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The tender and receipt of the underlying commodity or the payment or receipt of cash in the settlement of an open futures contract.

The combined desire, ability and willingness on the part of consumers to buy goods or services. Demand is determined by income and by price, which are, in part, determined by supply.

Options and other instrument whose value depends on an underlying security. For instance, the value of a call option on Cisco Systems (derivative) fluctuates with the price of Cisco System’s stock.

Total of after tax (bottom line) earnings divided by number of common shares including unexercised stock options, and unconverted preferred stock and convertible bonds. Undiluted earnings would be after tax earnings divided by issued stock only, not considering outstanding options, etc.

A plan implemented by a corporation allowing purchase of shares, or fractions of shares, directly from the company, usually on a regular basis. 

The difference between a bond’s face value and its current market price. 

A stockbroker charging lower commissions than full-service brokers. Discount brokers do not give investment advice.

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.

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

Writing an option when the writer owns the underlying security, and writes the option on a one to one ratio with the stock. A short call is covered if the underlying security is owned. A short put is covered if the underlying security is also short in the account. A short call is covered if a long call of the same underlying security is owned in the same account with the same or lower strike. A short put is covered if a long put of the same underlying security is owned in the same account with a strike price equal to or greater than the strike of the short put.