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A common stock’s last closing market price per share divided by the latest reported 12-month earnings per share. This ratio shows you how many times the actual or anticipated annual earnings a stock is trading at.

These are reversal patterns. It is a decline or advance twice to the same level (plus or minus 3%). It indicates support or resistance at that level. These are signature patterns that are playable with little or no confirmation.

A trade when a Participating Organization is either buying from, or selling to its client.

A trade is on a downtick when the last trade occurred at a price lower than the previous one.

The portion of the issuer’s equity paid directly to shareholders. It is generally paid on common or preferred shares. The issuer or its representative provides the amount, frequency (monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually), payable date, and record date. The exchange that the issue is listed on sets the ex-dividend/distribution (ex-d) date for entitlement. An issuer is under no legal obligation to pay either preferred or common dividends.

These are a type of stock issued by a company. Preferred shares give such shareholders a fixed dividend from the company’s earnings. Preferred shareholders also get paid before common shareholders.

Total of 12-month’s dividends paid (historical or forecast) divided by the latest share price. 

Debt instruments. Preferred shareholders are paid ahead of common stock holders in the event the corporation is liquidated. Convertible preferred shares can be converted into common stock according to predetermined conditions.

The date set by the issuer on which the dividend/distribution will be paid.

A price gap describes the situation where a stock opens at a price either higher or lower than the closing price the day before. This usually happens when some news affecting the value of the stock is announced after the market closes, e.g., positive or negative earnings, a buy-out, etc. Stocks that gap at the open often move back toward the previous close before moving again, but not always. Strong news such as projected higher earnings from the company tend to drive the stock without the pull back.