Learning the stock market can feel like learning a whole new language. We've simplified the essentials to help you build confidence and make smarter investing decisions.
A market downturn marked by a 20%+ drop in prices and pessimistic sentiment. Typically tied to economic slowdowns or uncertainty.
Shares in large, stable, well-established companies with a track record of strong performance.
A person or platform that facilitates stock trading. Examples include Robinhood, Fidelity, or traditional advisors.
A market phase when prices are rising and investor optimism is high — often fueled by strong economic indicators.
A minority investment made directly alongside a private equity fund into a portfolio company, offering lower fees and greater transparency.
Elements essential for defense, clean energy, and advanced technology — including rare earths, lithium, tungsten, and uranium — where supply chain security is a national priority.
Spreading investments across different assets to reduce risk. A diversified portfolio is more resilient to market swings.
A portion of a company's profits paid to shareholders, typically quarterly. Not all companies pay dividends, but those that do offer a steady income stream.
A company's net profit divided by its outstanding shares. It's a snapshot of profitability and financial health.
A fund holding a basket of assets that trades like a single stock — offering easy diversification at lower cost.
A private wealth management advisory firm that serves ultra-high-net-worth families, providing holistic financial services and investment management.
High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium — nuclear fuel enriched between 5–20%, critical for next-generation advanced reactors and small modular reactors.
A benchmark tracking a group of stocks, like the S&P 500 or Dow Jones. It helps gauge overall market performance.
The first time a private company sells shares to the public, becoming publicly traded and raising capital for growth.
The process of increasing the concentration of a specific isotope, enabling applications in nuclear medicine, quantum computing, and energy production.
An instruction to buy or sell a stock at a specific price or better. Great for price control, but not always guaranteed to execute.
How easily a stock can be bought or sold without affecting its price. High liquidity means smoother trades.
Borrowing money from a broker to invest. Amplifies gains and losses, so use with caution.
The total value of a company's outstanding shares: Market Cap = Share Price × Number of Shares Outstanding.
A request to buy or sell a stock immediately at the current market price. Fast, but less precise.
A stock's price relative to its earnings per share. A higher ratio may indicate investor confidence; a lower ratio could signal undervaluation.
Technologies designed to remove 'forever chemicals' from water and soil, addressing one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.
A collection of investments — stocks, bonds, ETFs, etc. — owned by an individual or entity.
A strategy where you sell a stock you don't own, betting its price will fall. High risk, high reward — if timed right.
A share of ownership in a company. When you buy a stock, you own a small piece of that company and may benefit from its profits or growth.
How much a stock's price swings. High volatility means bigger risk, but also bigger potential reward.
Final Note: This glossary covers the basics — but investing is an ongoing learning process. Stay curious, stay informed, and always do your research. When in doubt, consult with a licensed advisor.