IMF [International Monetary Fund]
Established along with the World Bank in 1945, the IMF is a specialized agency affiliated with the United Nations and is responsible for stabilizing international exchange rates and payments. The main business of the IMF is the provision of loans to its members (including industrialized and developing countries) when they experience balance of payments difficulties. These loans frequently carry conditions that require substantial internal economic adjustments by the recipients, most of which are developing countries.
Index
Index comes in various forms and purposes. The stock market indexes measure the respective value of a group of company shares. In other words, they indicate the performance of stocks. Price indexes, on the other hand, typically stand for weighted averages of prices for certain categories of goods and services. They illustrate the fluctuation of prices in a particular area and during a defined period of time.
Stock market indexes may be tentatively categorized as global, national, and specific. The national indexes reflect the performance of stocks in a particular state. The best known national indexes are the American, DJIA (Dow Jones Industrial Index), UK FTSE 100, and the German DAX (Deutscher Aktien IndeX), among others. Global indexes reflect the international performance of stocks. The Dow Jones, in particular, reflects the trading of large public companies. Its average is calculated, based on the stock of the thirty largest companies in the US such as American Express, IBM, and Hewlett-Packard. One of the most quoted indexes is the S&P Global 500 Index. The latter includes five hundred public companies with operations in multiple countries. Its stocks are traded on the NYSE Euronext and on the NASDAX OMX. Specialized indexes track the performance of stock in specific sectors of the economy. They may be focused on particular fields, such as metallurgy, or they may track firms of certain scope, region, management particularities, and others characteristics.
As suggested, price indexes stand for the average price of goods and services. They are used to measure the cost of living in a certain country. The Consumer Price Index reflects the average price of consumer (mass market) services and goods that are purchased by the households of a certain region. The index follows the fluctuation of prices for a constant market basket of products and indicates the level of inflation in a particular economy.
Infidel
A person who does not believe in a particular religion, especially the prevailing religion; specifically, (a) among Christians, a non-Christian (b) among Muslims, a non-Muslim.
Interest
The term interest refers to a fee that is charged by a lending institution for a borrowed sum of money. The interest is typically expressed in the form of annual percentage of the principal. The justification behind interest is that the lender should be compensated for missing out on other investments that may be made with the issued loan. Here, opportunity cost stands for the next best alternative as a result of the investment choices. In brief, the foregone investment option represents opportunity cost for the lending institution.
Consumer goods, money, and shares may be lent for a corresponding interest. In general terms, the amount of the borrowed sum is referred to as the principal. The fee, in the form of percentage of the principal, is called interest rate. Several types of interest can be differentiated. Simple interest is computed over the original principal or the amount which remains due. The calculation of the following periods does not include accrued interest from past periods. Two possible complications appear with offers that involve simple interest. Firstly, the time value of money renders comparison difficult, if one looks at two identical rates at different time periods. Secondly, the unpaid interest turns into interest payable. In this case, it transforms from simple interest into compound interest. The latter should be calculated on the original principal for each period, including interest accrued during past periods. The interest may be specified as an annual rate. However under the compound interest, the borrower is required to pay interest on the previous interest.
Furthermore, credits typically include other types of payments such as charges and fees. The annual percentage rate covers the yearly interest rate, including any fees and other expenses. Finally, some loans include unchangeable interest rate referred to as fixed interest rate. Other loans are based on a reference rate which remains outside the control of the lender and the borrower. Such changeable rates are known as floating rates.
Investment
Invest refers to the term "vestis" which comes from Latin. This relates to placing money or cash into the pockets of other persons.
Investing refers to a term covering several interrelated meanings that find applications in the fields of economics, finance, and business planning and coordination (management). These meanings refer to saving and postponing consumption. Investing involves redirection of various resources. An unprofitable option is to consume them immediately. Instead, one can use them to build up benefits at some future period. In other words, the investor uses his assets in order to earn a profit. Investment differs from speculation with regard to the thorough analysis that precedes and accompanies the investment decision.
Investing in something or in someone is a decision, made by a person or a business entity. Investments that carry low risk and offer the opportunity of generating returns can be made in a pension fund, in a vehicle, property, stock securities, bond, etc.
