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Stocks Riskier than Bonds?
It is so common that stocks are riskier investments than bonds; nobody is even considering this question. Would I doubt it? Of course not, stocks are stocks and bonds are bonds. But I would like to look at it fro
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/stocks_riskier_than_bonds-p0-i15
Foundation of the Europes Financial Market
The key question in Europe now is how European Union will look after few years from now. This question is the most important at these days for all the Europe and may have affect to the entire world.
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/foundation_of_the_europes_financial_market-p0-i16
European Dividend Stocks
Before getting to the exact stocks, at first, please let me explain why I have chosen European dividend stocks as a topic. For the beginning, lets solve the question why dividend stocks. The true is that many inv
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/european_dividend_stocks-p0-i22
Is the Bubble of Commodities Going Down?
It can be said that commodity bubble already went down. The prices of the most commodities have slumped significantly during several last months. But was there really a bubble? Yes, the prices have
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/is_the_bubble_of_commodities_going_down-p0-i24
Investment psychology gains momentum in contemporary business world
Many individuals make rational investment decisions, but others are swayed by their emotions, serving as clear-cut illustration of just how the mindset and behavior can affect finances, and this is an important a
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/investment_psychology_gains_momentum_in_contemporary_business_world-p0-i27
Investments
(Are you looking for investment definition?) Investments are instruments that allow us to receive a higher amount of money than was spent. If someone spends 10 euros or dollars and he knows that he will receive
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/investments
Interest Coverage Ratio
Interest coverage ratio shows company’s ability to pay interests for its financial debts. Interest coverage ratio is a ratio between operating profit (EBIT to be more exact) and expenses for interests. The
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/interest_coverage_ratio
Investing for Beginner
Many people are prepared to invest, and understand that investing would help to achieve many important goals of life.However, most of those people do not even start to invest, because do not know exactly how to do that,
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/investing_for_beginner
Investment in Bonds
Debt (fixed income) securities Bonds are fixed income securities and the principle of them is simple - the issuer of the bonds attracts the money from the investors and commits to pay back for the investors until end of
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/investment_in_bonds
Investing for Beginners - Trading Account
a href="http://www.investingforbeginners.eu">Investing for beginners helps on many questions that every investor should solve in beginning of investment process or before it. One of such starting questions sho
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/investing_for_beginners_trading_account
Investment in Collectibles
Many kinds of collectibles may also be considered as investments, but their value and benefits are much more elusive, than more serious traditional investment instruments. Works of art, stamps, antiques, coins,
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/investment_in_collectibles
Investment in ETF Funds
ETF (Exchange-Traded Fund) Investment in ETFs has become increasingly popular pushing out traditional investment funds. Few main factors added to popularity of this investment: availability of ETF's and low taxes compar
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/investment_in_etf_funds
Investment Strategy in Growth Stocks
Investing in the rapidly growing companies has always attracted the attention of all worlds’ investors, in particular, at the market rise. The reason why investing in growth stocks - so popular is very simp
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Finance Management
Financial management, asset management, investment management, wealth management in fact are similar processes only called in different names. An investments definition may include both financial assets and real
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/finance_management
Derivative Market
A derivative market is a totality of derivatives (futures, forwards, options, swaps and other) that have been created over the world. Some of the derivatives are standardized and are traded on Exchanges whil
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/derivative_market
Stockholder Wealth Maximization
Stockholder wealth maximization is a main goal for firm’s managers in corporate finance. Stockholder wealth maximization is above the profit maximization because of long term orientation and better risk man
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/stockholder_wealth_maximization
Dividend Yield
A dividend yield is a ratio that shows how much investor gets dividends from the stock compared to its price. It is calculated dividing dividend per share by the share price. Dividend yield is impo
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/dividend_yield
Dividend Payout Ratio
Payout ratio is a percentage that shows a portion of company’s income distributed as dividends. Formula Dividend payout ratio = common shares dividends / net income *For the sam
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/dividend_payout_ratio
International Investment
International investment is investment that includes investments from different countries. If investor acquires investments in several countries, we could call him international investor. If investment portfolio
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/international_investment
Blue Chip Stocks
Blue chip stocks are stocks of the biggest large cap companies. Blue chip stocks usually are safer than average investment in stocks, have stable cash flow and pay stable dividends according dividend policy. Blue
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/blue_chip_stocks
Hedge (Hedging)
Hedge (hedging) is protection of investment portfolio against fluctuations using financial instruments. Hedge is very popular at investment theory, but not so popular at investment practice. In theory everything
