These are the owners of a company sharing in its risks, profits and loss. They are paid a share of the company’s profits in proportion to their shareholding after all other claims have been met. In the event of the liquidation of a company they share whatever is left of the company after all its creditors have been paid. Only equity shareholders are allowed to vote in the company’s meetings.

This is an order to buy or sell a stock immediately at the best possible price. It is sometimes referred to as an unrestricted order.

This is a legal arrangement where an individual (the trustor) gives fiduciary control of property to a person or institution (the trustee) for the benefit of beneficiaries. A living trust is one that is in effect during the trustor’s lifetime whereas a testamentary trust is created through the will of a deceased person.

This means without dividend. The holder of shares purchased ex dividend is not entitled to an upcoming already declared dividend, but is entitled to future dividends.

One hundredth of a percentage point. Example; the difference between 4.50% and 4.75% is 25 basis points.