company’s financial leverage increased after issuing ₹500 crore in debt instruments.
Definition: A financial market is a marketplace where buyers and sellers trade financial assets like stocks, bonds, and derivatives.
Example: The Bombay Stock Exchange is a major financial market in India.
Definition: Financial planning involves assessing current finances, setting long-term goals, and creating a plan to meet those goals.
Example: A young investor started financial planning to build a retirement corpus through SIPs.
Definition: Financial risk refers to the possibility of losing money on an investment due to various market uncertainties.
Example: High debt companies have greater financial risk during interest rate hikes.
Definition: Fintech refers to the integration of technology with financial services to improve access, efficiency, and user experience.
Example: UPI and robo-advisors are key fintech innovations in India's digital economy.
Definition: A firm bid is a binding offer to buy a security at a stated price without conditions.
Example: The underwriter placed a firm bid to purchase 1 lakh equity shares of the IPO.
Definition: Firm allotment is a guaranteed allocation of shares to specific investors before a public issue is opened to general subscription.
Example: Mutual funds received firm allotment in the oversubscribed IPO of a tech company.
Definition: Firm underwriting is when underwriters agree to subscribe to a specified number of shares in a public issue, regardless of public response.
Example: The bank provided firm underwriting of 10 lakh shares in the IPO.
Definition: Fiscal deficit occurs when a government's total expenditure exceeds its total revenue, excluding borrowings.
Example: India's fiscal deficit target for FY2024 was set at 5.9% of GDP.
Definition: Fiscal policy involves government decisions on taxation and spending to influence the economy.
Example: The Union Budget used expansionary fiscal policy to boost infrastructure spending.
Definition: Fixed assets are long-term tangible assets used in business operations, such as buildings, land, and equipment.
Example: The factory building was listed as a fixed asset in the company’s balance sheet.
Definition: Fixed capital refers to investment in long-term assets required to run a business like machinery or land.
Example: The startup required ₹5 crore in fixed capital to set up production units.
Definition: Fixed charge is a secured interest placed on specific assets to ensure loan repayment.
Example: The lender had a fixed charge on the company’s manufacturing plant as collateral.
Definition: A fixed deposit is a financial instrument where money is deposited with a bank for a fixed tenure at a guaranteed interest rate.
Example: She invested ₹2 lakh in a 5-year fixed deposit at 7% interest.
Definition: Fixed income refers to investments that provide regular, fixed interest payments, like bonds or FDs.
Example: Senior citizens prefer fixed income products like government bonds and FDs for safety.
Definition: A fixed price issue is when a company sets the share price for an IPO in advance, unlike book building.
Example: The company offered shares at ₹100 in a fixed price issue.
Definition: Float refers to the number of outstanding shares of a company that are available for public trading.
Example: The company had a free float of 70% of its total share capital.
Definition: A floating rate bond is a debt instrument with variable interest rates linked to a benchmark rate like repo or LIBOR.
Example: RBI issued a floating rate bond linked to the 182-day Treasury Bill yield.
Definition: Floating stock is the number of a company’s shares available for trading by the public, excluding locked-in shares.
Example: The floating stock increased after promoters offloaded a 5% stake.
Definition: Floor price is the minimum price set by a company or regulator below which a security cannot be issued or traded.
Example: The floor price for the OFS was set at ₹120 per share.
Definition: Flotation refers to the process of a company raising capital by issuing shares to the public for the first time.
Example: The startup initiated its flotation to list on NSE via IPO.
Definition: FMC (Forward Markets Commission) was the former regulator for commodity futures trading in India, now merged with SEBI.
Example: FMC ensured compliance of trading rules in the commodity markets before SEBI took over.
Definition: FPO is the process by which a listed company issues additional shares to the public after its IPO.
Example: Coal India launched an FPO to raise ₹10,000 crore for disinvestment.
Definition: FCCB is a bond issued in foreign currency by Indian companies that can be converted into equity shares.
Example: The IT firm raised $200 million through FCCBs for global expansion.
Definition: FCEBs are bonds issued in foreign currency that are exchangeable into equity shares of a different company.
Example: A holding company issued FCEBs linked to its subsidiary’s shares listed on NSE.
Definition: FDI is the investment made by a foreign entity directly into a business or project in another country.
Example: India received over $70 billion in FDI in FY23, with major contributions in manufacturing.
Definition: FIIs are foreign entities like mutual funds and hedge funds investing in Indian financial markets.
Example: FIIs bought ₹15,000 crore worth of Indian equities in January.
Definition: The forex market is a global platform for buying and selling currencies, operating 24 hours a day.
Example: Traders use the forex market to hedge currency exposure in export-import businesses.
Definition: A forward contract is a customized agreement between two parties to buy or sell an asset at a future date at a set price.
Example: The exporter signed a forward contract to sell USD at ₹83 after three months.
Definition: The forward market is where participants enter into agreements to trade assets at future dates with predetermined prices.
Example: Commodity producers use the forward market to lock in future selling prices.
Definition: Forward rate is the agreed-upon interest rate or exchange rate for a future transaction, derived from current market conditions.
Example: The 6-month forward rate for USD-INR was ₹84.25.
Definition: Free float refers to the portion of a company's shares that are available for trading in the open market by public investors.
Example: The free float of HDFC Bank was 80%, indicating wide public participation.
Definition: Front running is an illegal practice where a broker places orders based on advance knowledge of pending client trades.
Example: SEBI fined a brokerage firm for front running large client trades in Nifty stocks.
Definition: A front-end load is a fee charged at the time of purchasing a mutual fund, reducing the invested amount.
Example: An investor paid a 1% front-end load while investing ₹1 lakh in a mutual fund.
Definition: FTSE (Financial Times Stock Exchange) is a group of stock market indices tracking performance of companies listed on the London Stock Exchange.
Example: The FTSE 100 index fell due to banking sector weakness across Europe.
Definition: A fully convertible debenture is a debt instrument that can be converted into equity shares after a specified period.
Example: The company issued ₹500 crore fully convertible debentures with a 3-year conversion window.
Definition: A fund is a pooled investment vehicle where investors contribute money to invest in various assets like stocks, bonds, or real estate.
Example: He invested in a balanced fund that allocates money between equity and debt.
Definition: A fund accountant is responsible for calculating the net asset value (NAV) and maintaining the books of investment funds.
Example: The fund accountant reconciled daily NAVs of the mutual fund portfolios.
Definition: A fund manager is a professional responsible for making investment decisions and managing portfolio risks on behalf of investors.
Example: The fund manager increased exposure to midcaps due to expected earnings growth.
Definition: A FoF is a mutual fund that invests in other mutual funds instead of directly buying stocks or bonds.
Example: He chose a Fund of Funds to gain diversified exposure across asset classes.
Definition: Fundamental analysis evaluates a security by analyzing financial statements, industry trends, and economic indicators to estimate its intrinsic value.
Example: She used fundamental analysis to identify undervalued PSU stocks for long-term investment.
Definition: Fungibility means the ability of an asset to be interchangeable with another of the same kind, like cash or listed securities.
Example: Dematerialized shares are fungible and can be traded seamlessly across exchanges.
Definition: Futures are standardized contracts to buy or sell a specific asset at a predetermined price on a future date.
Example: Traders use Nifty futures to speculate or hedge against market movements.
Definition: A futures contract is a standardized agreement to buy or sell an asset at a specified price on a future date.
Example: Traders use Bank Nifty futures contracts for hedging and speculation.
Definition: Futures price is the agreed-upon price for the underlying asset in a futures contract, determined by supply and demand.
Example: The futures price of crude oil surged due to Middle East tensions.
Definition: A family of funds refers to a group of mutual funds managed by the same asset management company under a common brand.
Example: ICICI Prudential offers a family of funds including equity, hybrid, and debt schemes.
Definition: A feeder fund is an investment vehicle that pools investor capital to invest in a master fund, which handles actual investments.
Example: The Indian fund acted as a feeder fund to an offshore US tech-focused master fund.
Definition: A Fill or Kill (FOK) order is an order to buy or sell a stock that must be executed immediately in full or canceled completely.
Example: The trader placed a FOK order for 10,000 shares at ₹200, which was cancelled due to low volume.
Definition: A financial crisis is a severe disruption in financial markets characterized by a collapse in asset prices and institutions.
Example: The 2008 global financial crisis led to a steep fall in stock markets and the failure of major banks.
Definition: In finance, a firewall refers to regulatory or operational barriers that separate financial activities to reduce conflicts of interest or risk.
Example: The investment bank maintained a firewall between its advisory and trading divisions to avoid insider conflicts.