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Business Organization Forms
Business organization forms may be different vary over countries depending on corporate law. The most popular classification, also applied in US classifies such forms: Sole proprietorship Partnership Limited
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/business_organization_forms
Life Insurance
A life insurance is a service provided by insurance companies trying to bring more financial stability in to the lives of people. Looking from investment point life insurance is two products c
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/life_insurance
Sole Proprietorship
A sole proprietorship is form of business that is owned by one individual. The main advantage of the sole proprietorship is the simplicity of starting business in this form. No weighty investments are needed. The
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/sole_proprietorship
Corporation
A corporation is a legal business form that is dominating over capital world. Most of the biggest businesses in the world are working under corporation form. Capital raising, transferring of shares, mergers &
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/corporation
Limited Liability Company
A limited liability company (LLC) is a business form that has the same advantage like corporations have: a limited liability. Owners of LLC risk only their capital that was invested in company. Limited liability
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/limited_liability_company
Value Stocks
Value stocks are opposite to growth stocks and attract investors not by growth perspectives but by stable cash and dividend flow. Market ratios (P/E, P/B and other) of value stocks are low and together with high
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/value_stocks
Value Penny Stocks
Value penny stocks are stocks that have characteristics of both: value stock and penny stock. Investment in value penny stocks isn’t very popular, because stock investors who seek for safety invest in norma
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/value_penny_stocks
Operating Leverage
An operating leverage is a company’s EBIT (earnings before taxes and financial operations) sensitivity to changes of sales. As the sensitivity is measured to operating income (close to EBIT), the
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/operating_leverage
Investment Risk Management
There are several main methods of investment risk management: Diversification. Diversification is the easiest and most of the times the cheapest way to reduce risk level of the investment portfol
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/investment_risk_management
Return on Investment
Return on investment (ROI) is a percentage that shows profitability of an investment or investment portfolio. Return on investment calculation: CALCULATION: Return on investment = net in
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/return_on_investment
EV/S Ratio
Enterprise Value to Sales Ratio EV/S ratio shows how expensive firm is compared to its sales. This multiple is important when company is unprofitable or profits margins are very low and turnaround is expected in
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/ev_s_ratio
Relative Valuation
Comparative analysis Relative valuation is stock valuation method that gained its popularity because of simplicity and practical importance. The key principle of relative valuation is about valuation multi
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/relative_valuation
DCF Valuation
Discounted Cash Flow Analysis DCF valuation might be applied to any asset that generates positive free cash flow or is expected to generate that cash flow in the future. DCF valuation might be directly applied t
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/dcf_valuation
OIBDA
OIBDA or also called operating income before depreciation and amortization is a financial measure used to represent specific type of an income. There are many types of income and each of those has some advantages
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/oibda
EBITDA Coverage Ratio
EBITDA coverage ratio (also called EBITDA to Interest Coverage Ratio) shows company’s capability to deal with its financial leverage. If this ratio is too low, that may show company is in trouble and may ha
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/ebitda_coverage_ratio
Profitability Margins
Profitability margins are ratios that show how profitable company’s activity is. There may be many kinds of profitability margins. Normally profitability means some kind of profit divided by revenue. But al
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/profitability_margins
EBITDA Margin
EBITDA margin is a profitability margin that shows how much of EBITDA earns company’s revenue relatively. The EBITDA margin is the best for profitability comparison of the companies if you want to measure e
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/ebitda_margin
Profit Margin
Profit margin normally refers to net profit margin, which is net profit divided by sales. But one should remember that profit might be of different kinds (net profit, pretax profit, EBIT, EBITDA and gross profit)
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/profit_margin
ROE
ROE (Return on Equity) shows profitability of company’s book value. Company’s book value (equity) is equal to company’s assets less liabilities, and ROE is usually higher if company ha
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/roe
ROA
ROA (Return on Assets) shows what profits are earned by company’s assets. Of course, assets alone usually do not earn the profit, because most of the times profit is the result of know-how and hard work of
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/roa
Risk Tolerance
Risk tolerance is a characteristic that describes the investor and his ability to withstand losses from investments. The higher risk tolerance of investor the more losses he/she may handle. Investm
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/risk_tolerance
Stock Trader
A stock trader is a speculator that is trying to make profits from quick changes in value of stocks or other securities that he trades. Stock trader have few differences from normal investor and the main differen
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/stock_trader
Stock Price
A stock price is the last price of a share (stock) that was traded in a stock exchange for a particular stock. If stock exchange is closed at the moment, then the last stock price will be closing price for that s
