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With respect to stocks split or dividends, a pay date is the date that a company pays a dividend or stock split out, which is usually the day before the ex-dividend date.

A payment made by a market maker to a broker as a thank you for directing your stock trade to that market maker.

Percentage of earnings paid out in dividends.

Price to earnings ratio divided by the forecast annual earnings growth rate. Traditionally, stocks were said to be fairly valued when the p/e and the forecast growth rate were equal.

We use this with respect to options trades in determining if we like an option enough to buy it or if we are in an option, if we want to stay in it. This calculation tells you how far the underlying stock must move before the option will double in value. We prefer a 7%-10% value, less if we can get it. This does not mean we will not buy an option, but it does give us insight as to how long we will hold it. Percent to double is a Smith Barney proprietary calculation.

An investment fund that continuously offers its securities to investors and stands ready to redeem its securities at all times. Transactions in shares/units of mutual funds are based on their net asset value (NAV), determined at the close of each business day. Examples of an open-end fund are traditional mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

The market opens at 9:30 a.m. ET each business day.

Surplus cash generated from company’s basic operations without regard to income tax entries such as depreciation and amortization. Changes in levels of inventories, accounts receivable and accounts payable also affect cash flow. Also see Free Cash Flow. 

Not the same as operating income. See pro forma earnings. 

Sales minus all expenses except income taxes and other items not related to basic business.