Definition: First In/First Out (FIFO) is an inventory accounting method where the oldest inventory is sold first.
Example: In mutual funds, the FIFO method applies to determine which units were redeemed for taxation.
Definition: This term refers to a bond trading strategy comparing five-year swap rates against bond yields for arbitrage or risk analysis.
Example: Traders analyzed five against bond spread to profit from credit spreads.
Definition: A fixed liability is a financial obligation that is due after a year or over a long-term period.
Example: The company’s fixed liabilities included a 10-year bond issue and long-term loans.
Definition: A flip-in is a poison pill strategy allowing existing shareholders to buy more shares at a discount to dilute a hostile bidder’s stake.
Example: The board approved a flip-in strategy to protect against an aggressive acquisition.
Definition: This plan allows current shareholders to buy shares at a discounted rate if a hostile bidder exceeds a threshold ownership.
Example: A flip-in poison pill plan was triggered when the raider acquired 20% of the company.
Definition: A flip-over is a defense tactic that lets shareholders purchase the acquirer's shares at a discount after a merger.
Example: The company adopted a flip-over mechanism in case of hostile acquisition completion.
Definition: A flip-over poison pill enables shareholders to buy discounted shares of the acquirer if the hostile bid succeeds.
Example: The firm protected its independence using a flip-over poison pill plan strategy.
Definition: A floating rate coupon is an interest payment that varies based on a reference rate like LIBOR or MCLR.
Example: The bond offered a floating rate coupon linked to RBI’s repo rate.
Definition: A floor is the minimum interest rate that can be charged or received on a floating-rate instrument.
Example: The bond had a 6% floor to protect investors from falling rates.
Definition: Flow back occurs when foreign investors sell their holdings and repatriate funds due to policy or currency concerns.
Example: Flow back was observed after changes in FDI taxation policy.
Definition: The foreign exchange rate is the value at which one currency can be exchanged for another.
Example: The USD/INR exchange rate moved from ₹82 to ₹83 after inflation data was released.
Definition: FIIs are overseas investors like mutual funds, pension funds, and hedge funds investing in a country’s financial markets.
Example: FIIs increased their exposure in Indian equity markets during the bull run.
Definition: Fortune 500 is an annual list compiled by Fortune magazine ranking the 500 largest U.S. companies by total revenues.
Example: Apple and Walmart regularly feature in the top 10 of the Fortune 500 list.
Definition: A Forward Rate Agreement (FRA) is a contract to lock in an interest rate for a future date, used for hedging or speculation.
Example: A company entered an FRA to fix its borrowing cost six months in advance.
Definition: Free cash flow is the cash a company generates after accounting for capital expenditures, indicating financial health.
Example: The IT company reported a free cash flow of ₹2,000 crore in FY24.
Definition: The free-rider paradox occurs when individuals consume more than their fair share of resources without contributing to the cost.
Example: In stock research, some investors benefit from others' paid analysis without paying themselves.
Definition: A Fund of Funds (FoF) invests in a portfolio of other mutual funds rather than directly in securities.
Example: He invested in a global FoF for diversification across geographies and asset classes.
Definition: Fungible securities are assets that are interchangeable with other assets of the same kind and value.
Example: Demat shares are fungible as they can be traded without distinguishing one from another.
Finance Terms Starting from "G" (37 no.s Most Popular and Important )
Definition: Galla is a local Indian term for the cash register or cash box used in retail shops to collect daily sales revenue.
Example: The shopkeeper closed his galla and reconciled the cash with sales at day-end.
Definition: In finance slang, 'garage' refers to startup companies often operating from humble beginnings like home garages.
Example: Many Silicon Valley giants like HP and Apple began as garage startups.
Definition: Gilt-edged securities are high-grade government bonds considered safe with low default risk and fixed returns.
Example: The RBI issued new gilt-edged securities maturing in 2034 for long-term investors.
Definition: GDRs are financial instruments representing shares in foreign companies, traded on international stock exchanges.
Example: Indian firms use GDRs to raise capital from global investors on European exchanges.
Definition: GLOBEX is the electronic trading platform of the CME Group that allows for 24-hour derivatives trading globally.
Example: Crude oil futures were traded overnight on the GLOBEX system by global participants.
Definition: Golden handcuffs are financial incentives given to employees to retain them, often through bonuses or stock options.
Example: The CTO was offered golden handcuffs in the form of ESOPs to stay during the merger.
Definition: Gearing refers to the ratio of a company's debt to its equity capital, indicating financial leverage.
Example: High gearing suggests greater financial risk during revenue downturns.
Definition: GDR is a negotiable certificate issued by a bank representing shares in a foreign company, traded on international exchanges.
Example: Infosys issued GDRs to attract foreign investors in the London Stock Exchange.
Definition: General insurance provides protection against non-life risks like health, motor, property, and travel-related losses.
Example: He bought a general insurance policy for his car covering damage and third-party liability.
Definition: A gilt fund is a mutual fund that invests primarily in government securities, offering low-risk returns.
Example: Conservative investors prefer gilt funds for their sovereign credit backing.
Definition: Gilt-edged securities are high-grade bonds issued by the government with low default risk.
Example: RBI-issued 10-year gilt-edged securities are favored by pension funds.
Definition: A global fund invests in assets across the world, offering diversification beyond the investor’s home country.
Example: The investor chose a global fund with exposure to US, Europe, and Asia.
Definition: GIPS are ethical standards for investment firms to ensure transparency and comparability of performance reporting.
Example: The fund house adopted GIPS to gain trust from global institutional investors.
Definition: Gold ETFs are mutual fund units representing physical gold, traded on stock exchanges like shares.
Example: He invested in Gold ETFs as a hedge against inflation and currency depreciation.
Definition: Good delivery ensures the physical delivery of commodities or securities meets standard exchange criteria.
Example: The bullion was rejected for not meeting good delivery standards of the exchange.
Definition: GTC is a type of stock market order that remains active until executed or manually cancelled by the investor.
Example: He placed a GTC order to buy shares at ₹100, which was executed after 10 days.
Definition: Golden parachute refers to large financial compensation promised to executives if they are terminated due to a merger or acquisition.
Example: The CEO received a $25 million golden parachute after the acquisition was finalized.
Definition: A golden share gives special voting power, often allowing the government or entity to retain control over strategic decisions.
Example: The government held a golden share in PSU banks to maintain oversight after partial privatization.
Definition: Goodwill is an intangible asset that arises when a company acquires another for more than its net asset value.
Example: The acquiring company recorded ₹1,500 crore as goodwill after the merger.
Definition: A grave dancer is an investor who purchases distressed or undervalued assets during downturns, aiming for revival gains.
Example: Known as a grave dancer, he acquired bankrupt real estate at rock-bottom prices.
Definition: A green shoe option allows underwriters to sell additional shares in an IPO if demand is higher than expected.
Example: The IPO was oversubscribed, triggering the green shoe option to stabilize post-listing prices.
Definition: Greenmail is a tactic where a company pays a premium to a hostile party to repurchase its own shares and prevent a takeover.
Example: The firm paid greenmail to avoid an unsolicited acquisition attempt.
Definition: A grey knight is a third-party bidder competing with both friendly (white knight) and hostile (black knight) bidders during a takeover.
Example: A grey knight emerged with a surprising counterbid during the takeover battle.
Definition: Gross refers to the total amount before any deductions such as taxes, expenses, or fees.
Example: The mutual fund reported a gross return of 14% before deducting management fees.
Definition: Gross spread is the difference between the price paid by investors and the amount received by the issuer in an IPO or debt issue.
Example: The underwriters charged a 3% gross spread for managing the company’s public issue.
Definition: A guaranteed coupon refers to a fixed interest payment promised by certain debt instruments, regardless of market conditions.
Example: The NHAI bond offered a guaranteed coupon of 7.5% annually for 10 years.
Definition: Gun jumping is the illegal practice of prematurely promoting or acting on an IPO or merger before regulatory approval.
Example: The company was fined for gun jumping after announcing merger terms before SEC clearance.
Definition: Government securities are debt instruments issued by the central or state government to finance its fiscal deficit.
Example: RBI conducted an auction of 10-year government securities worth ₹10,000 crore.
Definition: A grace period is the additional time allowed after a payment due date before penalties or interest are charged.
Example: The loan had a 15-day grace period before late fees applied.
Definition: Grievance redressal is the process of resolving complaints from investors or customers through formal channels.
Example: SEBI SCORES platform facilitates grievance redressal for retail investors.
Definition: GDP is the total monetary value of all goods and services produced within a country's borders in a specific time period.
