The most recent price at which an investment (or any other type of asset) has traded. The quoted price of investments such as stocks, bonds, commodities and derivatives changes constantly throughout the day as events occur that affect the financial markets and the perceived value of various investments. The quoted price represents the most recent bid and ask prices that buyers and sellers were able to agree on. Taobiz explains Quoted Price The quoted prices of stocks are displayed on an electronic ticker tape, which shows up-to-the-minute information on trading price and trading volume throughout the trading day. The tape shows the stock (indicated by a three- or four-letter stock symbol), the number of shares traded, the price they traded at (in decimal form), whether the quoted price represents an increase or decrease from the last quoted price and the amount of the change in price.
The minimum acceptable level of individuals with a vested interest in a company needed to make the proceedings of a meeting valid under the corporate charter. Taobiz explains Quorum This clause within a company's charter ensures that there is a sufficient representation of stockholders present at meetings before any changes can be made by the board.
A relatively rare type of yield curve that results when the interest rates on medium-term fixed income securities are higher than the rates of both long and short-term instruments. Humped yield curves are also known as bell-shaped curves. |||A market with a humped yield curve could see rates of bonds with maturities of one to five years trumping those with maturities of less than one year or more than five years. However, this type of yield curve does not happen very often. Although a humped yield curve is often an indicator of slowing economic growth it should not be confused with an inverted yield curve.
Shares that are an interest in a limited partnership that exists solely for the purpose of issuing preferred securities and lending the proceeds of the sales to its parent company. They usually have a $25 par value, NYSE listing and cumulative quarterly distributions. Taobiz explains Quarterly Income Preferred Securities - QUIPS QUIPS are an example of hybrid securities, combining features of preferred stock and corporate bonds. Hybrids can pay a higher rate of return than preferred stock because dividends are paid with pretax dollars and, therefore, they generate a sizable tax break for corporations.
A short-term or long-term bond issued by state or local governments to help finance the construction or rehabilitation of affordable rental housing. Under certain programs, the proceeds from Housing Authority bonds may also be used to help low-income individuals and families purchase a home. The interest received by investors in these bonds is generally exempt from federal, state, and local income taxes. |||Though Housing Authority Bonds have generally been viewed as very safe investments, their status with investors has declined some over the last decade. This change in public opinion has been due to numerous municipal financial crises as well ratings downgrades for many of the private companies that insure these bonds against default. Investors considering Housing Authority Bonds should pay close attention to the ratings of the individual bond issues, the municipality borrowing the money and the private third-party insurers.
A debt instrument offering guaranteed quarterly payments directly to the shareholder by the parent company. Quarterly Income Debt Securities (QUIDS) were formed by Goldman Sachs & Co. and are sold in small denominations, generally $25. They usually are callable by the issuer in 5 years and with maturities of around 30-50 years. Taobiz explains Quarterly Income Debt Securities - QUIDS Typically these are senior unsecured debt that rank above preferred securities and on the same level as other unsubordinated and unsecured debt. These securities were made to be similar to Trust Preferred Securities but excluding the trust.
A quarterly filing made by public companies to report their performance. Included in earnings reports are items such as net income, earnings per share, earnings from continuing operations and net sales. These reports follow the end of each quarter. Most companies file in January, April, July and October. Taobiz explains Quarterly Earnings Report An earnings report is a 'report card' of sorts for a public companies. It is through these reports that companies let shareholders know how well they have performed over the past time period. Most often the key metrics - net income and EPS - are weighed against the previous years' numbers. By analyzing this comparison, investors can begin to gauge the financial health of the company and whether or not it deserves their investment.
A loan given by a bank, mortgage company or other financial institution for the purchase of a primary or investment residence. In a home mortgage, the owner of the property (the borrower) transfers the title to the lender on the condition that the title will be transferred back to the owner once the payment has been made and other terms of the mortgage have been met. A home mortgage will have either a fixed or floating interest rate, which is paid monthly along with a contribution to the principal loan amount. As the homeowner pays down the principal over time, the interest is calculated on a smaller base so that future mortgage payments apply more towards principal reduction as opposed to just paying the interest charges. Watch: Mortgage Basics |||Home mortgages allow a much broader group of citizens the chance to own real estate, as the entire sum of the house doesn’t have to be provided up front. But because the lender actually holds the title for as long as the mortgage is in effect, they have the right to foreclose the home (sell it on the open market) if the borrower can’t make the payments. A home mortgage is one of the most common forms of debt, and it is also one of the most advised. Mortgage loans come with lower interest rates than almost any other kind of debt an individual consumer can find.