Dividends are payments made by a company to its shareholders.
When a company earns a profit, some of it is reinvested in the business and called retained earnings, and some of it can be paid to its shareholders as a dividend. The frequency of these varies by country. In the United States dividends are usually declared quarterly by the board of directors. In some other countries dividends are paid biannually, as an interim dividend shortly after the company announces its interim results and a final dividend typically following its annual general meeting. In other countries, the board of directors will propose the payment of a dividend to shareholders at the annual meeting who will then vote on the proposal.
In the United States, decisions regarding the amount and frequency of dividends is solely at the discretion of the board of directors. Shareholders are explicitly forbidden from introducing shareholder resolutions involving specific amounts of dividends.
Where a company makes a loss during a year, it may opt to continue paying dividends from the retained earnings from previous years or to suspend the dividend. Where a company receives a one-off gain, e.g. from the sale of some assets, and has no plans to reinvest the proceeds, the money is often returned to shareholders in the form of a special dividend.
Friday, January 5, 2007
Mutual Fund
A mutual fund is a form of collective investment that pools money from many investors and invests the money in stocks, bonds, short-term money market instruments, and/or other securities. In a mutual fund, the fund manager trades the fund's underlying securities, realizing capital gains or loss, and collects the dividend or interest income. The investment proceeds are then passed along to the individual investors. The value of a share of the mutual fund, known as the net asset value (NAV), is calculated daily based on the total value of the fund divided by the number of shares purchased by investors.
Legally known as an "open-end company", a mutual fund is one of three basic types of investment companies available in the United States. Outside of the U.S. (with the exception of Canada which follows the US model), mutual fund is a generic term for various types of collective investment. In the UK and western Europe (including offshore jurisdictions), other forms of collective investment are prevalent including unit trusts, Open-Ended Investment Companies (OEICs), SICAVs and unitized insurance funds.
In Australia the term "mutual fund" is not used, the name "managed fund" is used instead.
However this term is somewhat generic as the definition of a managed fund in Australia is any vehicle where investors' money is managed by a third party (NB: usually an investment professional or organisation). Most managed funds are open-ended, however this need not be the case. Additionally the Australian government introduced a compulsory superannuation/pension scheme which although strictly speaking is a managed fund, is rarely identified by this term and called a "superannuation fund" instead due to its special tax concessions and restrictions on when the money can be accessed.
Legally known as an "open-end company", a mutual fund is one of three basic types of investment companies available in the United States. Outside of the U.S. (with the exception of Canada which follows the US model), mutual fund is a generic term for various types of collective investment. In the UK and western Europe (including offshore jurisdictions), other forms of collective investment are prevalent including unit trusts, Open-Ended Investment Companies (OEICs), SICAVs and unitized insurance funds.
In Australia the term "mutual fund" is not used, the name "managed fund" is used instead.
However this term is somewhat generic as the definition of a managed fund in Australia is any vehicle where investors' money is managed by a third party (NB: usually an investment professional or organisation). Most managed funds are open-ended, however this need not be the case. Additionally the Australian government introduced a compulsory superannuation/pension scheme which although strictly speaking is a managed fund, is rarely identified by this term and called a "superannuation fund" instead due to its special tax concessions and restrictions on when the money can be accessed.
Investment Advisor
An investment advisor (or investment adviser) is an individual or firm that advises clients on investment matters on a professional basis.
They tend to fall into two distinct categories:
investment advisors offering direct financial advice to individuals or businesses, or investment advisors offering asset management for (typically) corporate clients, hedge funds and/or mutual funds. Depending on the nature of the relationship, investment advisors charge fees calculated as a percentage (e.g., 1%) of assets under management, on an annual basis, an hourly or on a "flat fee" basis.
They tend to fall into two distinct categories:
investment advisors offering direct financial advice to individuals or businesses, or investment advisors offering asset management for (typically) corporate clients, hedge funds and/or mutual funds. Depending on the nature of the relationship, investment advisors charge fees calculated as a percentage (e.g., 1%) of assets under management, on an annual basis, an hourly or on a "flat fee" basis.
Stockbrokers
Stockbrokers are people who deal with stock & bonds.