The term "investment" covers different assets in the fields of economics and finance. Economists focus on real investments in vehicles, real estates, equipment, or inventory. Financial economists concentrate on financial assets or products, such as bank deposits, or other financial resources that can serve for the purchase of real assets.
In general, individuals employ the available goods or their cash equivalent with the aim of producing a sound good or service. An alternative will be to lend the original good or cash to another person or business entity in return for interest or a share in the profits.
An asset is typically purchased. However, an equivalent deposit may be placed in the bank in order to receive a return or interest over this amount in the future. In general, investment refers to the use of money with the aim of earning profits.
Investment Advisor
Recently, more and more companies need to use the services of investment advisors in order to expand their business. So, questions emerge about these experts- how they function and what is the best way to choose one.
The investment advisor is an individual or a company that gives advices to clients about securities in investment matters in a professional manner. They are mainly asked for advice on how to invest in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, etc. In return, they receive compensation.
Generally, there are two categories of investment advisors: investment advisors who offer financial advice to persons or legal entities; and, investment advisors who provide asset management that is intended to corporations.
If you expect to receive a good and profitable advice from an investment advisor, you must give at his disposal the required personal and financial information about your company. In this way, the data will be used to analyze the situation of your investments. He will recommend possible routes of action with regard to these investments. The advisor must be aware of your your financial goals, your tolerance of risk, and your expected rate of return on the investments.
Here are some of the basic types of advices an investment advisor can provide:
• What types of assets to invest in;
• Whether it is best to invest in stocks or to buy mutual funds;
• Which types of investments to employ in your retirement accounts;
• What risks come up with each investment;
• Which portfolio will bring the intended rate of return;
• What type of investments you must own in the form of non-retirement accounts;
• What types of taxable income will be generated;
• How to rearrange investments in order to reduce the amount of taxable income;
• Taxes accrued while trading investments.
Finally depending on the nature of the relationship, investment advisors charge fees, calculated as a percent of the assets that he manages on an annual basis, an hourly or alternatively, on a "flat fee" basis.
Investment Bank
Investment Banks represent individuals or legal entities which act in the capacity of underwriters that trade securities for companies and municipalities. Most investment banks also undertake brokerage operations and maintain the market for previously issued stock. They offer consultative services to investors in view of equity securities, foreign exchanges, derivatives, and commodities, among others. Investment banks track the securities market and offer advice on the most suitable timing for public offerings. They provide consultations on best approaches to the management of companies' public assets. In addition, these bodies facilitate mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructuring, and divestitures.
In general, investment banks assist businesses in the acquisition of funds. Their activities are organized into front, middle, and back offices. The front office assists with fund raising and offers advice on mergers and acquisitions. This branch is responsible for the provision of assistance to clients who operate in diverging market conditions. The branch employs quantitative instruments and takes the microeconomic climate into consideration. The front office contains a research branch that examines the prospects of businesses and offers assistance to potential investors. The middle office is responsible for the assessment of the market situation and the economic risks. Its two major functions involve market and credit risk assessment. The finance branch functions to manage the capitals of the company and to monitor the level of risk. Finally, the back office deals with transactions and conducts data checkups. Its information and technology department provides the necessary technical support.
Investment banks in the USA are represented by companies such as Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, and Chase Manhattan Corp. In Canada, some of the large investment banks include the RBC Direct Investing, the ScotiaMcLeod Direct Investing, Waterous Securities Inc., the RBC Capital Markets branch of the Royal Bank of Canada, the TD Securities branch of the TD Bank Financial Group, the BMO Capital Market branch of BMO Financial Group, and others.
Investment Company
Investment Company is a company or trust, which invests capital in other companies on behalf of its shareholders. Most investment companies pool funds from many small investors and invest it in a large portfolio, depending on its return objective. Examples of investment companies are unit investment trusts, mutual funds and closed-end funds.
Investment Counsel
Investment Counsel is an individual or a corporation, which main business is providing paid investment advice.
Investment Portfolio
An investment portfolio is an appropriate mix of investments that are held by individuals and institutions. The idea behind it is to limit the risk.
