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A private-sector index (1992=100) that attempts to predict the direction of inflation over the next 6 to 12 months.

A company estimates the future profitability of a trade made today and books a profit today based on the present value of those estimated future profits.

Earnings before interest and taxes. Also known as operating income. 

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. Adds these items back to reported earnings to more accurately reflect real cash earnings of company. Similar to operating cash flow, except operating cash flow also considers changes in levels of inventories and receivables.

Electronic Communication Network. ECNs are expected to supplement or even replace conventional stock exchanges over the next one to two years.

Developing countries.

Investment vehicles that may engage in the development, acquisition, and/or production of oil and gas reserves. The trust receives royalty income from producing properties (essentially, net cash flow) and then sells interests in the trust (called trust units) to investors. Conventional oil and gas royalty trusts are actively managed portfolios holding assets of mature producing properties. Substantially all of the cash flow generated by the oil and gas assets, net of certain deductions, such as administrative expenses and management fees, is passed on to the unit holders as royalty income. Capital expenses may also be deducted, but are usually subject to restrictions on the amount. The distributions are highly dependent upon the cash flow generated by the trust. In general, the largest variable in determining the level of cash flow is the price of crude oil and natural gas. Royalty trusts provide an alternative (from owning the shares of individual companies) for investors to participate in the oil and gas sector.

Earnings per share.

Common and preferred stocks, which represent a share in the ownership of a company.

The dollar value of securities issued in accordance with a TSX or TSX Venture Exchange approved transaction. The value equals the number of securities multiplied by the offering price. The various forms of financial instruments may have an effect on determining the price or the number of securities.