A stock broker sells or buys stock on behalf of a customer. The stock broker works as an agent matching up stock buyers and sellers. A transaction on a stock exchange must be made between two members of the exchange - a typical person may not walk into the New York Stock Exchange (for example), and ask to trade stock. Such an exchange must be done through a broker.
In addition to actually trading stocks for their clients, stock brokers may also offer advice to their clients on which stocks, mutual funds, etc. to buy.
A stock broker sells or buys stock on behalf of a customer. The stock broker works as an agent matching up stock buyers and sellers. A transaction on a stock exchange must be made between two members of the exchange - a typical person may not walk into the New York Stock Exchange (for example), and ask to trade stock. Such an exchange must be done through a broker.
In addition to actually trading stocks for their clients, stock brokers may also offer advice to their clients on which stocks, mutual funds, etc. to buy.
Stock Picking
Although many companies offer courses in stock picking, and numerous experts report success through Technical Analysis and Fundamental Analysis, many economists and academics state that because of Efficient market theory it is unlikely that any amount of analysis can help an investor make any gains above the stock market itself. In a normal distribution of investors, many academics believe that the richest are simply outliers in such a distribution (e.g. in a game of chance, they have flipped heads twenty years in a row).
For this reason most academics and economists recommend that investors invest in funds that follow an index in the market, i.e. long-term and well-diversified investments.
For this reason most academics and economists recommend that investors invest in funds that follow an index in the market, i.e. long-term and well-diversified investments.
Stock Trader
Stock Trader or a stock investor is an individual or firm who buys and sells financial instruments (such as stocks or bonds) in the financial markets.
The difference between stock traders and stock investors is that stock investors tend generally to buy great companies (blue chips). They tend to invest for the long-term and count upon compounded business growth to provide their returns. Stock traders, on the other hand, usually try to profit from short-term price volatility. Sometimes they try to rely upon the psychology of other investors.
Individuals or firms trading as their principal capacity are called stock traders or simply traders. The stock trader is usually a professional. Many people across the world can call themselves stock traders/investors or part-time stock traders/investors, despite having another profession in parallel with their regular trading activities in the financial markets. When a stock trader/investor has clients, and acts as a money manager or adviser with the intention of adding value to his clients finances, he is also called a financial adviser or manager. In this case, the financial manager could be an independent professional or a large bank corporation employee. This may include managers dealing with investment funds, hedge funds, mutual funds, and pension funds, or other professionals in equity investment and fund management. A very active stock trader who holds positions for a very short time and makes several trades each day is a day trader. Other broad or specific designations for different kinds of stock traders include the terms: speculator, hedger, arbitrageur and market maker.
The difference between stock traders and stock investors is that stock investors tend generally to buy great companies (blue chips). They tend to invest for the long-term and count upon compounded business growth to provide their returns. Stock traders, on the other hand, usually try to profit from short-term price volatility. Sometimes they try to rely upon the psychology of other investors.
Individuals or firms trading as their principal capacity are called stock traders or simply traders. The stock trader is usually a professional. Many people across the world can call themselves stock traders/investors or part-time stock traders/investors, despite having another profession in parallel with their regular trading activities in the financial markets. When a stock trader/investor has clients, and acts as a money manager or adviser with the intention of adding value to his clients finances, he is also called a financial adviser or manager. In this case, the financial manager could be an independent professional or a large bank corporation employee. This may include managers dealing with investment funds, hedge funds, mutual funds, and pension funds, or other professionals in equity investment and fund management. A very active stock trader who holds positions for a very short time and makes several trades each day is a day trader. Other broad or specific designations for different kinds of stock traders include the terms: speculator, hedger, arbitrageur and market maker.
Stock Price Fluctuation
The price of a stock fluctuates fundamentally due to the theory of supply and demand. Like all commodities in the market, the price of a stock is directly proportional to the demand. However, there are many factors on basis of which the demand for a particular stock may increase or decrease. These factors are studied using methods of fundamental analysis and technical analysis to predict the changes in the stock price.