Example: India’s GDP grew by 6.3% in the second quarter of FY24.
Definition: Gross income is the total earnings before taxes or deductions, including salary, rental, interest, and capital gains.
Example: Her gross income from investments and salary was ₹12 lakh per annum.
Definition: Gross margin is the percentage difference between revenue and cost of goods sold, reflecting a company's production efficiency.
Example: The FMCG company reported a gross margin of 52% in the latest quarter.
Definition: A growth fund invests in high-growth potential companies aiming for capital appreciation rather than regular income.
Example: The mutual fund's growth option reinvests profits to boost NAV over time.
Definition: Growth stocks are shares in companies expected to grow at an above-average rate compared to the market.
Example: Infosys and Avenue Supermarts are examples of popular growth stocks in India.
Definition: GIC is a Canadian investment that offers a guaranteed rate of return over a fixed period, similar to fixed deposits.
Example: NRIs investing in Canada opt for GICs as safe fixed-income products.
Definition: A guaranteed return plan offers fixed returns on investments over a term, often bundled with insurance benefits.
Example: LIC’s new guaranteed return plan assures 5.5% annual returns for 10 years.
Finance Terms Starting from "H" (26 no.s Most Popular and Important )
Definition: Haircut refers to the reduction applied to the value of an asset used as collateral in lending or repo transactions.
Example: The bank applied a 20% haircut on the stock portfolio pledged for a loan.
Definition: Hard call protection is a provision that prevents early repayment of a bond during a specified period, ensuring stable returns.
Example: The corporate bond had a 3-year hard call protection clause for investors.
Definition: Hammering the market refers to aggressive selling of stocks, often leading to panic and sharp price declines.
Example: FIIs were blamed for hammering the market during the surprise interest rate hike.
Definition: Hand delivery refers to the physical exchange and settlement of securities or documents between parties.
Example: The broker opted for hand delivery of shares in a private placement deal.
Definition: Hedge funds are private investment funds using diverse strategies to generate returns, including leverage, derivatives, and short-selling.
Example: Hedge funds took contrarian bets during the market crash to deliver alpha.
Definition: Hedge ratio measures the extent of a hedge against price movements by comparing the value of a position to the hedge instrument.
Example: The investor calculated a hedge ratio of 0.8 to protect his equity portfolio using index futures.
Definition: HH Index measures market concentration by summing the squares of individual firm market shares in an industry.
Example: A high HH Index in telecom raised regulatory concerns over reduced competition.
Definition: A horizontal spread is an options trading strategy involving the same strike price but different expiration dates.
Example: He created a horizontal spread in Nifty options to benefit from volatility.
Definition: A hostile bid is an acquisition attempt made without the consent of the target company's board of directors.
Example: The conglomerate launched a hostile bid for the IT firm through open market purchases.
Definition: A hot issue refers to an IPO or newly issued security in high demand, often leading to oversubscription.
Example: The fintech startup’s IPO became a hot issue and was subscribed 12 times.
Definition: A hybrid is a financial instrument or product that combines features of both debt and equity or other asset classes.
Example: A convertible bond is a hybrid instrument offering interest with potential equity conversion.
Definition: Hard currency refers to a globally accepted, stable, and reliable currency widely used in international trade.
Example: USD and EUR are considered hard currencies for global transactions.
Definition: A hard loan is a loan issued in a hard currency, often to developing countries, with strict repayment terms.
Example: The World Bank extended a hard loan to the country in USD for infrastructure development.
Definition: A hedge is an investment made to reduce the risk of adverse price movements in an asset.
Example: The investor bought put options on Nifty stocks to hedge against a potential market fall.
Definition: A hedge fund is a pooled investment fund using advanced strategies to earn active returns for its investors.
Example: The hedge fund invested in short-selling and arbitrage to maximize gains during market volatility.
Definition: Hedging involves taking offsetting positions to protect against potential financial losses in investments.
Example: Exporters use currency futures for hedging against forex rate fluctuations.
Definition: High water mark is the highest peak in value an investment fund must reach before performance fees are charged again.
Example: The fund manager earned fees only after the NAV crossed its previous high water mark.
Definition: High-yield bonds offer higher returns due to greater credit risk and are also known as junk bonds.
Example: The NBFC raised funds through high-yield bonds rated below investment grade.
Definition: Historical volatility measures how much an asset's price fluctuated over a specific past period.
Example: Nifty options pricing factors in historical volatility to assess premium levels.
Definition: A holding company owns controlling stakes in other companies but may not produce goods or services itself.
Example: Berkshire Hathaway is a global example of a holding company with diverse investments.
Definition: Holding period is the time duration an investment is held from the purchase date to the sale date.
Example: For LTCG tax calculation, the equity holding period must exceed 12 months.
Definition: A hostile takeover occurs when a company is acquired against the will of its management, often via open offer or proxy fight.
Example: The large pharma firm initiated a hostile takeover of a smaller biotech rival.
Definition: Hot money refers to capital that moves quickly between financial markets to exploit short-term opportunities.
Example: FIIs pulling out hot money led to sharp corrections in the equity market.
Definition: A Housing Finance Company (HFC) provides loans specifically for housing construction, purchase, or renovation.
Example: HDFC Ltd. is one of India's leading housing finance companies offering home loans.
Definition: A hybrid fund invests in both equity and debt instruments, offering a balance of risk and return.
Example: The hybrid fund allocated 65% to equities and 35% to bonds for moderate risk investors.
Definition: Hypothecation is the practice of pledging movable assets as collateral for a loan without transferring ownership.
Example: The car loan was sanctioned against hypothecation of the vehicle to the bank.
Finance Terms Starting from "i" (44 no.s Most Popular and Important )
Definition: Income distribution is the periodic payout of dividends, interest, or capital gains to investors by mutual funds or trusts.
Example: The mutual fund announced quarterly income distribution to all unit holders.
Definition: Independent directors are non-executive board members who do not have a material or pecuniary relationship with the company.
Example: SEBI mandates listed companies to include independent directors for unbiased governance.
Definition: An indexed asset is a financial instrument whose value is tied to a market index or inflation rate.
Example: Inflation-indexed bonds are indexed assets protecting against rising prices.
Definition: An index fund is a type of mutual fund or ETF that mirrors the performance of a specific market index.
Example: A Nifty 50 index fund invests in all Nifty constituent stocks in the same proportion.
Definition: Index futures are derivative contracts obligating the buyer to purchase or sell a financial index at a future date.
Example: Traders use Nifty index futures to speculate or hedge against market volatility.
Definition: Index option contracts give the right, but not obligation, to buy/sell a market index at a preset price before expiration.
Example: A Nifty call option lets investors gain from market upside with limited risk.
Definition: Index trusts are pooled investment vehicles designed to replicate the performance of a specific stock market index.
Example: The Index Trust closely tracked the performance of the BSE Sensex.
Definition: Indian Depository Receipts (IDRs) allow foreign companies to raise capital in India by issuing receipts representing equity shares.
Example: Standard Chartered issued the first IDR on Indian stock exchanges.
Definition: Initial margin is the minimum amount of capital required to open a position in the derivatives market.
Example: Traders must maintain an initial margin to trade in Nifty futures on NSE.
Definition: An IPO is the process through which a private company offers shares to the public for the first time.
Example: Zomato launched its IPO in 2021 and got oversubscribed multiple times.
Definition: Inside quote refers to the highest bid and lowest ask price for a stock among all market makers.
Example: The inside quote for Apple stock was $151.20 bid and $151.50 ask.
Definition: An insider is a person with access to confidential information about a company, such as executives or directors.
Example: Directors and key employees are considered insiders under SEBI norms.
Definition: Insider trading is the illegal buying or selling of securities based on material non-public information.
Example: SEBI penalized an executive for insider trading ahead of the quarterly results.
Definition: Institutional investors are organizations like mutual funds, pension funds, and insurance companies that invest large sums in the market.
Example: Institutional investors played a major role in stabilizing markets during high volatility.
Definition: Institutionalization refers to increasing participation of institutional investors in financial markets, boosting transparency and volume.
Example: Institutionalization of the Indian stock market has increased since the entry of FIIs and DIIs.
Definition: Interdelivery spread involves taking opposite positions in futures contracts of the same commodity with different delivery months.
Example: The trader used an interdelivery spread in crude oil to benefit from monthly price differences.
Definition: An option is in-the-money when exercising it would lead to a profit for the holder.
Example: A Nifty call option with a strike price of 20,000 is in-the-money if Nifty trades at 20,300.
