|
|
|
Glossary of Terms
As the commerce and industry have evolved, each sector has developed a vocabulary that uniquely describes its products,
technology, and business practices, known as a jargon of respective domain. Often, these words seem incomprehensible to
the layman. This short lexicon is not meant to be a comprehensive dictionary of markets; nevertheless it would be a useful
guide for the beginners who are keen to no more about financial markets and futures industry.
A
-
Account Executive :-
The agent of a broking firm or commission house who serves customers by entering their commodity futures and options orders, reporting trade executions, advising on trading strategies, general market information etc.
-
Ask :-
A motion to sell. The same as offer.
-
Active Month :-
In the metals markets, the nearest base
contract month that is not the current delivery month. The base months
for each metals future are defined by each individual contract.
-
Actual :-
Physical cash commodities as opposed to
futures contracts.
-
ADP :-
Alternative Delivery Procedure. A provision
of a futures contract that allows buyers and sellers to make and take
delivery under terms or conditions that differ from those prescribed in
the contract. An ADP may occur at any time during the delivery period,
once long and short futures positions have been matched for the purpose
of delivery.
-
AGA :-
American Gas Association. Major natural
gas industry trade association, based in Alexandria, Virginia. AGA conducts
technical research and helps create standards for equipment and products
involved in every facet of the natural gas industry. It also compiles
statistics, which are considered industry standards.
-
All or None :-
An order, which must be filled in its entirety
or not at all.
-
American Option :-
An option contract that may be exercised
at any time prior to expiration. This differs from a "European option,"
which may only be exercised on the expiration date. The Exchange options
contracts are "American."
-
API :-
American Petroleum Institute. The primary
U.S. oil industry trade association, based in Washington, D.C. API conducts
research and sets technical standards for industry equipment and products
from wellhead to retail outlet. It also compiles statistics, which are
regarded as industry benchmarks.
-
Approved Carriers :-
Armored carriers approved by the Exchange
for the transportation of gold, platinum, and palladium.
-
Arbitrage :-
The simultaneous purchase of one commodity
against the sale of another in order to profit from fluctuations in the
usual price relationships. Variations include the simultaneous purchase
and sale of different delivery months of the same commodity; of the same
delivery month, but different grades of the same commodity; and of different
commodities.
-
Assay :-
To test a metal or an oil for purity or quality.
-
Assignment :-
The process by which the seller of an option
is notified of a buyer's intention to exercise the rights associated with
the option.
-
At-the-Market :-
An order to buy or sell a futures contract
at whatever price is obtainable when the order reaches the trading floor.
Also called a market order.
-
At-the-Money :-
An option whose exercise, or strike, price
is closest to the futures price.
-
Automatic Exercise :-
The clearinghouse exercises following options
expiration, an option, which is in the money by $100 or more, automatically,
unless the holder of the option submits specific instructions to the contrary.
|