Selling Stocks
Selling stock is procedurally similar to buying stock. Generally, the investor wants to buy low and sell high, if not in that order (short selling); although a number of reasons may induce an investor to sell at a loss, e.g., to avoid further loss.
As with buying a stock, there is a transaction fee for the broker's efforts in arranging the transfer of stock from a seller to a buyer. This fee can be high or low depending on which type of brokerage, discount or full service, handles the transaction.
After the transaction has been made, the seller is then entitled to all of the money. An important part of selling is keeping track of the earnings. Importantly, on selling the stock, in jurisdictions that have them, capital gains taxes will have to be paid on the additional proceeds, if any, that are in excess of the cost basis.
As with buying a stock, there is a transaction fee for the broker's efforts in arranging the transfer of stock from a seller to a buyer. This fee can be high or low depending on which type of brokerage, discount or full service, handles the transaction.
After the transaction has been made, the seller is then entitled to all of the money. An important part of selling is keeping track of the earnings. Importantly, on selling the stock, in jurisdictions that have them, capital gains taxes will have to be paid on the additional proceeds, if any, that are in excess of the cost basis.
Buying Stocks
There are various methods of buying and financing stocks. The most common means is through a stock broker. Whether they are a full service or discount broker, they arrange the transfer of stock from a seller to a buyer. Most trades are actually done through brokers listed with a stock exchange, such as the New York Stock Exchange.
There are many different stock brokers from which to choose, such as full service brokers or discount brokers. The full service brokers usually charge more per trade, but give investment advice or more personal service; the discount brokers offer little or no investment advice but charge less for trades. Another type of broker would be a bank or credit union that may have a deal set up with either a full service or discount broker.
There are other ways of buying stock besides through a broker. One way is directly from the company itself. If at least one share is owned, most companies will allow the purchase of shares directly from the company through their investor relations departments. However, the initial share of stock in the company will have to be obtained through a regular stock broker. Another way to buy stock in companies is through Direct Public Offerings which are usually sold by the company itself. A direct public offering is an initial public offering in which the stock is purchased directly from the company, usually without the aid of brokers.
When it comes to financing a purchase of stocks there are two ways: purchasing stock with money that is currently in the buyers ownership, or by buying stock on margin. Buying stock on margin means buying stock with money borrowed against the stocks in the same account. These stocks, or collateral, guarantee that the buyer can repay the loan; otherwise, the stockbroker has the right to sell the stock (collateral) to repay the borrowed money. He can sell if the share price drops below the margin requirement, at least 50% of the value of the stocks in the account. Buying on margin works the same way as borrowing money to buy a car or a house, using the car or house as collateral. Moreover, borrowing is not free; the broker usually charges 8-10% interest.
There are many different stock brokers from which to choose, such as full service brokers or discount brokers. The full service brokers usually charge more per trade, but give investment advice or more personal service; the discount brokers offer little or no investment advice but charge less for trades. Another type of broker would be a bank or credit union that may have a deal set up with either a full service or discount broker.
There are other ways of buying stock besides through a broker. One way is directly from the company itself. If at least one share is owned, most companies will allow the purchase of shares directly from the company through their investor relations departments. However, the initial share of stock in the company will have to be obtained through a regular stock broker. Another way to buy stock in companies is through Direct Public Offerings which are usually sold by the company itself. A direct public offering is an initial public offering in which the stock is purchased directly from the company, usually without the aid of brokers.
When it comes to financing a purchase of stocks there are two ways: purchasing stock with money that is currently in the buyers ownership, or by buying stock on margin. Buying stock on margin means buying stock with money borrowed against the stocks in the same account. These stocks, or collateral, guarantee that the buyer can repay the loan; otherwise, the stockbroker has the right to sell the stock (collateral) to repay the borrowed money. He can sell if the share price drops below the margin requirement, at least 50% of the value of the stocks in the account. Buying on margin works the same way as borrowing money to buy a car or a house, using the car or house as collateral. Moreover, borrowing is not free; the broker usually charges 8-10% interest.