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/stock_price
Liquidity
(1) Market liquidity is a characteristic of a security or other traded investment that shows how easy it is convertible in to cash at a market value. Usually when investor decides to sell some investment and
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/liquidity
Brokerage Account
Brokerage account is an account provided to investor by a brokerage company or an investment bank. Brokerage account has changed during computerization and now almost all brokerage accounts have electronic interf
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/brokerage_account
Investment Management Business
Investment management business is a large part of a financial industry and is very important for investment banks and other investment companies because investment management business has quite good profitability
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/investment_management_business
Income
The term income may have several meanings. In corporate finance it basically means profit or earnings that are equal to revenue less expenses. But in some cases income may also indicate company’s revenue bu
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/income
Net Income
Net income (net profit) is a financial indicator of the company that shows the real profitability of the business in accordance to its capital structure. Net income is equal to all revenue and gains less all expe
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/net_income
Gross Margin
Gross margin is profitability percentage that shows the ratio between gross income and revenue. Gross margin is usually calculated when there is a need to compare company’s competiveness and effectiveness i
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/gross_margin
Operating Income
Operating income (operating profit) is the type of company’s profit that comes from operating activity. That means operating profit is lower than gross income by operating expenses but higher than pre-tax p
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/operating_income
Operating Margin
Operating margin is a profitability percentage that shows what company’s profit margin is before it pays interests and taxes. Operating margin simply ignores capital structure (because ignores financial act
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/operating_margin
EBIT
EBIT (also called Earnings Before Interest and Taxes) is a financial indicator of the company that provides information about company’s profitability while ignoring the impact of capital structure and corpo
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/ebit
Financial Analysis
Financial analysis is an important part of investing, especially if investor wants better results from his investments. Of course it is possible to ignore financial analysis and make investment decisions based on
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/financial_analysis
Profitability Analysis
The main purpose of profitability analysis is to determine the profit margin and compare it to the appropriate financial data. Profitability should not be confused with return because profitability is based on so
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/profitability_analysis
Return
Return analysis is different from profitability analysis because usually return is measured as a profitability of the assets, investments, capital or other similar asset group but not as a profitability of the re
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/return
Debt Coverage Ratio
Debt coverage ratio (debt service coverage ratio) is a ratio that measures solvency risk and mostly is applied for property projects. There are many debt coverage ratios that are used in financial practice on thi
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/debt_coverage_ratio
Times Interest Earned Ratio
‘Times interest earned ratio' compares ‘earnings before interest and taxes’ of the company to its interest expenses. Low ratio means that company may be in dangerous situation and its interest e
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/times_interest_earned_ratio
Solvency
Solvency analysis takes an important part in financial analysis and mostly is used by creditors. Creditors of the business (bondholders, banks that provide loans) don’t care much if company’s profit w
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/solvency
Financial Planning
Financial planning is a type of financial analysis of which goal is to predict financial situation of the object in the future. There are two main trends where financial planning can be applied: in corporate fina
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/financial_planning
Cash Debt Coverage Ratio
‘Cash debt coverage ratio’ (also known as ‘current cash debt coverage ratio’) measures company’s ability to repay its debts. Basically, it compares cash flow that is received from op
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/cash_debt_coverage_ratio
Cash Coverage Ratio
Cash coverage ratio measures company’s ability to repay its debts. It compares EBITDA (type of earnings) of the company and interest that is paid for company’s debts annually. EBITDA is not exactly eq
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/cash_coverage_ratio
Cash Flow Coverage Ratio
Cash flow coverage ratio measures company’s ability to repay its debt. This ratio compares operating cash flow of the company to its debts. If ratio is low (lower than 0.2), it may indicate potential
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/cash_flow_coverage_ratio
Strategic Financial Planning
Strategic financial planning is a bit different from standard financial planning because standard financial planning focuses on a budget which is detailed estimation of financial statements when strategic financi
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/strategic_financial_planning
Asset Turnover Ratio
Asset turnover ratio compares company’s sales and assets in order to identify the efficiency of assets used in the business. In simple words, it shows show much of sales are generated by company’s ass
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/asset_turnover_ratio
Investments in Small Cap Stocks
Investments in Small Cap Stocks Investments in small cap stocks could be compared to penny stock investments but the term ‘penny stocks’ is not specific enough. The thing is that the determination of
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/investments_in_small_cap_stocks
