When a minority shareholder (or shareholders) has enough voting power to influence or determine corporate policy. Working control exists particularly in corporations with widely dispersed share ownership where no shareholder has a majority interest. Taobiz explains Working Control Working control exists when a minority shareholder or multiple minority shareholders unite to possess a controlling vote in a corporation. The opportunity for minority shareholders to gain this control is seen especially in corporations where there is no dominant majority (greater than 50%) shareholder. While there are no official benchmarks for defining working control, 20% ownership is often considered large enough to exhibit this level of influence.
Work that has not been completed but has already incurred a capital investment from the company. Taobiz explains Work in Progress - WIP This is usually recorded as an asset on the balance sheet. Work in progress indicates any good that is not considered to be a final product, but must still be accounted for because funds have been invested toward its production.
Shares given for free to insiders of a society, a firm or a company when that same society, firm or company is undergoing the process of demutualization. Windfall shares are often given to promote goodwill and to encourage the demutualization process. Taobiz explains Windfall Shares Windfall shares are one of the perks that insiders of a firm or a company may receive, and it can be seen as a bonus for the hard work insiders have shown throughout the company's history. For insiders, the personal benefit of these shares is that they can now trade their ownership openly in the market - hopefully for a profit.
A market capitalization-weighted index composed of more than 6,700 publicly-traded companies that meet the following criteria: 1. The companies are headquartered in the United States. 2. The stocks are actively traded on an American stock exchange. 3. The stocks have pricing information that is widely available to the public. Taobiz explains Wilshire 5000 Total Market Index - TMWX The Wilshire 5000 was originally comprised of 5,000 stocks, but today it is made up of more than 6,700. As with all market capitalization-weighted indices, the Wilshire overweights companies with a higher firm value and underweights those with a lower firm value. This is one of the broadest indexes and is designed to track the overall performance of the American stock markets. Its ticker symbol is TMWX.
Reducing the book value of an asset because it is overvalued compared to the market value. Taobiz explains Write-Down This is usually reflected in the company's income statement as an expense, thereby reducing net income.
Relatively low-risk stocks from well-known firms that pay high dividends. Taobiz explains Widow-and-Orphan Stock Widow-and-Orphan stocks are generally chosen during bear markets and ignored during bull markets. This is because these companies are perceived to be able to maintain their dividend payment schedule through difficult financial times.
A dual trade transaction enacted by a specialist in an individual stock issue. The first trade in a write out will be between the specialist and a floor trader, using the specialist's own inventory of stock, which is sold to the trader. The trader then executes the second part of the trade by transacting the same number of shares with an end client or firm. Taobiz explains Write Out Specialists are given daily inventories of stock to use as they see fit to maintain an orderly market in the stocks in which they make markets. By stepping in to purchase or sell shares as needed, they can ensure a smooth and orderly market, even during rocky trading days. The advent of electronic trading platforms has limited the need for specialists and write outs, but so far, machines have not completely erased the need for people on the trading floor.
A type of sustainable competitive advantage that a business possesses that makes it difficult for rivals to wear down its market share and profit. The term is derived from the water filled moats that surrounded medieval castles. The wider the moat, the more difficult it would be for an invader to reach the castle. Taobiz explains Wide Economic Moat Businesses that possess at least one factor of Porter's 5 forces model would possess a wide economic moat. For example, a business that holds an exclusive patent for the creation of a miracle drug would effectively keep potential competitors out of its business. Having few or no competitors would allow the company to continually generate high levels of profit. Legendary investor Warren Buffett is renowned for his philosophy of investing in businesses with wide economic moat.