Trading
A stock exchange is an organization that provides a marketplace (either physical or virtual) for trading shares, where investors (represented by stock brokers) may buy and sell shares in a wide range of companies. A given company will usually list its shares by meeting and maintaining the listing requirements of a particular stock exchange. In the United States, through the inter-market quotation system, stocks listed on one exchange can also be bought or sold on several other exchanges, including relatively new internet-only exchanges. Stocks are broadly grouped into NYSE-listed and NASDAQ-listed stocks. Exchanges where NYSE-listed stocks may be bought are generally not the same group as the exchanges where NASDAQ-listed stocks may be bought. Many large foreign companies choose to list on a U.S. exchange as well as an exchange in their home country in order to broaden their investor base. These shares are called American Depository Receipts (ADRs) -- or, in the case of companies such as UBS and Daimler Chrysler -- "foreign ordinary shares."
Large U.S. companies also list in foreign exchanges for the same reason. Although it makes sense for some companies to raise capital by offering stock on more than one exchange, in today's era of electronic trading, there is limited opportunity for private investors to make profit on pricing discrepancies between one stock exchange and another. As such, arbitrage opportunities disappear quickly due to the efficient nature of the market.
Large U.S. companies also list in foreign exchanges for the same reason. Although it makes sense for some companies to raise capital by offering stock on more than one exchange, in today's era of electronic trading, there is limited opportunity for private investors to make profit on pricing discrepancies between one stock exchange and another. As such, arbitrage opportunities disappear quickly due to the efficient nature of the market.
Shareholder
A shareholder (or stockholder) is an individual or company (including a corporation) that legally owns one or more shares of stock in a joint stock company. Companies listed at the stock market strive to enhance shareholder value.
Shareholders are granted special privileges depending on the class of stock, including the right to vote (usually one vote per share owned) on matters such as elections to the board of directors, the right to share in distributions of the company's income, the right to purchase new shares issued by the company, and the right to a company's assets during a liquidation of the company. However, shareholder's rights to a company's assets are subordinate to the rights of the company's creditors. This means that shareholders typically receive nothing if a company is liquidated after bankruptcy (if the company had had enough to pay its creditors, it would not have entered bankruptcy), although a stock may have value after a bankruptcy if there is the possibility that the debts of the company will be restructured.
Shareholders are considered by some to be a partial subset of stakeholders, which may include anyone who has a direct or indirect equity interest in the business entity or someone with even a non-pecuniary interest in a non-profit organization. Thus it might be common to call volunteer contributors to an association stakeholders, even though they are not shareholders.
Although directors and officers of a company are bound by fiduciary duties to act in the best interest of the shareholders, the shareholders themselves normally do not have such duties towards each other.
However, in a few unusual cases, some courts have been willing to imply such a duty between shareholders. For example, in California, majority shareholders of closely held corporations have a duty to not destroy the value of the shares held by minority shareholders. See Jones v. H. F. Ahmanson & Co., 1 Cal. 3d 93 (1969).
The largest shareholders (in terms of percentages of companies owned) are often mutual funds, and especially passively managed exchange-traded funds.
Shareholders are granted special privileges depending on the class of stock, including the right to vote (usually one vote per share owned) on matters such as elections to the board of directors, the right to share in distributions of the company's income, the right to purchase new shares issued by the company, and the right to a company's assets during a liquidation of the company. However, shareholder's rights to a company's assets are subordinate to the rights of the company's creditors. This means that shareholders typically receive nothing if a company is liquidated after bankruptcy (if the company had had enough to pay its creditors, it would not have entered bankruptcy), although a stock may have value after a bankruptcy if there is the possibility that the debts of the company will be restructured.
Shareholders are considered by some to be a partial subset of stakeholders, which may include anyone who has a direct or indirect equity interest in the business entity or someone with even a non-pecuniary interest in a non-profit organization. Thus it might be common to call volunteer contributors to an association stakeholders, even though they are not shareholders.
Although directors and officers of a company are bound by fiduciary duties to act in the best interest of the shareholders, the shareholders themselves normally do not have such duties towards each other.
However, in a few unusual cases, some courts have been willing to imply such a duty between shareholders. For example, in California, majority shareholders of closely held corporations have a duty to not destroy the value of the shares held by minority shareholders. See Jones v. H. F. Ahmanson & Co., 1 Cal. 3d 93 (1969).