Anyone who does any kind of investment needs an investment portfolio. Spreading the investment is considered also a good idea, and it is a popular answer to the threat of incurring a loss in one investment area. Below are given advices on how to create an investment portfolio that is balanced and enables one to fight the unfavorable circumstances in one particular sector.
A balanced portfolio will not only comprise of various stock types but will also include items known to be financially sound, even if they do not guarantee a high profit. When trading stock, it is a good idea to include trust funds, bonds and property. The idea behind this decision is that one does not risk everything. Even though the bonds' interest rates are not as high, they are stable and thus provide a guarantee against loss. Trust funds perform even better than bonds as they are, in general, more stable than stock.
It is a kind of stock investment rule never to invest more than one requires or is manageable in terms of loss. The reason is plain to spot - losing everything is not an option. However, by dividing your investments between these different instruments of investment, a much stable investment portfolio can be a fact and one can still retire with it at the end.
When creating an investment portfolio that is stable, one should do his best to learn all the investment techniques in order to acquire a comprehensive understanding of mutual funds and the stock market. One should find out the products he can invest into with relative success. One may also decide to invest in foreign properties or he can to try his fortunes on the FOREX market.
IPO [Initial Public Offering]
Initial Public Offering (IPO) is the first issue of company shares to the public. Usually, new entities aim at collecting sufficient capital in order to expand their operations. This act allows them to raise extensive capital and secure their sustainable growth. There are several benefits arising from a successful listing on the capital markets. Firstly, the IPO gives access to funding which helps in the completion of strategic mergers and acquisitions. Secondly, it offers an opportunity to expand businesses into new markets. Thirdly, the IPO enhances the perception of businesses and brands in the eyes of the customers, employees, and potential investors. For these reasons, some leading companies also opt for initial public trading. A justification is that the entities are not required, under existing legislation, to repay this capital. Rather than that, the investors are entitled to a portion of the profits and the right to participate in the distribution of capital if the company dissolves.
The IPO typically involves one or more financial institutions, or investment banks, which raise capital and trade with securities on the capital markets. The issuing company enters an agreement with the investment bank to sell its stock. The actual sale may be conducted in a variety of ways. For instance, the best effort contract mandates that the underwriter sells as much stock as possible at the agreed price. The all-or-none contract mandates that the investment bank sells the whole stock or the contract is considered void. Under the terms of the bought deal, the underwriter actually purchases the shares of the issuer. Typically, the issuer makes large discounts and the shares are easy to sell on the stock market. Under the firm commitment contract, the investment bank guarantees the sale of the whole issue at the negotiated price. This type of agreement is the riskiest for the underwriter and consequently, the most expensive for the issuing entity.
IQD
Iraqi Dinar
IRA
IRA (Individual Retirement Account) represents a retirement account, usually offering various tax advantages and benefits in view of retirement savings.
There are several different kinds of individual retirement accounts. They are either provided by the employer or alternatively, the plan may be self-provided. They cover several types of accounts, explained below.
Roth IRA refers to individual plans with tax free contributions; the taxes do not have bearing on transactions. This type of account is named after the USA lawyer and Senator William Roth. The Traditional IRA represents an arrangement that allows the persons to pay income tax only after he begins to make withdrawals. However, early withdrawals result in considerable penalty fees. There are limits on the annual contributions made to the traditional and Roth accounts. The latter are stipulated by the government.
The SEP IRA is a provision designed for an employer (this may be a relatively small business entity or a self-employed professional). Contributions will be made in a similar manner to the traditional form, but the account is set in the name of the employee.
The Simple IRA refers to an employee type of pension plan according. Here, the contributions are made by the employee and the worker. The Self-Directed IRA entitles account holders to act on behalf of their plans with regard to investments.
The two additional types of individual retirement are referred to as Conduit and Rollover IRA. Some say that they can be regarded as anachronistic under the current tax regulations. The tax treatment of the above mentioned categories of retirement accounts, with the exception of Roth IRAs, are substantially similar in view of rules that regulate the distributions and withdrawals. Additional rules guide the arrangements under SEP IRAs and the SIMPLE IRAs. However, they are typically very close to the rules that regulate the qualified plans.
Issue
Issue is any of corporation’s securities. Issue also means the distribution of corporation’s securities.
