The Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (AIFMD) is a regulatory framework implemented by the European Union to oversee and regulate the management of alternative investment funds, enhancing investor protection and market stability.
A framework established by the European Union to regulate hedge funds and private equity firms, ensuring that they operate under supervision to mitigate systemic risk and protect investors.
The Alternative Investment Market (AIM) is a sub-market of the London Stock Exchange that gives smaller companies the opportunity to raise capital and gain visibility among investors.
The Alternative Investment Market (AIM) is a sub-market of the London Stock Exchange (LSE). Launched in June 1995 to replace the Unlisted Securities Market, AIM provides a platform for smaller, growing companies to raise capital and have their shares publicly traded without the significant costs and regulatory complexities associated with a full market listing.
Alternative investments refer to financial assets that fall outside the traditional categories of stocks, bonds, and cash. These can include tangible assets like art and real estate, as well as financial instruments like hedge funds and private equity.
A federal tax designed to ensure that wealthy individuals, estates, trusts, and corporations pay a minimum amount of tax regardless of deductions, credits, or exemptions.
An Alternative Mortgage Instrument (AMI) is any mortgage other than a fixed-interest-rate, level-payment amortizing loan. These instruments are often used to accommodate varying financial circumstances and offer different terms compared to traditional loans.
An overview of Alternative Trading Systems (ATS), platforms that allow trading securities outside of traditional exchanges, under regulatory oversight.
An Alternative Trading System (ATS) is a non-exchange trading venue that matches buyers and sellers to trade securities, usually through electronic means. It operates independently of the traditional stock exchanges and is often used to facilitate large block trades with minimally impacting the market.
Altman's Z-Score is a financial formula developed by Edward I. Altman in the 1960s that is used to predict the likelihood of a company entering bankruptcy within the next two years. Utilizing multiple corporate income and balance sheet values, this score provides an insight into the financial stability of a business.
Amalgamation is the combination of two or more companies into a single entity, either by acquisition, merging, or dissolution and reconstitution as a new company.
To accumulate an item such as money, property, or goods. A company may stock up on a commodity now for future sale when it believes that a sharp increase in the price of the commodity will take place at a later date.
The first prominent online retail (e-tail) merchant, Amazon.com, started as a bookstore in Seattle, Washington, and has since expanded to sell or facilitate the sale of a wide variety of products globally.
To change or modify a legal document, statute, contract, or pleading without completely abolishing its original form.
An amended tax return is a form filed as a correction, supplement, or replacement for an original tax return. For instance, individuals use Form 1040X, and corporations use Form 1120X, to claim refunds or rectify errors in prior year tax returns.
An amendment is an addition to or a modification of a legal document. When properly executed, it has the full legal effect of the original document.
In the field of real estate appraisal, amenities refer to the nonmonetary benefits that a property offers to its owner. These benefits can enhance the property's appeal and value without having a direct financial impact. Examples include pride in home ownership, scenic views, and accessibility to cultural or recreational activities.
America Online (AOL) is a pioneering commercial online service that has served as an entry point to the Internet for millions of home and business customers.
America Online, commonly known as AOL, played a pivotal role in the adoption of Internet services in the 1990s, offering dial-up service, online messaging, and various digital media services.
The American Accounting Association (AAA) is an influential organization consisting primarily of academic accountants. Founded in 1916, the AAA has significantly contributed to the development of accounting theory through publications, reports, and journals.
A 75-year-old organization available to resolve a wide range of disputes through mediation, arbitration, elections, and other out-of-court settlement procedures. The AAA provides cost-effective ADR resources to counsel, businesses, industry professionals, their employees, customers, and business partners.
The American Association of Individual Investors (AAII) is an organization headquartered in Chicago that is committed to the investment education of its more than 150,000 members, with annual membership dues of approximately $29.
The American Automobile Association (AAA), commonly referred to as Triple-A, is a federation of motor clubs throughout North America which provides its members with a variety of services including roadside assistance, travel services, and insurance.