The largest shareholders (in terms of percentages of companies owned) are often mutual funds, and especially passively managed exchange-traded funds.
Types of Stocks
Common stock:
Common stock, also referred to as common shares or ordinary shares, are, as the name implies, the most usual and commonly held form of stock in a corporation. Shareholders of common stock have voting rights in corporate decision matters. It is the residual corporate interest that bears the ultimate risks of loss and receives the benefits of success.
Preferred stock:
Preferred stock, sometimes called preference shares, have priority over common stock in the distribution of dividends and assets.
Most preferred shares provide no voting rights in corporate decision matters. However, some preferred shares have special voting rights to approve certain extraordinary events (such as the issuance of new shares, or the approval of the acquisition of the company), or to elect directors.
Dual class stock:
Dual class stock is shares issued for a single company with varying classes indicating different rights on voting and dividend payments. Each kind of shares has its own class of shareholders entitling different rights.
Treasury stock:
Treasury stock is shares that have been bought back from the public. Treasury Stock is considered issued, but not outstanding.
Common stock, also referred to as common shares or ordinary shares, are, as the name implies, the most usual and commonly held form of stock in a corporation. Shareholders of common stock have voting rights in corporate decision matters. It is the residual corporate interest that bears the ultimate risks of loss and receives the benefits of success.
Preferred stock:
Preferred stock, sometimes called preference shares, have priority over common stock in the distribution of dividends and assets.
Most preferred shares provide no voting rights in corporate decision matters. However, some preferred shares have special voting rights to approve certain extraordinary events (such as the issuance of new shares, or the approval of the acquisition of the company), or to elect directors.
Dual class stock:
Dual class stock is shares issued for a single company with varying classes indicating different rights on voting and dividend payments. Each kind of shares has its own class of shareholders entitling different rights.
Treasury stock:
Treasury stock is shares that have been bought back from the public. Treasury Stock is considered issued, but not outstanding.
Stock
In financial markets, stock is the capital raised by a corporation through the issuance and distribution of shares.
A person or organisation which holds at least a partial share of stocks is called a shareholder. The aggregate value of a corporation's issued shares is its market capitalization.
In the United Kingdom and Australia, the term share is used the same way, but stocks there refer to either a completely different financial instrument, the bond, or more widely to all kinds of marketable securities.
A person or organisation which holds at least a partial share of stocks is called a shareholder. The aggregate value of a corporation's issued shares is its market capitalization.
In the United Kingdom and Australia, the term share is used the same way, but stocks there refer to either a completely different financial instrument, the bond, or more widely to all kinds of marketable securities.
Thursday, January 4, 2007
Stock Exchange
A stock exchange, share market or bourse is a corporation or mutual organization which provides facilities for stock brokers and traders, to trade company stocks and other securities. Stock exchanges also provide facilities for the issue and redemption of securities, as well as, other financial instruments and capital events including the payment of income and dividends. The securities traded on a stock exchange include: shares issued by companies, unit trusts and other pooled investment products and bonds. To be able to trade a security on a certain stock exchange, it has to be listed there. Usually there is a local & central location at least for recordkeeping, but trade is less and less linked to such a physical place, as modern markets are electronic networks, which gives them advantages of speed and cost of transactions. Trade on an exchange is by members only & stock & share holders. The initial offering of stocks and bonds to investors is by definition done in the primary market and subsequent trading is done in the secondary market. A stock exchange is often the most important component of a stock market. Supply and demand in stock markets is driven by various factors which, as in all free markets, affect the price of stocks.
There is usually no compulsion to issue stock via the stock exchange itself, nor must stock be subsequently traded on the exchange. Such trading is said to be off exchange or over-the-counter. This is the usual way that bonds are traded. Increasingly more and more stock exchanges are part of a global market for securities.
There is usually no compulsion to issue stock via the stock exchange itself, nor must stock be subsequently traded on the exchange. Such trading is said to be off exchange or over-the-counter. This is the usual way that bonds are traded. Increasingly more and more stock exchanges are part of a global market for securities.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)