ISX
Iraqi Stock Exchange
Established along with the World Bank in 1945, the IMF is a specialized agency affiliated with the United Nations and is responsible for stabilizing international exchange rates and payments. The main business of the IMF is the provision of loans to its members (including industrialized and developing countries) when they experience balance of payments difficulties. These loans frequently carry conditions that require substantial internal economic adjustments by the recipients, most of which are developing countries.
Index
Index comes in various forms and purposes. The stock market indexes measure the respective value of a group of company shares. In other words, they indicate the performance of stocks. Price indexes, on the other hand, typically stand for weighted averages of prices for certain categories of goods and services. They illustrate the fluctuation of prices in a particular area and during a defined period of time.
Stock market indexes may be tentatively categorized as global, national, and specific. The national indexes reflect the performance of stocks in a particular state. The best known national indexes are the American, DJIA (Dow Jones Industrial Index), UK FTSE 100, and the German DAX (Deutscher Aktien IndeX), among others. Global indexes reflect the international performance of stocks. The Dow Jones, in particular, reflects the trading of large public companies. Its average is calculated, based on the stock of the thirty largest companies in the US such as American Express, IBM, and Hewlett-Packard. One of the most quoted indexes is the S&P Global 500 Index. The latter includes five hundred public companies with operations in multiple countries. Its stocks are traded on the NYSE Euronext and on the NASDAX OMX. Specialized indexes track the performance of stock in specific sectors of the economy. They may be focused on particular fields, such as metallurgy, or they may track firms of certain scope, region, management particularities, and others characteristics.
As suggested, price indexes stand for the average price of goods and services. They are used to measure the cost of living in a certain country. The Consumer Price Index reflects the average price of consumer (mass market) services and goods that are purchased by the households of a certain region. The index follows the fluctuation of prices for a constant market basket of products and indicates the level of inflation in a particular economy.
Infidel
A person who does not believe in a particular religion, especially the prevailing religion; specifically, (a) among Christians, a non-Christian (b) among Muslims, a non-Muslim.
Interest
The term interest refers to a fee that is charged by a lending institution for a borrowed sum of money. The interest is typically expressed in the form of annual percentage of the principal. The justification behind interest is that the lender should be compensated for missing out on other investments that may be made with the issued loan. Here, opportunity cost stands for the next best alternative as a result of the investment choices. In brief, the foregone investment option represents opportunity cost for the lending institution.
Consumer goods, money, and shares may be lent for a corresponding interest. In general terms, the amount of the borrowed sum is referred to as the principal. The fee, in the form of percentage of the principal, is called interest rate. Several types of interest can be differentiated. Simple interest is computed over the original principal or the amount which remains due. The calculation of the following periods does not include accrued interest from past periods. Two possible complications appear with offers that involve simple interest. Firstly, the time value of money renders comparison difficult, if one looks at two identical rates at different time periods. Secondly, the unpaid interest turns into interest payable. In this case, it transforms from simple interest into compound interest. The latter should be calculated on the original principal for each period, including interest accrued during past periods. The interest may be specified as an annual rate. However under the compound interest, the borrower is required to pay interest on the previous interest.
Furthermore, credits typically include other types of payments such as charges and fees. The annual percentage rate covers the yearly interest rate, including any fees and other expenses. Finally, some loans include unchangeable interest rate referred to as fixed interest rate. Other loans are based on a reference rate which remains outside the control of the lender and the borrower. Such changeable rates are known as floating rates.
Investment
Invest refers to the term "vestis" which comes from Latin. This relates to placing money or cash into the pockets of other persons.
Investing refers to a term covering several interrelated meanings that find applications in the fields of economics, finance, and business planning and coordination (management). These meanings refer to saving and postponing consumption. Investing involves redirection of various resources. An unprofitable option is to consume them immediately. Instead, one can use them to build up benefits at some future period. In other words, the investor uses his assets in order to earn a profit. Investment differs from speculation with regard to the thorough analysis that precedes and accompanies the investment decision.
Investing in something or in someone is a decision, made by a person or a business entity. Investments that carry low risk and offer the opportunity of generating returns can be made in a pension fund, in a vehicle, property, stock securities, bond, etc.
