Finance Glossary of terms
A finance glossary is a comprehensive list of terms and definitions related to finance and investing. It includes common financial terms, such as assets, liabilities, equity, and interest, as well as more specialized terms, such as hedge funds, options, and derivatives. A finance glossary is useful for anyone who is interested in finance, whether they are a beginner or an expert. It provides a common language for discussing financial matters, and it can help people understand complex financial concepts and ideas. A finance glossary may be found in books, online resources, and financial software programs.
Credit score – A number that represents your creditworthiness, based on your credit history and other financial behavior.
Compound interest – Interest that is calculated on both the principal amount and any interest earned on that amount, resulting in exponential growth over time.
Emergency fund – Money set aside for unexpected expenses or emergencies, such as medical bills, car repairs, or job loss.
Asset – Something of value that is owned, such as a house, car, or investment.
Liability – A debt or obligation that is owed to another party, such as a loan or credit card balance.
Net worth – The difference between a person’s assets and liabilities, representing their overall financial worth.
Budget – A plan for how to allocate income and expenses over a set period of time, usually a month or year.
APR – Annual Percentage Rate, which represents the interest rate on a loan or credit card, including any fees or charges.
Stock – A type of investment that represents ownership in a company.
Bond – A type of investment where an investor loans money to an entity, such as a government or corporation, in exchange for interest payments and eventual repayment of the principal amount.
Mutual fund – A type of investment that pools money from multiple investors to buy a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, or other securities.
Index fund – A type of mutual fund that tracks a specific stock or bond market index, providing a low-cost, passive investment option.
Roth IRA – An individual retirement account that allows for tax-free growth and withdrawals, as long as certain conditions are met.
401(k) – A retirement savings plan offered by employers, where employees can contribute a portion of their pre-tax income and potentially receive matching contributions from the employer.
FICO score – A credit score calculated using the proprietary formula developed by the Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO), which is widely used by lenders and credit card issuers.