The American Bankers Association (ABA) is a trade organization dedicated to serving the interests of commercial banks and other financial institutions. It is known for its advocacy, education, and publication efforts within the banking industry.
The American Bar Association (ABA) is a national association of lawyers and law students committed to improving the delivery of legal services, advancing the rule of law, and promoting justice.
American Business Media is a renowned company that was founded in 1906, specializes in business-to-business research, and promotes business communication research principles.
An organization representing trade magazines and business publications to promote best practices and uphold standards within the industry. Now known as Connectiv, the association aims to provide valuable professional resources and advocacy for its members.
An American Depositary Receipt (ADR) is a negotiable certificate issued by a U.S. bank representing shares in a foreign company traded on U.S. financial markets. ADRs offer U.S. investors a way to invest in overseas companies without dealing with foreign brokerage firms.
An American Depositary Receipt (ADR) is a financial instrument issued by U.S. banks that allows domestic buyers to invest in foreign companies as a convenient substitute for direct ownership of stock.
An American Depositary Receipt (ADR) is a receipt issued by a US bank to a member of the US public who has bought shares in a foreign country. The certificates are denominated in US dollars and can be traded as securities in US markets. ADRs reduce administration costs and avoid stamp duty on each transaction.
The American Economic Association (AEA) is an organization of economists, primarily consisting of academicians, focused on advancing economic research and discussions.
The American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) is a national trade union center, the largest federation of unions in the United States. It works to improve the lives of working people through its advocacy in policy, economy, and human rights.
The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) is an organization headquartered in New York whose members are Certified Public Accountants (CPAs). The AICPA prepares the CPA examination and provides educational and newsworthy information to its members.
In the USA, the professional organization of certified public accountants. The Institute provides technical advice and guidance to its members and such government bodies as the Securities and Exchange Commission. It issues many influential publications in the areas of accounting, auditing, and taxation.
A comprehensive U.S. legislation that repeals the Foreign Sales Corporation/Extraterritorial Income regime and enacts a variety of tax-related changes to boost domestic job creation.
The American Management Association (AMA) is a professional management association based in New York that offers publications, nationwide wage surveys, training seminars, and meetings for management personnel.
The American Marketing Association (AMA) is a national professional society comprised of marketing and marketing research executives, sales and promotion managers, advertising specialists, and marketing teachers. Based in Chicago, the AMA provides a wealth of resources including publications like Marketing News, the Journal of Marketing, and the Journal of Marketing Research.
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is a private, non-profit organization that oversees the development of voluntary consensus standards for products, services, processes, systems, and personnel in the United States.
A modification of the former Hope Scholarship Tax Credit, AOTC provides up to $2,500 a year for eligible postsecondary education expenses including course materials, with gross income limitations and up to 40% of the credit being refundable.
An American Option is a type of options contract that can be exercised on any business day prior to its expiry date, providing flexibility to the option holder. This contrasts with a European Option, which can only be exercised at its expiration date.
The American Plan, commonly used in hotels, incorporates room, meals, and services into one inclusive price.
A federal law enacted to stimulate economic recovery by appropriating $790 billion for infrastructure projects, providing tax benefits, and granting funds to states and localities.
An organization of appraisal professionals and others interested in the appraisal profession, the American Society of Appraisers (ASA) is international in structure, self-supporting, and independent. It is the oldest and sole major appraisal organization representing all disciplines of appraisal specialists, originating in 1936 and incorporating in 1952.
The American Stock Exchange (AMEX) is the third-largest options exchange in the United States, known for pioneering index options on broad-based and sector indices. Acquired by NYSE Euronext in 2008, AMEX combines electronic trading with a human-based open outcry system.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, such as jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with physical handicaps, encompassing aspects such as hiring practices and the design of buildings intended to serve the public.
Latin for 'friend of the court.' Amicus curiae refers to a person or organization that is not a party to a legal case but offers information or expertise to assist the court in its decision-making.
Amortization is the process of gradually writing off the initial cost of an asset over a specific term or the repayment of debt in installments.