Definition: Intangible assets are non-physical assets such as goodwill, trademarks, and patents that provide future economic value.
Example: The brand value was recorded as an intangible asset in the company’s balance sheet.
Definition: An interest rate agreement is a financial contract between parties to exchange fixed and floating interest payments.
Example: The bank entered an interest rate agreement with a firm to hedge loan exposure.
Definition: An interest rate cap is a financial contract that sets a maximum interest rate limit on floating rate loans or instruments.
Example: The firm purchased an interest rate cap to avoid paying above 9% on its loan.
Definition: Interest rate differential refers to the difference in interest rates between two currencies or debt instruments.
Example: Forex traders use interest rate differential to calculate carry trade profitability.
Definition: These contracts lock in interest rates for borrowing or lending at a future date, used for hedging interest rate risk.
Example: A corporate client used a forward contract to lock future loan rates.
Definition: Interest rate futures are standardized contracts to buy or sell debt instruments at a future date at a fixed interest rate.
Example: RBI-regulated interest rate futures allow hedging against bond price fluctuations.
Definition: These are strategies or contracts used to minimize the risk of interest rate fluctuations on loans or investments.
Example: A company used interest rate hedges to reduce volatility in debt servicing.
Definition: An interest rate swap is a contract between two parties to exchange one stream of interest payments for another, usually fixed for floating.
Example: The company entered into an interest rate swap to convert its fixed rate loan to floating.
Definition: Interest rate risk is the potential for investment losses due to fluctuations in interest rates.
Example: Long-duration bonds are highly sensitive to interest rate risk.
Definition: An interim dividend is a dividend payment made before a company's annual general meeting and final financial statements.
Example: The board declared an interim dividend of ₹5 per share mid-year.
Definition: IRR is the discount rate at which the net present value of future cash flows becomes zero, used in capital budgeting.
Example: A project with 18% IRR was selected over another with 12%.
Definition: An investment banker helps companies raise capital, manage IPOs, and facilitate mergers or acquisitions.
Example: The investment banker underwrote the startup’s ₹100 crore IPO.
Definition: An investment company pools funds from investors and invests them in various financial securities.
Example: UTI Mutual Fund is an investment company managing various schemes.
Definition: An investment objective defines the purpose and goal behind an investment, such as growth, income, or capital preservation.
Example: A conservative investor may have capital preservation as their investment objective.
Definition: Investment profit is the return earned from financial assets like stocks, mutual funds, or real estate.
Example: He booked an investment profit of ₹50,000 from equity mutual funds.
Definition: ISIN (International Securities Identification Number) uniquely identifies a security such as shares or bonds globally.
Example: Infosys Ltd. has the ISIN code INE009A01021 assigned by NSDL/CDSL.
Definition: ISO 15022 is an international standard for securities messaging to facilitate efficient communication between financial institutions.
Example: Banks use ISO 15022 formats to transmit trade instructions through SWIFT.
Definition: An issuer is an entity that develops, registers, and sells securities to raise funds for its operations.
Example: SBI is the issuer of its infrastructure bonds offered to retail investors.
Definition: ICAI (Institute of Chartered Accountants of India) is the regulatory body for the profession of Chartered Accountancy in India.
Example: ICAI prescribes accounting standards and governs practices for CAs across India.
Definition: IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards) are global accounting standards used to prepare financial statements.
Example: Indian companies with global listings report financials under IFRS for global compliance.
Definition: An illiquid security is a financial asset that cannot be quickly sold or exchanged for cash without significant loss.
Example: Small-cap stocks with low trading volumes are often considered illiquid securities.
Definition: IMF (International Monetary Fund) is a global organization that supports economic stability through financial aid and policy advice.
Example: The IMF approved a loan package to stabilize the currency crisis in the country.
Definition: Impact cost is the cost incurred due to the difference between the ideal price and actual execution price in a trade.
Example: High impact cost in illiquid stocks reduces trading efficiency for large orders.
Definition: An income fund is a mutual fund that aims to provide regular income by investing in interest-bearing instruments like bonds.
Example: Retired investors prefer income funds for predictable monthly payouts.
Definition: The income statement shows a company's financial performance over a period, including revenue, expenses, and net profit.
Example: The Q2 income statement showed a net profit increase of 18% year-on-year.
Definition: An index is a statistical measure of the performance of a group of assets like stocks or bonds.
Example: Nifty 50 is a benchmark index representing the top 50 stocks listed on NSE.
Definition: An index fund is a mutual fund that replicates and tracks the performance of a specific market index.
Example: The investor chose a Nifty 50 index fund for passive and low-cost investing.
Finance Terms Starting from "J" & "K" (10 no.s Most Popular and Important )
Definition: Jitney is an unethical practice where a broker executes orders through another to conceal the true source of the trade.
Example: SEBI investigated a brokerage firm involved in jitney trading.
Definition: A jobber is a market maker or intermediary who buys and sells securities on their own account to provide liquidity.
Example: In traditional stock markets, jobbers played a key role in ensuring smooth trades.
Definition: Jobbers spread is the difference between the price at which a jobber is willing to buy and sell a security.
Example: The jobbers spread on the stock was ₹2, indicating potential profit margin.
Definition: Jumbo bonds are large-denomination bonds, typically over $1 million, issued by corporations or governments.
Example: A multinational issued a jumbo bond worth $2 billion to finance expansion.
Definition: Junk bonds are high-yield, high-risk securities issued by companies with low credit ratings.
Example: Investors seeking higher returns sometimes allocate to junk bonds despite risk.
Definition: Kerb dealings refer to unofficial after-market trading, often taking place after exchange hours.
Example: Some traders engage in kerb dealings to capture overnight market sentiment.
Definition: Kapli is an informal or regional term used in certain Indian markets for on-the-spot cash settlements.
Example: The broker finalized the trade using kapli method with instant cash settlement.
Definition: Killer bees are firms or individuals hired by a company to fend off hostile takeovers.
Example: The board brought in killer bees to implement defense strategies against the raider.
Definition: Kiting is an illegal practice of misusing the float on checks to inflate account balances.
Example: The fraudster was caught for kiting between multiple bank accounts.
Definition: The KISS Principle stands for 'Keep It Simple, Stupid', emphasizing simplicity in design or analysis.
Example: Financial planners use the KISS principle to create easy-to-follow investment strategies.
Finance Terms Starting from "L" (30 no.s Most Popular and Important )
Definition: Lagging indicators are economic signals that reflect historical performance and confirm long-term trends.
Example: Unemployment rate is a lagging indicator used to assess past economic health.
Definition: A lame duck is a trader or investor who is unable to fulfill trading obligations, often due to losses.
Example: After multiple bad trades, he became a lame duck in the eyes of market peers.
Definition: LIBOR is the benchmark interest rate at which major global banks lend to one another in the international interbank market.
Example: Many corporate loans were historically linked to LIBOR before transitioning to SOFR.
Definition: LIFO is an inventory valuation method where the most recently produced items are recorded as sold first.
Example: Under LIFO, the latest purchased stock of a retailer is recorded as sold first.
Definition: The law of one price states that identical goods should sell for the same price in different markets when expressed in a common currency.
Example: Arbitrage ensures the law of one price holds across global stock exchanges.
Definition: In finance, lay off refers to reducing risk by transferring part of it to another party, often through hedging.
Example: The brokerage laid off its risk by entering offsetting derivative contracts.
Definition: Leading indicators are economic metrics that predict future economic activity, such as stock prices and new orders.
Example: An uptick in manufacturing orders is a leading indicator of economic growth.
Definition: A lead manager is the primary investment bank responsible for managing and coordinating an IPO or public issue.
Example: Axis Capital acted as the lead manager for the IPO of the NBFC.
Definition: Legal risk is the potential loss due to regulatory or legal actions impacting business operations or transactions.
Example: The NBFC faced legal risk due to a pending SEBI investigation.
Definition: A letter of offer is a formal document outlining the terms of a financial offering, like IPOs or rights issues.
Example: Investors reviewed the letter of offer before subscribing to the rights issue.
Definition: Leverage is the use of borrowed capital to amplify returns on investment.
Example: The fund used financial leverage to enhance equity returns in a bullish market.
Definition: A leveraged buyout is the acquisition of a company using a significant amount of borrowed funds.
Example: The private equity firm completed a leveraged buyout using 70% debt funding.
Definition: Liabilities are financial obligations of a company such as loans, accounts payable, and accrued expenses.
Example: The balance sheet showed total liabilities of ₹10 crore for the fiscal year.
Definition: A limit order is an order to buy or sell a security at a specific price or better.
Example: The investor placed a buy limit order for TCS at ₹3,000.