Stocks and Commodities
You may ask how stocks and commodities related are. And the answer is simple: everything is related and especially in financial markets. Normally, if some of the main asset class (as stocks) looses or gains
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/stocks_and_commodities
Free Cash Flow
Free cash flow of the company shows how much of cash business has earned in the reality over the period. There are many ways to determine the free cash flow of the company, and most often this indicator is provid
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/free_cash_flow
Cash Investments
Cash investments are the safest investments over short-term period. Such investments include saving accounts, certificates of deposit, money market instruments (treasury bills, money market funds). The main crite
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/cash_investments
Asset Performance
Asset performance is a return of an asset over some period. Usually performance is measured on annual basis. But basically performance of any asset depends on its riskiness and the period (most of the stocks and
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/asset_performance
NOPAT
NOPAT (‘net operating profit after tax’ or ‘after tax operating profit’) is equal to operating profit less taxes. It is adjusted by tax rate because the part cost of debt which is part of
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/nopat
Return on Invested Capital
Return on invested capital (ROIC) or also called return on capital is a financial ratio employed to measure nominal company’s return that is earned by capital invested in operating asset. Basically return o
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/return_on_invested_capital
CFROI
CFROI or cash flow return on investment is a rate of return that measures the performance of corporation based on its cash flow generation ability. CFROI is not very popular but is still used by some companies an
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/cfroi
Financial Ratios
Financial ratios are ratios that are used in financial analysis or in other words that are using financial data of a company. Such financial data usually is found in financial statements (income statement, balanc
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/financial_ratios
Fixed Asset Turnover
Fixed asset turnover ratio is a financial ratio that measures how much of sales are created by company’s property, plant and equipment. The ‘higher asset turnover’ is the better, because it mean
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/fixed_asset_turnover
Fundamental Analysis
Fundamental analysis is the type of financial analysis that relies on company’s fundamentals. Those fundamentals depend on the target of the analysis. For example, fundamental analysis of stock depends on i
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/fundamental_analysis
Technical Analysis of Stocks
Technical analysis of stocks is widely known type of stock analysis. Technical analysis is completely opposite to fundamental analysis. While fundamental analysis relies on company’s ability to generate cas
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/technical_analysis_of_stocks
Coverage Ratios
Coverage ratios are financial ratios that measure the ability of the company to repay its financial liabilities. Such ratios compare company’s operating income (or other type of income) or operating cash fl
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/coverage_ratios
Return on Capital Employed
Return on capital employed ratio (ROCE) measures company’s return compared to its employed capital. Return in this case is some kind of profit (mostly EBIT or NOPAT) and the capital employed means equity ca
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/return_on_capital_employed
Interest Rate Spread
‘Interest rate spread’ is a very important measure for banks and other financial institutions. As money lending is the core business for most of the banks, it is very important that this operational s
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/interest_rate_spread
Net Interest Margin
Net interest margin shows the profitability of the lending business for a bank or other financial institution. Lending business is the core business for most of the banks, and the profitability of this operational segmen
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/net_interest_margin
Cost/Income Ratio
Cost/income ratio is very popular financial ratio in bank analysis. This ratio measures the relation of bank’s operating costs to operating income. Basically, lower ratio is better because means higher prof
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/cost_income_ratio
Non-Performing Loan Ratio
Non-performing loan ratio measures the quality of the loan portfolio of the financial institution. This financial ratio compares non-performing loans to the total loan portfolio (loans are assets for the bank), a
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/nonperforming_loan_ratio
Loan to Deposit Ratio
Loan to deposit ratio is financial ratio used for banks or other financial institutions. This ratio compares bank’s loan portfolio to deposit portfolio and measures financial liquidity of the institution. &n
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/loan_to_deposit_ratio
Reserve Ratio
Reserve ratio (reserve requirement or cash reserve ratio) is a ratio that is used by central bank of an area to regulate the financial market. This financial ratio compares the cash of the bank to the deposits th
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/reserve_ratio
Liquidity Ratio
Liquidity ratio is a ratio that measures company’s liquidity. At first, it is needed to mention that liquidity may have two meanings: financial liquidity of a company or market liquidity of some asset. Liqu
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/liquidity_ratio
Equity to Asset Ratio
Equity to asset ratio measures company’s riskiness by comparing its equity to its assets. If this ratio is very low (lower than 0.3), it might mean that company may be at risk if conditions of the market wo
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/equity_to_asset_ratio
Internal Rate of Return
An internal rate of return (IRR) is a ratio used very often to measure a profitability of some investment project. IRR is determined as a discount rate when NPV of the project is equal to zero. If IRR is higher t
http://www.investingforbeginners.eu/internal_rate_of_return
