Glossary
The market terms behind the headlines, explained in plain language. No jargon, no assumptions.
Bear market
A sustained period of falling prices.
Bitcoin
The first and largest cryptocurrency.
Bond and yield
A loan to a government or company that pays interest.
Bull market
A sustained period of rising prices.
Central bank
A national institution that manages a currency and interest rates.
Commodity
A raw material that is traded, like oil, gold, or wheat.
Cryptocurrency
A digital asset secured by cryptography, not issued by a central bank.
Dividend
A share of profit paid out to shareholders.
Earnings
The profit a company reports, usually each quarter.
ETF (Exchange-Traded Fund)
A fund holding many assets that trades like a single stock.
Federal Reserve (Fed)
The central bank of the United States.
Forex (FX)
The market for trading one currency against another.
GDP (Gross Domestic Product)
The total value of everything a country produces.
Inflation
The rate at which prices for goods and services rise over time.
Interest rate
The cost of borrowing money, set as a percentage.
IPO (Initial Public Offering)
When a private company first sells shares to the public.
Market capitalization
The total value of a company on the stock market.
Pip
The smallest standard price move in a forex pair.
Quantitative easing (QE)
When a central bank creates money to buy assets and boost the economy.
Rate hike and rate cut
When a central bank raises or lowers its benchmark interest rate.
Recession
A significant, broad decline in economic activity.
Stablecoin
A cryptocurrency designed to hold a steady value.
Stock (equity)
A share of ownership in a company.
Stock index
A basket of stocks used to track a market.
Volatility
How sharply and quickly prices move.