Definition: Line business refers to the core operational activities or revenue-generating segments of a company.
Example: Mutual fund management was the primary line business of the AMC.
Definition: Liquidation is the process of closing a business and distributing its assets to claimants, typically during bankruptcy.
Example: The court ordered the liquidation of the failed NBFC’s assets.
Definition: LAF is a tool used by the Reserve Bank of India to manage liquidity in the banking system through repo and reverse repo operations.
Example: RBI increased reverse repo under LAF to absorb excess liquidity from banks.
Definition: Liquid assets are cash or easily convertible assets that can be quickly turned into cash without losing value.
Example: Fixed deposits and mutual funds in liquid schemes are treated as liquid assets.
Definition: Liquidity risk is the risk that an entity may not be able to meet short-term financial obligations due to the lack of marketable assets.
Example: The bank faced liquidity risk due to high withdrawals and limited cash reserves.
Definition: A listed company is one whose shares are traded on a recognized stock exchange and meets specific regulatory requirements.
Example: Infosys is a listed company on both NSE and BSE.
Definition: Listing refers to the admission of securities to trading on a stock exchange.
Example: The startup completed its listing on NSE after successful IPO allotment.
Definition: The listing agreement is a contract between a company and stock exchange outlining compliance obligations for being listed.
Example: The company had to comply with Clause 49 of the listing agreement related to corporate governance.
Definition: Load refers to the commission charged by mutual funds at the time of entry or exit by an investor.
Example: The mutual fund carried an entry load of 1% on new investments.
Definition: A load fund charges a fee or commission when you buy or sell its units, impacting overall returns.
Example: Investors often prefer no-load funds over load funds due to lower cost.
Definition: Locked or crossed quotations occur when the bid price is equal to or higher than the ask price, disrupting normal trading flow.
Example: Market makers resolved the locked quotation in tech stocks by adjusting quotes.
Definition: Lock in trade is a restriction period during which securities cannot be sold or transferred.
Example: Promoters had a one-year lock-in trade period after IPO allotment.
Definition: A long position involves buying a security with the expectation that its price will rise.
Example: The investor took a long position in ITC expecting bullish momentum.
Definition: Loss on security provisions refers to the accounting entry for anticipated losses from investments or bad securities.
Example: The bank made a ₹50 crore provision for losses on corporate bond defaults.
Definition: Liquidity premium is the additional return investors demand for holding less liquid assets.
Example: Corporate bonds offer a liquidity premium over government securities.
Finance Terms Starting from "N" (19 no.s Most Popular and Important )
Definition: NASDAQ is a major U.S. electronic stock exchange focusing on technology and high-growth companies.
Example: Apple and Microsoft are listed on NASDAQ, one of the world’s largest exchanges.
Definition: A naked option is a risky options strategy where the seller does not hold the underlying asset.
Example: Selling a naked call can lead to unlimited losses if stock prices rise unexpectedly.
Definition: Narrowing the spread refers to the reduction in the difference between the bid and ask price of a security.
Example: Increased trading volume helped in narrowing the spread of the stock.
Definition: It represents the highest bid and lowest ask prices across all exchanges in the country.
Example: Traders monitor NBBO to execute orders at best available prices.
Definition: NDS is an electronic platform used by RBI and market participants for trading government securities and money market instruments.
Example: The bank executed T-bill trades through the NDS platform.
Definition: Net dividend is the amount received by shareholders after tax deductions or charges from the gross dividend.
Example: The company declared a ₹10 dividend, but the net dividend was ₹9.50 after TDS.
Definition: Net liquid assets are those that can be quickly converted to cash after deducting current liabilities.
Example: The firm had ₹50 lakh in net liquid assets after accounting for short-term dues.
Definition: Netting is the process of offsetting obligations between parties to reduce the number of transactions.
Example: Clearing houses use netting to calculate the net payable by each broker.
Definition: Net working capital is the difference between current assets and current liabilities, indicating a firm's liquidity position.
Example: A positive net working capital shows that the firm can meet its short-term obligations.
Definition: Net worth is a company’s total assets minus total liabilities, reflecting its financial health.
Example: The startup's net worth doubled within two years due to retained earnings.
Finance Terms Starting from "O" (25 no.s Most Popular and Important )
Definition: An odd lot refers to a quantity of shares less than the standard marketable lot.
Example: Buying 7 shares of a stock constitutes an odd lot on Indian exchanges.
Definition: This refers to the risk arising from liabilities not recorded on a company’s balance sheet.
Example: Derivative exposures can contribute significantly to off balance sheet risk.
Definition: An offer document provides detailed information about a security being issued to potential investors.
Example: The IPO offer document included financials, risk factors, and business details.
Definition: Offer for sale is a mechanism where promoters sell their shares to reduce holdings, typically via stock exchange.
Example: The government divested stake in the PSU through an Offer For Sale.
Definition: Offer period is the duration during which investors can apply for shares in a public issue.
Example: The IPO offer period was open from July 10 to July 12.
Definition: The offer price is the price at which shares are made available to investors in a new issue.
Example: The company set the offer price for its IPO at ₹550 per share.
Definition: An ombudsman is a government-appointed authority who investigates complaints by customers against financial institutions.
Example: A customer approached the banking ombudsman for delay in loan disbursal.
Definition: An open-ended scheme allows investors to buy and redeem units at any time based on NAV.
Example: Most mutual funds in India are open-ended schemes offering high liquidity.
Definition: Open interest is the total number of outstanding derivative contracts not yet settled.
Example: High open interest in Nifty options suggests strong participation in the market.
Definition: OMOs are conducted by RBI to control liquidity by buying or selling government securities.
Example: RBI conducted OMOs to inject ₹10,000 crore into the banking system.
Definition: An open order remains active until it is either executed or canceled by the investor.
Example: The trader placed an open order to buy shares at ₹500, valid until month-end.
Definition: Opening price is the first traded price of a security when the market opens.
Example: Reliance opened at ₹2,420, slightly higher than its previous close.
Definition: Operating income is the profit a company makes from its core business operations before taxes and interest.
Example: The company's operating income grew 25% year-on-year due to higher sales.
Definition: Operational risk arises from failed internal processes, systems, or external events.
Example: A cyberattack is a major operational risk for financial institutions.
Definition: An option is a financial contract that gives the buyer the right but not the obligation to buy or sell an asset at a fixed price.
Example: A call option allows the investor to buy a stock at a predetermined strike price.
Definition: Option premium is the price paid by the buyer to the seller for acquiring an options contract.
Example: The trader paid ₹50 as option premium for a call on Infosys.
Definition: An option seller is the party who writes the option and receives the premium for undertaking the obligation.
Example: The option seller must deliver the stock if the buyer exercises the call option.
Definition: Option spread involves combining multiple option positions to limit risk and gain from specific market scenarios.
Example: The investor used a bull call spread strategy during market uptrend.
Definition: Optional redemption gives the issuer the right to repay a bond before its maturity date.
Example: The company exercised optional redemption to retire high-interest bonds early.
Definition: An order book is a real-time list of buy and sell orders for a particular security on an exchange.
Example: The order book of TCS showed more buying interest at ₹3,200 levels.
Definition: This is a strategy used by companies to prevent hostile takeovers by offering existing shareholders rights to buy more shares.
Example: The board adopted the original plan poison pill to dilute potential acquirer's stake.
Definition: OTC trading is a decentralized market where securities are traded directly between two parties, outside formal exchanges.
Example: Derivative contracts and bonds are often traded OTC.
Definition: An option is out of the money if it would lead to a loss if exercised immediately.
Example: A ₹100 call option is out of the money when the stock trades at ₹95.
Definition: Overtrading happens when a trader or investor buys and sells excessively without strategy, risking losses.
Example: Retail investors often fall into overtrading during volatile markets.
Definition: This defense plan allows existing shareholders (except the acquirer) to purchase more shares at a discount.
Example: The ownership flip-in plan protected the company from a hostile takeover.
Finance Terms Starting from "P" (52 no.s Most Popular and Important )
Definition: Paid-in capital is the amount of capital received from shareholders in exchange for stock.
Example: The company’s paid-in capital increased after issuing fresh equity.
Definition: Paid-up capital is the amount of money a company has received from shareholders for shares issued.
Example: The paid-up capital of the company stands at ₹50 crore.
Definition: These are unrealized gains or losses on investments that have not been sold yet.
Example: His ₹5 lakh paper profit disappeared when the market fell.
Definition: Par value is the nominal or face value of a bond, share, or financial instrument as stated by the issuer.