Amortization refers to the process of reducing debt through periodic payments or the systematic write-off of intangible asset costs over a set period.
Amortization refers to the process of spreading out a loan into a series of fixed payments over a specified period of time. Each payment covers both principal and interest, resulting in the gradual reduction of the loan balance.
An amortization schedule details the specific payments required to repay a loan, providing clarity on the principal and interest components of each payment over the entire term of the loan.
Amortization term refers to the time it takes to retire a debt through periodic payments. It is usually associated with loans and mortgages, indicating the full duration over which regular payments are made to fully repay the debt.
Amortized cost refers to the part of the value of an asset that has been written off due to accumulated depreciation over time. It is a key accounting concept used to allocate the cost of an asset over its useful life.
An amortized loan is a loan that is repaid through regular payments including both principal and interest over a specified period.
A loan in which the repayment is made in more than one installment, as opposed to a bullet loan where the repayment is made in a single lump sum at the end of the term.
In financial contexts, the term 'amount' refers to a specific sum represented numerically, often in dollar terms, used in transactions, budgeting, accounting, and various business contexts.
In insurance contexts, the 'Amount at Risk' is a key concept that refers to the potential financial loss an insurer faces, which can vary depending on the type of insurance policy.
The amount of one, often referred to as the 'compound amount of one', is a financial metric used to determine the future value of a single sum of money invested at a particular interest rate over a specified period.
The amount of one per period refers to the compound amount that accumulates when one unit of currency is invested at the end of each period for a certain number of periods at a specific interest rate. This concept is critical in understanding the future value of annuities in finance.
The ampersand is a logogram '&' representing the conjunction 'and'. This character is commonly used in various forms of digital and print communications.
Amtrak is the trade name of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, a government-owned for-profit corporation that provides intercity passenger rail services throughout the United States.
Representing data in a form other than binary digits (bits), allowing for continuous variation. Analog devices use continuous signals to capture or reproduce sound, color, and other data, as opposed to binary systems which use discrete on/off states.
Analysis refers to the examination and division of a business-related situation or problem into major elements in order to understand the item in question and make appropriate recommendations.
A statistical model used to determine whether there are any statistically significant differences between the means of three or more independent groups.
Variance analysis in standard costing and budgetary control examining sub-variances to understand the causes of differences between budgeted and actual figures in financial performance.
An analyst is a professional who studies data and makes recommendations on various courses of business actions. Analysts may specialize in various fields such as budgets, credit, securities, financial patterns, sales, and more.
Procedures and techniques employed to perform an analysis of a situation or event. For example, an investor, in deciding whether to commit funds to a company, would engage in financial statement analysis by looking at trends in the accounts over the years (e.g., sales) and financial ratios.
An analytical approach to an audit comparing financial and non-financial data to determine if they appear reasonable, used during various audit stages.
An audit test designed to provide evidence of the completeness, accuracy, and validity of accounting records and financial statements.
An anchor tenant plays a pivotal role in the context of real estate development, specifically within shopping centers and office buildings. It usually refers to a prominent, well-known business that leases a significant portion of the property, thereby attracting other tenants and customers.
Any supplementary item or service that supports the main operations or revenues of a business or activity, but is not the primary focus of that business or activity.
A comprehensive overview of ancillary credit businesses and their roles in credit brokerage, debt adjusting, debt counselling, debt collecting, debt administration, and credit-reference agency operations, according to the Consumer Credit Act 1974.
Android is a software framework developed by Google, Inc., that serves as an operating system, middleware, and an application platform for numerous smart devices globally. It is widely used on various smartphone models and has become a predominant mobile OS.
Anergy refers to the condition of inactivity or a lack of energy in a system, often used to describe low-quality energy that cannot be converted into work or power.
Process by which an incorporated city expands its boundaries to include a specified area, usually governed by state law and often requiring a public ballot.
The Annual Abstract of Statistics is an annual publication by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) providing comprehensive and detailed UK industrial, vital, legal, and social statistics. It is now available online.
