Stock Market Glossary

Stock market terminology can be quite confusing so we have compiled this list of the main terms used in the UK financial industry as a reference guide. We will be expanding this section in the near future. You can also play a game of hangman with these terms

Click on the starting letter of term you wish to lookup:

I

Illiquidity
Illiquid markets are typified by low levels of trading, with little underlying stock readily available. Buying and selling can cause exaggerated price fluctuations.
Initial Public Offering (IPO)
The first time a company's shares are traded on the stock exchange, also known as a flotation. A detailed prospectus or flotation document is issued for potential investors to read about the company, its history, strategy, directors, risks and accounts before they might invest.
Insiders
The board of directors and officers of a company. It can also be someone who has a large voting share in the company. These insiders are said to possess "insider information."
Interest-Rate Swaps
The process of changing the form of debts held by banks or companies, in which one party exchanges a stream of interest for another stream. Interest rate swaps can be fixed-to-floating, fixed-to-fixed or floating-to-floating rate swaps.
IPO Date
The date that a company's shares first started trading publicly.

Traders' views

Has the dollar rallied too far, too quickly?

By Ishaq Siddiqi

Despite general US data thus far this week coming in a little softer, the dollar retains a bid tone, as US risk markets keep on posting new highs despite much speculation on whether USD may have rallied a little too far, too quickly.

Today we await CPI numbers and US data including housing, jobless claims and the Philly Fed.)

Will the yen fall again?

By Zoe Fiddes

The depreciation of the Japanese yen has been an ongoing process for many months now, and recent developments have contributed to its continued decline. However, upcoming data might change the direction upwards.

Japan’s currency is once more weakening compared to the US dollar. 

Bad news baked into the mining sector

By Brenda Kelly

Despite the fact that it’s only mid- May, the FTSE100 looks set to record a new high for the 12th consecutive month.

Compared to the likes of the Dow, the Dax and the S&P500, the FTSE being quite heavily weighted with the financial and mining sector has dragged itsheels in re-acquiring a record high level. Perhaps it’s the mining sector that is serving as a drag which since February has seen a total decline of almost 25%.

A bullet-point guide to fine wine investing

By Oliver Haill

The fine wine market is expected to continue its recent resurgence in 2013 and, if you haven’t thought about investing in this asset class before there are increasingly strong reasons for certain types of investor.

Traders and other high-frequency type traders need read no further, this is for long-term investors. It can be traded with spread betting.

Because there is a limited supply of top wine and high demand from around the globe that usually exceeds supply this generally keeps prices up over the long term - but like some illiquid shares, in the short term prices can remain unmoved for a while. But unlike shares, many buyers don't just buy for investment; they happily and rapidly drink up their bottles which reduces the world stocks.

AIM stock to watch: Energetix

By Oliver Haill

Shares in eco-boiler maker Energetix have been given the serious cold shoulder since a recent announcement by the company. Just look at the chart below where the price has fizzled from 35p to below 15p in a fortnight.  

It's not surprising really. When your chief executive resigns and you confess that might need more cash in the future, the market doesn't tend to take a fond view. However, I believe the market has over-reacted on a long-term view, as it generally does, which allows more optimistic investors to take opportunity. 

Energetix is poised to benefit from government energy deregulation and has a shrewd and unusual business model that is not reflected in the shares - this time next year I can see the shares back to where they were in April.   

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