Example: The par value of the share was ₹10, even though it traded at ₹500.
Definition: Pari passu means 'on equal footing,' indicating equal claim or rights among parties.
Example: All debenture holders had pari passu charge on the company’s assets.
Definition: A partial tender offer is an offer to purchase a specified number of shares, less than total outstanding.
Example: The promoter made a partial tender offer to acquire 20% stake from public.
Definition: These shares provide preferred dividends and allow participation in additional profits.
Example: Shareholders of participating preference shares received extra dividends during profits.
Definition: Partly paid shares require investors to pay only a portion of the issue price initially, with the remainder due later.
Example: Investors paid ₹5 initially for partly paid shares and ₹5 later on final call.
Definition: These are settlement processes where securities and funds are transferred between traders and clearing corporations.
Example: The pay-in for equities is done by 10 AM and pay-out is processed by 2 PM.
Definition: It is a settlement mechanism where payments due from and to counterparties are consolidated to one net obligation.
Example: Banks reduce transaction costs using payment netting across multiple trades.
Definition: Penny stocks are low-priced, high-risk stocks often traded over the counter with limited liquidity.
Example: Many investors lose money in penny stocks due to high volatility and speculation.
Definition: PAC are individuals or companies collaborating to gain control of a company by acquiring shares.
Example: SEBI mandates disclosures when PAC collectively exceed shareholding thresholds.
Definition: In trading slang, a pig is a greedy investor who takes on high risks hoping for large gains, often ending in losses.
Example: Traders are advised not to behave like pigs chasing unrealistic profits.
Definition: These are listings of OTC securities with minimal regulations, often lacking financial transparency.
Example: Many microcap and speculative companies are traded via pink sheets in the U.S.
Definition: Placing power refers to the ability of an institution or underwriter to distribute new issues to investors.
Example: The merchant banker had strong placing power, ensuring full subscription of the IPO.
Definition: These are standard financial contracts with basic features and no complex structures or options.
Example: A fixed-rate bond is a plain vanilla instrument compared to a convertible bond.
Definition: Players refer to entities or individuals actively participating in financial markets.
Example: FIIs, DIIs, and retail traders are major players in the Indian stock market.
Definition: A poison pill is a strategy used by companies to prevent or discourage hostile takeovers.
Example: Twitter adopted a poison pill plan to limit hostile acquisition by a billionaire.
Definition: A poison put allows bondholders to sell their bonds back to the issuer if a takeover occurs.
Example: The company inserted a poison put clause to make hostile acquisition more expensive.
Definition: A Ponzi scheme is a fraudulent investment scam promising high returns with money from new investors.
Example: Many investors lost money in the Ponzi scheme as payouts relied on new investments.
Definition: Pooling refers to combining various assets into a single investment vehicle for better risk management.
Example: A mutual fund pools money from many investors to invest in a diversified portfolio.
Definition: Pools are temporary alliances of investors who collaborate to manipulate prices or influence markets.
Example: Market regulators penalized traders for forming pools to inflate stock prices.
Definition: A market manipulation tactic where false negative news is spread to drop stock prices for cheap buying.
Example: Authorities charged the group for using poop and scoop to manipulate small-cap stocks.
Definition: A portfolio is a collection of investments held by an individual or institution.
Example: Her portfolio includes equities, mutual funds, and fixed income instruments.
Definition: Portfolio investment refers to investing in securities and assets without gaining direct control.
Example: FIIs often make portfolio investments in Indian markets without management involvement.
Definition: A portfolio manager is responsible for making investment decisions on behalf of clients or funds.
Example: The portfolio manager shifted allocations toward large-cap stocks for stability.
Definition: Portfolio turnover indicates how frequently assets in a portfolio are bought and sold.
Example: A high portfolio turnover often leads to increased transaction costs.
Definition: Position limit refers to the maximum number of derivative contracts an investor can hold.
Example: SEBI imposed position limits to prevent excessive speculation in commodity trading.
Definition: Position netting offsets long and short positions to determine net exposure for settlement.
Example: Brokers use position netting to reduce their margin requirements.
Definition: Position trading is a long-term strategy where investors hold positions for weeks or months.
Example: Position traders rely on fundamental analysis to maintain holdings over quarters.
Definition: These shares offer fixed dividends and have priority over common stock in asset distribution.
Example: Preference shareholders received dividends before common shareholders during the payout.
Definition: Preferential allotment refers to the issue of shares to a select group of investors at a predetermined price.
Example: The company raised capital through preferential allotment to institutional investors.
Definition: Premium is the amount by which a security's price exceeds its face value.
Example: The bond was trading at a 5% premium above its par value.
Definition: A price band is the minimum and maximum price range within which a stock can trade during the day.
Example: SEBI fixed the IPO price band between ₹500 to ₹550 per share.
Definition: Price discovery is the mechanism through which markets determine the price of an asset based on demand and supply.
Example: The auction helped in efficient price discovery for the new issue.
Definition: P/E Ratio shows the relationship between a company's market price and its earnings per share (EPS).
Example: A high P/E ratio suggests strong growth expectations for the company.
Definition: Price rigging is an illegal activity where participants artificially inflate or deflate security prices.
Example: SEBI penalized brokers for price rigging in a penny stock.
Definition: This is non-public information that can significantly affect a company's share price.
Example: Insider trading using price sensitive information is a punishable offense.
Definition: Prime rate is the interest rate that commercial banks charge their most credit-worthy customers.
Example: Changes in the prime rate often influence loan and mortgage rates.
Definition: Profit taking involves selling a security to realize gains after a significant price increase.
Example: After a 30% rally, investors engaged in profit taking, causing a minor correction.
Definition: It involves the use of computer algorithms to execute large orders automatically based on pre-set conditions.
Example: Institutions use program trading to efficiently manage bulk trades during volatility.
Definition: This is a fund managed by a firm for its own profit, not client investments.
Example: The brokerage used a proprietary fund to trade derivatives internally.
Definition: A prospectus is a legal document that provides details about an investment offering to the public.
Example: Investors reviewed the IPO prospectus to understand the company's financials and risks.
Definition: A proxy is a written authorization allowing someone to vote on behalf of a shareholder.
Example: Shareholders unable to attend the AGM sent in their proxies to cast votes.
Definition: A proxy battle is a struggle for control of a company where opposing groups seek shareholder support.
Example: The activist investor initiated a proxy battle to replace board members.
Definition: A public announcement is an official communication made to inform investors about key corporate actions.
Example: The merger was disclosed through a stock exchange public announcement.
Definition: A public issue involves offering securities to the general public to raise capital.
Example: The company raised ₹1,000 crore via its public issue on the NSE.
Definition: It is a trust that invests in a diversified portfolio of government securities.
Example: Many conservative investors choose Public Securities Trusts for stable returns.
Definition: This refers to exaggerated promotional statements that are subjective and not legally binding.
Example: 'The best stock ever' is considered puffing and not a factual claim.
Definition: Pump and dump is a fraud scheme where prices are inflated via false claims before selling shares at a profit.
Example: Authorities warned retail investors about pump and dump activity in small caps.
Definition: This principle defines the price relationship between put and call options to prevent arbitrage.
Example: Traders use the put-call parity to identify mispricing in options.
Definition: A put option gives the holder the right to sell an asset at a predetermined price within a specified time.
Example: The investor bought a put option to hedge against a fall in Infosys shares.
Finance Terms Starting from "Q" & "R" (63 no.s Most Popular and Important )
Definition: In U.S. markets, a quotation refers to the latest bid and ask price of a security.
Example: The stock's quotation showed a bid of $50 and an ask of $51.
Definition: A slang term indicating a stock has caught an analyst’s or investor’s attention.
Example: After strong earnings, the stock came on the radar alter of many institutions.
Definition: This theory suggests that stock prices move randomly and cannot be predicted.
Example: According to the Random Walk Theory, trying to beat the market consistently is nearly impossible.
Definition: RTGS is a payment system where transactions are processed and settled in real time and individually.
Example: High-value interbank transfers are often executed via RTGS for faster settlement.
Definition: The record date determines the eligibility of shareholders for dividends or other benefits.
Example: Investors holding shares on the record date will receive the announced dividend.
Definition: A red herring is a preliminary prospectus filed before an IPO that lacks pricing information.
Example: Investors use the red herring to evaluate company fundamentals before the IPO opens.
Definition: It is the price at which mutual fund units or bonds are repurchased by the issuer.
Example: The fund allowed investors to exit at the NAV-based redemption price.
Definition: These are bonds registered in the name of the holder and not payable to the bearer.
Example: Registered bonds ensure security and allow tracking of ownership.