Annual accounts, also known as annual financial statements, are comprehensive reports on a company's financial position and performance over a fiscal year. These accounts include the balance sheet, income statement, statement of changes in equity, and cash flow statement.
Annual accounts, also known as annual reports, are comprehensive financial statements of an organization typically published annually and required by law for incorporated bodies in the UK.
An annual basis is a statistical technique whereby figures covering a period of less than a year are extended to cover a 12-month period. The procedure, called annualizing, must take seasonal variations (if any) into account to be accurate.
Annual Debt Service refers to the required annual principal and interest payments for a loan. In corporate finance, it is the cash required in a year for payments of interest and current maturities of principal on outstanding debt.
Annual earnings represent the amount of profit a business or individual realizes in one fiscal year. The concept is crucial for financial performance assessment, taxation, and strategic planning.
An exempt transfer under inheritance tax legislation allowing £3,000 to be given each year as a gift without liability to inheritance tax. This amount has remained unchanged since 6 April 1981.
An Annual General Meeting (AGM) is a mandatory yearly gathering of a company's interested shareholders to receive the annual report and elect the board of directors.
An Annual General Meeting (AGM) is a mandatory yearly gathering of a company's interested shareholders. It addresses critical governance and financial matters, including the presentation of the company's accounts, director and auditor reports, dividend recommendations, election of directors, and appointments of auditors.
The annual amount that an individual can give to another person without having to pay federal gift tax, which was up to $13,000 in 2010 and 2011, and periodically adjusted for inflation.
A capital allowance introduced in April 2008 that enables businesses to offset 100% of their capital expenditure in any one year against corporation tax, up to a specified limit. The allowance is available to businesses of any size or legal form and cannot be claimed on non-commercial motor vehicles.
An annual meeting is a once-a-year event where company managers report to stockholders on yearly results, and the board of directors stand for election. The CEO typically comments on the outlook for the upcoming year and answers questions from shareholders.
An Annual Mortgage Constant is a measurement used in real estate to compare the annual debt service to the original loan principal amount. It is used to determine the efficiency of a mortgage from a borrower's perspective.
The Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is the cost of credit that consumers pay, expressed as a simple annual percentage. It represents the annual effective interest rate charged on loans or credit and is mandated by the federal Truth in Lending Act to be disclosed in all consumer loan agreements.
The annual percentage rate (APR) represents the annualized cost of borrowing or the annual rate of return on an investment, incorporating interest rate and all associated fees.
Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is a measure of the cost of borrowing, expressed as a yearly interest rate. It includes interest as well as other fees and charges for a loan.
Annual renewable term insurance is a type of term life insurance that provides coverage for one year at a time with the option to renew annually.
An annual report is a comprehensive document prepared by a company at the end of its financial year, which summarizes its financial performance, business activities, and strategic goals. It is intended for shareholders, stakeholders, and the general public.
An Annual Return is a document that must be filed with the Registrar of Companies within seven months of the end of the relevant accounting period, containing key information about the company, its directors, and its financial status.
An annual wage refers to a fixed salary paid out to an employee over the course of a year, generally used to determine total compensation for employment services provided within that period.
Annualization is a process outlined in the Internal Revenue Code in the United States, where taxable income for part of a year is extended or 'annualized' to a full year by multiplying it by 12 and dividing by the number of months involved. This computation gives a standardized monthly income amount for tax-related purposes.
An annualized rate is an extrapolation of an occurrence lasting a limited time period to determine the amount or rate generated over a year. It is often used to project the yearly performance of an interest rate, investment return, or seasonal business activity such as ice cream sales.
An individual who receives payments from an annuity, a financial product that provides income streams at specified intervals, typically as a retirement tool.
Annuitize refers to the process of converting the accumulated capital in an annuity into a series of periodic payments. These payments can be for a fixed amount, over a fixed period, or for the lifetime of one or more annuitants, ensuring a guaranteed income stream that cannot be outlived.
An annuity is a financial contract in which the purchaser makes an upfront payment to an insurance company in exchange for regular, structured payments either for a specific period or for the remainder of the purchaser's life.