The term "investment" covers different assets in the fields of economics and finance. Economists focus on real investments in vehicles, real estates, equipment, or inventory. Financial economists concentrate on financial assets or products, such as bank deposits, or other financial resources that can serve for the purchase of real assets.
In general, individuals employ the available goods or their cash equivalent with the aim of producing a sound good or service. An alternative will be to lend the original good or cash to another person or business entity in return for interest or a share in the profits.
An asset is typically purchased. However, an equivalent deposit may be placed in the bank in order to receive a return or interest over this amount in the future. In general, investment refers to the use of money with the aim of earning profits.
Investment Advisor
Recently, more and more companies need to use the services of investment advisors in order to expand their business. So, questions emerge about these experts- how they function and what is the best way to choose one.
The investment advisor is an individual or a company that gives advices to clients about securities in investment matters in a professional manner. They are mainly asked for advice on how to invest in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, etc. In return, they receive compensation.
Generally, there are two categories of investment advisors: investment advisors who offer financial advice to persons or legal entities; and, investment advisors who provide asset management that is intended to corporations.
If you expect to receive a good and profitable advice from an investment advisor, you must give at his disposal the required personal and financial information about your company. In this way, the data will be used to analyze the situation of your investments. He will recommend possible routes of action with regard to these investments. The advisor must be aware of your your financial goals, your tolerance of risk, and your expected rate of return on the investments.
Here are some of the basic types of advices an investment advisor can provide:
• What types of assets to invest in;
• Whether it is best to invest in stocks or to buy mutual funds;
• Which types of investments to employ in your retirement accounts;
• What risks come up with each investment;
• Which portfolio will bring the intended rate of return;
• What type of investments you must own in the form of non-retirement accounts;
• What types of taxable income will be generated;
• How to rearrange investments in order to reduce the amount of taxable income;
• Taxes accrued while trading investments.
Finally depending on the nature of the relationship, investment advisors charge fees, calculated as a percent of the assets that he manages on an annual basis, an hourly or alternatively, on a "flat fee" basis.
Investment Bank
Investment Banks represent individuals or legal entities which act in the capacity of underwriters that trade securities for companies and municipalities. Most investment banks also undertake brokerage operations and maintain the market for previously issued stock. They offer consultative services to investors in view of equity securities, foreign exchanges, derivatives, and commodities, among others. Investment banks track the securities market and offer advice on the most suitable timing for public offerings. They provide consultations on best approaches to the management of companies' public assets. In addition, these bodies facilitate mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructuring, and divestitures.
In general, investment banks assist businesses in the acquisition of funds. Their activities are organized into front, middle, and back offices. The front office assists with fund raising and offers advice on mergers and acquisitions. This branch is responsible for the provision of assistance to clients who operate in diverging market conditions. The branch employs quantitative instruments and takes the microeconomic climate into consideration. The front office contains a research branch that examines the prospects of businesses and offers assistance to potential investors. The middle office is responsible for the assessment of the market situation and the economic risks. Its two major functions involve market and credit risk assessment. The finance branch functions to manage the capitals of the company and to monitor the level of risk. Finally, the back office deals with transactions and conducts data checkups. Its information and technology department provides the necessary technical support.
Investment banks in the USA are represented by companies such as Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, and Chase Manhattan Corp. In Canada, some of the large investment banks include the RBC Direct Investing, the ScotiaMcLeod Direct Investing, Waterous Securities Inc., the RBC Capital Markets branch of the Royal Bank of Canada, the TD Securities branch of the TD Bank Financial Group, the BMO Capital Market branch of BMO Financial Group, and others.
Investment Company
Investment Company is a company or trust, which invests capital in other companies on behalf of its shareholders. Most investment companies pool funds from many small investors and invest it in a large portfolio, depending on its return objective. Examples of investment companies are unit investment trusts, mutual funds and closed-end funds.
Investment Counsel
Investment Counsel is an individual or a corporation, which main business is providing paid investment advice.
Investment Portfolio
An investment portfolio is an appropriate mix of investments that are held by individuals and institutions. The idea behind it is to limit the risk.