Definition: Registrars manage records of applications and allotments during public offerings.
Example: The registrar handled application verification during the IPO process.
Definition: These are Federal Reserve Board regulations governing credit limits for margin accounts.
Example: Regulation T restricts how much investors can borrow to trade stocks on margin.
Definition: This involves exploiting differences in regulations across jurisdictions to reduce compliance costs.
Example: Firms engage in regulatory arbitrage by shifting operations to lenient regulatory environments.
Finance Terms Starting from "S" (63 no.s Most Popular and Important )
Definition: The Securities and Exchange Commission regulates securities markets in the United States.
Example: The SEC launched an investigation into insider trading allegations.
Definition: A U.S. organization that protects investors in case of brokerage firm failures.
Example: SIPC coverage ensured investors recovered funds after a broker went bankrupt.
Definition: A legal provision protecting firms from liability under specific conditions.
Example: Companies disclosed forward-looking statements under the safe harbor clause.
Definition: Yen-denominated bonds issued by non-Japanese entities in Japan.
Example: The Indian company raised funds through Samurai bonds for its expansion.
Definition: A surprise takeover attempt made over the weekend to avoid defenses.
Example: The acquiring company launched a Saturday night special to acquire its rival.
Definition: A record maintained by brokers of trades and transactions.
Example: Discrepancies in the sauda book triggered a compliance audit.
Definition: A strategy to make a company less attractive to hostile acquirers by selling key assets.
Example: The board implemented a scorched earth policy to deter a hostile takeover.
Definition: A digital system of trading through computer terminals on exchanges.
Example: Screen-based trading improved transparency and speed in market transactions.
Definition: A mutual fund that invests in a specific sector of the economy.
Example: The technology sector fund gained 15% due to a rally in IT stocks.
Definition: A platform where investors trade previously issued securities.
Example: Shares bought in an IPO can be traded later in the secondary market.
Definition: Allows investors to lend their securities for a fee while retaining ownership.
Example: Many institutional investors participate in the securities lending scheme for passive income.
Definition: The process of pooling financial assets and issuing securities backed by them.
Example: Home loans were securitized and sold to investors in the form of bonds.
Definition: A Canadian platform for filing public securities documents electronically.
Example: Canadian companies file annual reports on the SEDAR system.
Definition: A trading member who handles both trading and clearing of their own trades.
Example: The brokerage became a self-clearing member to reduce dependency on others.
Definition: Selling securities not owned by the seller, anticipating a price decline.
Example: The trader profited by selling short during the market crash.
Definition: A benchmark index representing the performance of top companies in a market.
Example: The BSE Sensex is a sensitive index tracking 30 leading stocks.
Definition: The date on which the buyer must pay and the seller must deliver securities.
Example: Settlement date for equity trades is typically T+1 in India.
Definition: The time between trade execution and final settlement.
Example: The standard settlement period in India is one business day (T+1).
Definition: A corporate action that increases the number of shares by reducing the face value.
Example: The 1:2 stock split doubled the number of shares held by investors.
Definition: The risk that one party fails to deliver securities or cash as agreed in a transaction.
Example: Settlement risk arose when the buyer failed to transfer funds on the due date.
Definition: An entity appointed to maintain records of investor transactions and share transfers.
Example: The company’s share transfer agent processed ownership changes post-IPO.
Definition: Tactics used by companies to deter hostile takeover attempts.
Example: Dual-class voting rights were implemented as a shark repellent.
Definition: Allows firms to register securities in advance and sell them later when market conditions are favorable.
Example: The tech firm used shelf registration to raise funds quickly as needed.
Definition: Buying shares to close out an existing short position.
Example: The stock rallied as traders engaged in massive short covering.
Definition: A market position where an investor sells borrowed securities, expecting a price drop.
Example: The trader held a short position in banking stocks before results.
Definition: Occurs when a rising stock forces short sellers to buy back shares, pushing the price up further.
Example: The dramatic price surge was driven by a massive short squeeze.
Definition: Derivatives like options or futures based on individual company stocks.
Example: The investor traded single stock futures of Reliance for short-term gains.
Definition: A financially strong but undervalued company targeted for takeover.
Example: Analysts called the underperforming blue-chip a sleeping beauty.
Definition: A tendency for small-cap stocks to outperform large-cap stocks over time.
Example: The portfolio focused on the small firm effect to boost returns.
Definition: Immediate and customized delivery of securities outside regular cycles.
Example: The client requested a special delivery of certificates post-sale.
Definition: Stocks identified under specific trading regulations or monitoring.
Example: SEBI listed a few penny stocks as specified shares due to unusual activity.
Definition: When a company creates an independent entity by selling or distributing new shares.
Example: The conglomerate announced a spin-off of its IT division.
Definition: A manipulative trading practice where fake orders are placed and canceled to mislead markets.
Example: Regulators fined the trader for spoofing high-volume orders.
Definition: A contract where the delivery and payment of securities happen on the same or next day.
Example: The intraday trade settled as a spot delivery contract.
Definition: An investor who applies for IPOs with the intent to sell quickly at a profit.
Example: Stags dominated the IPO of a newly listed fintech startup.
Definition: An economic condition with high inflation, low growth, and high unemployment.
Example: Investors turned defensive fearing stagflation in global economies.
Definition: A prolonged period of slow or no economic growth.
Example: The real estate sector suffered from stagnation post policy changes.
Definition: A board structure where only a fraction of directors are elected each year, deterring takeovers.
Example: The company implemented a staggered board to protect management continuity.
Definition: Any party that has an interest in a business’s performance or actions.
Example: Employees and investors are primary stakeholders in any firm.
Definition: A government tax on legal documents like share transfers or property sales.
Example: Stamp duty was levied on the demat share transaction.
Definition: A fixed reference price used in budgeting or performance measurement.
Example: Standard price helped evaluate cost variances in procurement.
Definition: A dividend payment made in the form of additional shares instead of cash.
Example: The company issued a 1:10 stock dividend to reward investors.
Definition: A derivative contract based on the movement of a stock index.
Example: Traders used Nifty index futures to hedge against portfolio risks.
Definition: A practice where securities are lent by their owner to a borrower for a fee.
Example: The investor earned passive income by participating in a stock lending program.
Definition: An order to sell a security when it reaches a specified price to limit loss.
Example: A stop loss order was placed to exit the trade if the price fell below ₹980.
Definition: A marketplace where securities such as stocks and bonds are traded.
Example: NSE and BSE are major stock exchanges in India.
Definition: A financial contract giving the holder the right to buy or sell a stock at a specific price.
Example: The employee exercised his stock options at a predetermined price.
Definition: A corporate action that increases the number of shares while reducing the price proportionally.
Example: After a 2:1 stock split, each investor held twice as many shares.
Definition: An options strategy involving buying a call and a put at the same strike price.
Example: Traders used a straddle to profit from high volatility in the market.
Definition: An automated process of completing transactions electronically without manual intervention.
Example: STP systems reduce errors and speed up settlements in trading.
Definition: The fixed price at which the holder of an option can buy or sell the underlying asset.
Example: The strike price of ₹1500 allowed the investor to buy the stock below market value.
Definition: A segregated account maintained under a Foreign Institutional Investor (FII) account.
Example: The fund registered a subaccount for its Indian equity investments.
Definition: An agent who assists the stockbroker in buying and selling of securities.
Example: The sub broker collected client orders and passed them to the main broker.
Definition: The portion of the issued capital that investors have agreed to purchase.
Example: The company's subscribed capital stood at ₹10 crore after its public issue.
Definition: A financial agreement to exchange future cash flows based on a notional amount.
Example: Companies use interest rate swaps to manage debt costs.
Definition: The repurchase of a previously agreed swap contract before its maturity.
Example: The firm executed a swap buyback to restructure its debt portfolio.
Definition: Entering into an offsetting swap to neutralize an existing position.
Example: A swap reversal was done to avoid further interest rate exposure.
Definition: An option that gives the holder the right to enter into a swap agreement.
Example: The bank purchased a swaption to hedge against future rate changes.
Definition: Shares issued to employees or promoters in exchange for their services or efforts.
Example: Startups often reward founders with sweat equity instead of salaries.
Definition: A network that enables secure messaging between banks for international financial transactions.
Example: The bank used SWIFT to execute cross-border payment instructions.
Definition: Moving investments from one mutual fund scheme to another within the same fund house.
Example: The investor switched from a debt fund to an equity fund during the bull run.
Definition: Coordinated trading where buy and sell orders are arranged in advance to manipulate markets.
