Day Order

An order that is valid only for the day it is entered. If the order is still outstanding when the market closes, it will be purged overnight.

Days Sales Outstanding

A measure of accounts receivables compared to sales. Higher DSOs means a company’s receivables as a percentage of sales have increased, not a good sign.

Debenture

A long-term debt instrument issued by corporations or governments that is backed only by the integrity of the borrower, not by collateral. A debenture is unsecured and subordinate to secured debt. A debenture is unsecured in that there are no liens or pledges on specific assets.

Debt Price

The price paid per $100 of a debt instrument’s face value traded. A debt instrument trading at par would have a price of $100. A price below face value (for example, $99.1) indicates that the debt instrument has traded at a discount. A price above face value (for example, $101.1) indicates that the debt instrument has traded at a premium.

Convertible Security

A security of an issuer (for example – bonds, debentures, or preferred shares) that may be converted into other securities of that issuer, in accordance with the terms of the conversion feature. The conversion usually occurs at the option of the holder of the securities, but it may occur at the option of the issuer.

Corporation or Company

A form of business organization created under provincial or federal laws that has a legal identity separate from its owners. The shareholders are the corporation’s owners and are liable for the debts of the corporation only up to the amount of their investment. This is known as limited liability.

Cost of Sales

Cost of materials and labor required to produce products or services. Gross profit is sales minus cost of sales.