Anyone who does any kind of investment needs an investment portfolio. Spreading the investment is considered also a good idea, and it is a popular answer to the threat of incurring a loss in one investment area. Below are given advices on how to create an investment portfolio that is balanced and enables one to fight the unfavorable circumstances in one particular sector.
A balanced portfolio will not only comprise of various stock types but will also include items known to be financially sound, even if they do not guarantee a high profit. When trading stock, it is a good idea to include trust funds, bonds and property. The idea behind this decision is that one does not risk everything. Even though the bonds' interest rates are not as high, they are stable and thus provide a guarantee against loss. Trust funds perform even better than bonds as they are, in general, more stable than stock.
It is a kind of stock investment rule never to invest more than one requires or is manageable in terms of loss. The reason is plain to spot - losing everything is not an option. However, by dividing your investments between these different instruments of investment, a much stable investment portfolio can be a fact and one can still retire with it at the end.
When creating an investment portfolio that is stable, one should do his best to learn all the investment techniques in order to acquire a comprehensive understanding of mutual funds and the stock market. One should find out the products he can invest into with relative success. One may also decide to invest in foreign properties or he can to try his fortunes on the FOREX market.
IPO [Initial Public Offering]
Initial Public Offering (IPO) is the first issue of company shares to the public. Usually, new entities aim at collecting sufficient capital in order to expand their operations. This act allows them to raise extensive capital and secure their sustainable growth. There are several benefits arising from a successful listing on the capital markets. Firstly, the IPO gives access to funding which helps in the completion of strategic mergers and acquisitions. Secondly, it offers an opportunity to expand businesses into new markets. Thirdly, the IPO enhances the perception of businesses and brands in the eyes of the customers, employees, and potential investors. For these reasons, some leading companies also opt for initial public trading. A justification is that the entities are not required, under existing legislation, to repay this capital. Rather than that, the investors are entitled to a portion of the profits and the right to participate in the distribution of capital if the company dissolves.
The IPO typically involves one or more financial institutions, or investment banks, which raise capital and trade with securities on the capital markets. The issuing company enters an agreement with the investment bank to sell its stock. The actual sale may be conducted in a variety of ways. For instance, the best effort contract mandates that the underwriter sells as much stock as possible at the agreed price. The all-or-none contract mandates that the investment bank sells the whole stock or the contract is considered void. Under the terms of the bought deal, the underwriter actually purchases the shares of the issuer. Typically, the issuer makes large discounts and the shares are easy to sell on the stock market. Under the firm commitment contract, the investment bank guarantees the sale of the whole issue at the negotiated price. This type of agreement is the riskiest for the underwriter and consequently, the most expensive for the issuing entity.
IQD
Iraqi Dinar
IRA
IRA (Individual Retirement Account) represents a retirement account, usually offering various tax advantages and benefits in view of retirement savings.
There are several different kinds of individual retirement accounts. They are either provided by the employer or alternatively, the plan may be self-provided. They cover several types of accounts, explained below.
Roth IRA refers to individual plans with tax free contributions; the taxes do not have bearing on transactions. This type of account is named after the USA lawyer and Senator William Roth. The Traditional IRA represents an arrangement that allows the persons to pay income tax only after he begins to make withdrawals. However, early withdrawals result in considerable penalty fees. There are limits on the annual contributions made to the traditional and Roth accounts. The latter are stipulated by the government.
The SEP IRA is a provision designed for an employer (this may be a relatively small business entity or a self-employed professional). Contributions will be made in a similar manner to the traditional form, but the account is set in the name of the employee.
The Simple IRA refers to an employee type of pension plan according. Here, the contributions are made by the employee and the worker. The Self-Directed IRA entitles account holders to act on behalf of their plans with regard to investments.
The two additional types of individual retirement are referred to as Conduit and Rollover IRA. Some say that they can be regarded as anachronistic under the current tax regulations. The tax treatment of the above mentioned categories of retirement accounts, with the exception of Roth IRAs, are substantially similar in view of rules that regulate the distributions and withdrawals. Additional rules guide the arrangements under SEP IRAs and the SIMPLE IRAs. However, they are typically very close to the rules that regulate the qualified plans.
Issue
Issue is any of corporation’s securities. Issue also means the distribution of corporation’s securities.
ISX
Iraqi Stock Exchange