Example: SEBI investigated the broker for engaging in synchronized trading.
Definition: The risk of collapse of an entire financial system due to interconnected institutions.
Example: The 2008 crisis was triggered by systemic risk in the banking sector.
Finance Terms Starting from "T" (22 no.s Most Popular and Important )
Definition: A regulatory body that oversees and ensures fairness in corporate takeovers.
Example: The takeover panel reviewed the merger proposal for compliance.
Definition: Illegally following or copying a licensed broker’s trading activity.
Example: The investor was warned for taligating professional trades without disclosure.
Definition: The company that is being pursued for acquisition or merger.
Example: The target company’s stock rose after the takeover announcement.
Definition: A market stance based on chart patterns and technical indicators rather than fundamentals.
Example: Traders took a bullish technical position due to a breakout pattern.
Definition: A public bid to purchase some or all shares from shareholders at a premium price.
Example: The acquirer made a tender offer to gain control of the listed firm.
Definition: Markets with low trading volumes, leading to price volatility and poor liquidity.
Example: Trading in small-cap stocks often occurs in thin markets with wide spreads.
Definition: An advertisement published by underwriters about an upcoming public issue.
Example: A tombstone ad was placed in financial newspapers before the IPO launch.
Definition: The divergence between a fund's returns and its benchmark index.
Example: The index fund showed a tracking error of 0.25% over the past year.
Definition: A type of stock issued to reflect performance of a specific business segment.
Example: The tech giant launched a tracking stock for its cloud division.
Definition: Offsetting buy and sell trades to reduce settlement obligations between parties.
Example: Trade netting simplifies settlement by reducing the number of transactions.
Definition: A registered broker or dealer authorized to trade on a stock exchange.
Example: Only a licensed trading member can execute trades on behalf of clients.
Definition: A document showing details of securities transactions in a demat account.
Example: Investors receive a monthly transaction statement from their depository.
Definition: Entities responsible for maintaining records of share ownership and transfer.
Example: The transfer agent updated the shareholder registry after the merger.
Definition: Documents used to transfer ownership of physical securities.
Example: Transfer forms must be signed and submitted for share transfers.
Definition: Revenue stamps used as proof of tax payment on securities transfers.
Example: The transfer of physical shares required affixed transfer stamps.
Definition: The person to whom the ownership of shares is transferred.
Example: The transferee received shares post gift deed registration.
Definition: The person who transfers the ownership of shares to another party.
Example: The transferor submitted the share certificate for transfer processing.
Definition: Short-term debt instruments issued by the government with maturities up to one year.
Example: Investors buy treasury bills for capital preservation and liquidity.
Definition: A legal document that outlines the responsibilities of trustees managing assets.
Example: The mutual fund’s trust deed mandates ethical fund management.
Definition: An individual or entity that sets up a trust and nominates trustees.
Example: The NGO’s founder acted as the trust promoter for regulatory purposes.
Definition: A person or institution responsible for managing assets on behalf of others.
Example: The trustee ensures that the fund is operated in the interest of investors.
Definition: A market with both bid and ask prices quoted by market makers.
Example: Two-sided markets help maintain liquidity by showing both buy and sell prices.
Finance Terms Starting from "U" (8 no.s Most Popular and Important )
Definition: The asset on which a derivative’s value is based.
Example: The underlying asset of a stock option is the company’s equity share.
Definition: A firm or individual that evaluates and assumes the risk of a new issue.
Example: The underwriter guaranteed full subscription of the public issue.
Definition: The process where an underwriter commits to buy unsold shares in a public offering.
Example: Underwriting gives assurance that the IPO will raise the required funds.
Definition: Investors who hold units of a mutual fund scheme.
Example: The AMC disclosed portfolio holdings to all unit holders.
Definition: The minimum quantity of a security that can be traded.
Example: One share is typically the unit of trading in equity markets.
Definition: Trades where buy and sell orders do not match in clearing systems.
Example: Unmatched transactions can delay settlement and require manual intervention.
Definition: Risk specific to a company or industry, reducible through diversification.
Example: A product recall posed unsystematic risk for the pharma company.
Definition: A private market where large institutional trades are negotiated off-exchange.
Example: A mutual fund placed a bulk order in the upstairs market to avoid slippage.
Finance Terms Starting from "V" (13 no.s Most Popular and Important )
Definition: An investment strategy focusing on undervalued stocks with strong fundamentals.
Example: Value investing led Warren Buffett to long-term wealth through undervalued companies.
Definition: A measure of potential loss in an investment portfolio over a specific period.
Example: The VAR of the fund was ₹5 lakh at 95% confidence over one month.
Definition: A straightforward and standard form of security issuance without special features.
Example: The company opted for a vanilla issue of bonds with fixed coupon rates.
Definition: Firms that disappear post-IPO without fulfilling regulatory or investor obligations.
Example: Regulators investigated vanishing companies that misused public issue funds.
Definition: Funds provided to startups and early-stage businesses with high growth potential.
Example: The fintech startup raised ₹10 crore in venture capital from an angel network.
Definition: A pooled investment vehicle that finances new businesses in exchange for equity.
Example: The venture capital fund invested in tech-based healthcare startups.
Definition: A business venture that receives funding from venture capitalists for expansion.
Example: The small robotics firm became a venture capital undertaking after seed funding.
Definition: An options strategy involving buying and selling options of the same type and expiry but different strike prices.
Example: A trader executed a vertical spread using call options on Nifty.
Definition: The process by which an employee earns the right to employer-provided stock or benefits over time.
Example: The ESOP plan vests after three years of continuous service.
Definition: The degree of variation in a security’s price over time.
Example: High volatility in tech stocks created short-term trading opportunities.
Definition: The total number of shares or contracts traded in a security during a given period.
Example: The volume of trading spiked after the earnings report.
Definition: When a company chooses to remove its securities from a stock exchange.
Example: The MNC opted for voluntary delisting to consolidate ownership.
Definition: Shareholder rights to vote on corporate decisions like electing directors or mergers.
Example: Equity shareholders used their voting rights in the AGM.
Finance Terms Starting from "W" (8 no.s Most Popular and Important )
Definition: A security that gives the holder the right to buy company shares at a fixed price before expiry.
Example: The company issued warrants at ₹120 per share, exercisable in 3 years.
Definition: Selling and repurchasing the same security within a short period to create artificial losses.
Example: Wash sales are often scrutinized by tax authorities for misuse.
Definition: A friendly investor or company that rescues a target firm from a hostile takeover.
Example: A larger peer acted as a white knight to save the struggling firm.
Definition: Manipulating financial statements or portfolios to appear more attractive at reporting periods.
Example: Fund managers engaged in window dressing before quarter-end reviews.
Definition: Overpaying in competitive bidding scenarios, leading to poor investment outcomes.
Example: The company faced the winner’s curse after acquiring a loss-making startup.
Definition: An aggressive market player known for hostile takeovers or sharp trading.
Example: The wolf of Dalal Street gained fame for his speculative bets.
Definition: The maximum potential loss in an adverse market event.
Example: Stress tests estimate worst-case scenario loss during economic downturns.
Definition: An individual or entity that creates and sells options contracts.
Example: The option writer earns a premium for taking on risk.
Finance Terms Starting from "x", "y","z" (9 no.s Most Popular and Important )
Definition: A stock traded without the right to receive the most recent dividend.
Example: Investors buying X Dividend shares won’t receive the upcoming dividend.
Definition: A bond issued in the U.S. by a foreign entity and denominated in U.S. dollars.
Example: The Indian company raised funds through a Yankee Bond listing.
Definition: The total return expected on a bond if held until it matures.
Example: Investors compare YTM to market rates to evaluate bond attractiveness.
Definition: Fraudulent schemes targeting young urban professionals with get-rich-quick pitches.
Example: The authorities busted a Yuppie Scam promoting bogus investment apps.
Definition: A statistical measure that indicates how many standard deviations a data point is from the mean.
Example: A Z-score of -2.5 indicated the stock was significantly undervalued.
Definition: A type of bank account that maintains a zero balance by automatically transferring funds.
Example: The company used a zero-balance account to centralize its cash management.
Definition: A budgeting method where every expense must be justified for each new period.
Example: Zero-based budgeting helped the firm cut unnecessary costs by reevaluating every expense.
Definition: A bond sold at a discount that pays no periodic interest and matures at face value.
Example: The investor bought a zero coupon bond at ₹800 and redeemed it at ₹1,000 on maturity.
Definition: A curve showing yields on zero-coupon bonds across different maturities.
Example: Analysts use the zero coupon yield curve to evaluate long-term interest rate trends.