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| Financial Terms | |
| Nexus (of contracts) |
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Information about financial, finance, business, accounting, payroll, inventory, investment, money, inventory control, stock trading, financial advisor, tax advisor, credit.
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Definition of Nexus (of contracts)Nexus (of contracts)A set or collection of something.Related Terms:Cash settlement contractsFutures contracts, such as stock index futures, that settle for cash, not involvingthe delivery of the underlying. Conditional sales contractsSimilar to equipment trust certificates except that the lender is either theequipment manufacturer or a bank or finance company to whom the manufacturer has sold the conditional sales contract. Open contractscontracts which have been bought or sold without the transaction having been completed bysubsequent sale or purchase, or by making or taking actual delivery of the financial instrument or physical commodity. Set of contracts perspectiveView of corporation as a set of contracting relationships, among individualswho have conflicting objectives, such as shareholders or managers. The corporation is a legal contrivance that serves as the nexus for the contracting relationships. Walsh-Healey Public Contracts Act of 1936A federal Act that forces government contractors to comply with the government’s minimum wage and hour rules.NPV (net present value of cash flows)Same as PV, but usually includes a subtraction for an initial cash outlay.PV (present value of cash flows)the value in today’s dollars of cash flows that occur in different time periods.present value factor equal to the formula 1/(1 - r)n, where n is the number of years from the valuation date to the cash flow and r is the discount rate. For business valuation, n should usually be midyear, i.e., n = 0.5, 1.5, . . . Bank for International Settlements (BIS)An international bank headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, whichserves as a forum for monetary cooperation among several European central banks, the Bank of Japan, and the U.S. Federal Reserve System. Founded in 1930 to handle the German payment of World War I reparations, it now monitors and collects data on international banking activity and promulgates rules concerning international bank regulation. CashThe value of assets that can be converted into cash immediately, as reported by a company. Usuallyincludes bank accounts and marketable securities, such as government bonds and Banker's Acceptances. cash equivalents on balance sheets include securities (e.g., notes) that mature within 90 days. Cash budgetA forecasted summary of a firm's expected cash inflows and cash outflows as well as itsexpected cash and loan balances. Cash and carryPurchase of a security and simultaneous sale of a future, with the balance being financedwith a loan or repo. Cash and equivalentsThe value of assets that can be converted into cash immediately, as reported by acompany. Usually includes bank accounts and marketable securities, such as government bonds and Banker's Acceptances. cash equivalents on balance sheets include securities (e.g., notes) that mature within 90 days. Cash commodityThe actual physical commodity, as distinguished from a futures contract.Cash conversion cycleThe length of time between a firm's purchase of inventory and the receipt of cashfrom accounts receivable. Cash cowA company that pays out all earnings per share to stockholders as dividends. Or, a company ordivision of a company that generates a steady and significant amount of free cash flow. Cash cycleIn general, the time between cash disbursement and cash collection. In net working capitalmanagement, it can be thought of as the operating cycle less the accounts payable payment period. Cash deficiency agreementAn agreement to invest cash in a project to the extent required to cover any cashdeficiency the project may experience. Cash deliveryThe provision of some futures contracts that requires not delivery of underlying assets butsettlement according to the cash value of the asset. Cash discountAn incentive offered to purchasers of a firm's product for payment within a specified timeperiod, such as ten days. Cash dividendA dividend paid in cash to a company's shareholders. The amount is normally based onprofitability and is taxable as income. A cash distribution may include capital gains and return of capital in addition to the dividend. Cash equivalentA short-term security that is sufficiently liquid that it may be considered the financialequivalent of cash. Cash flowIn investments, it represents earnings before depreciation , amortization and non-cash charges.Sometimes called cash earnings. cash flow from operations (called funds from operations ) by real estate and other investment trusts is important because it indicates the ability to pay dividends. Cash flow after interest and taxesNet income plus depreciation.Cash flow coverage ratioThe number of times that financial obligations (for interest, principal payments,preferred stock dividends, and rental payments) are covered by earnings before interest, taxes, rental payments, and depreciation. Cash flow from operationsA firm's net cash inflow resulting directly from its regular operations(disregarding extraordinary items such as the sale of fixed assets or transaction costs associated with issuing securities), calculated as the sum of net income plus non-cash expenses that were deducted in calculating net income. Cash flow matchingAlso called dedicating a portfolio, this is an alternative to multiperiod immunization inwhich the manager matches the maturity of each element in the liability stream, working backward from the last liability to assure all required cash flows. Cash flow per common sharecash flow from operations minus preferred stock dividends, divided by thenumber of common shares outstanding. Cash flow time-lineLine depicting the operating activities and cash flows for a firm over a particular period.Cash-flow break-even pointThe point below which the firm will need either to obtain additional financingor to liquidate some of its assets to meet its fixed costs. Cash management billVery short maturity bills that the Treasury occasionally sells because its cashbalances are down and it needs money for a few days. Cash marketsAlso called spot markets, these are markets that involve the immediate delivery of a securityor instrument. Related: derivative markets. Cash offerA public equity issue that is sold to all interested investors.Cash ratioThe proportion of a firm's assets held as cash.Cash transactionA transaction where exchange is immediate, as contrasted to a forward contract, whichcalls for future delivery of an asset at an agreed-upon price. Cash-equivalent itemsTemporary investments of currently excess cash in short-term, high-qualityinvestment media such as treasury bills and Banker's Acceptances. Cash-surrender valueAn amount the insurance company will pay if the policyholder ends a whole lifeinsurance policy. CashoutRefers to a situation where a firm runs out of cash and cannot readily sell marketable securities.Contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC)The formal name for the load of a back-end load fund.Days' sales in inventory ratioThe average number of days' worth of sales that is held in inventory.Days' sales outstandingAverage collection period.Discounted cash flow (DCF)Future cash flows multiplied by discount factors to obtain present values.Discretionary cash flowcash flow that is available after the funding of all positive NPV capital investmentprojects; it is available for paying cash dividends, repurchasing common stock, retiring debt, and so on. Domestic International Sales Corporation (DISC)A U.S. corporation that receives a tax incentive forexport activities. Equivalent annual cash flowAnnuity with the same net present value as the company's proposed investment.Expected future cash flowsProjected future cash flows associated with an asset of decision.Foreign Sales Corporation (FSC)A special type of corporation created by the Tax Reform Act of 1984 thatis designed to provide a tax incentive for exporting U.S.-produced goods. Free cash flowscash not required for operations or for reinvestment. Often defined as earnings beforeinterest (often obtained from operating income line on the income statement) less capital expenditures less the change in working capital. General cash offerA public offering made to investors at large.Good delivery and settlement proceduresRefers to PSA Uniform Practices such as cutoff times on deliveryof securities and notification, allocation, and proper endorsement. Immediate settlementDelivery and settlement of securities within five business days.Incremental cash flowsDifference between the firm's cash flows with and without a project.Ledger cashA firm's cash balance as reported in its financial statements. Also called book cash.Net cash balanceBeginning cash balance plus cash receipts minus cash disbursements.Nominal cash flowA cash flow expressed in nominal terms if the actual dollars to be received or paid out are given.Noncash chargeA cost, such as depreciation, depletion, and amortization, that does not involve any cash outflow.Operating cash flowEarnings before depreciation minus taxes. It measures the cash generated fromoperations, not counting capital spending or working capital requirements. Price/sales ratio (PS Ratio)Determined by dividing current stock price by revenue per share (adjusted for stock splits).Revenue per share for the P/S ratio is determined by dividing revenue for past 12 months by number of shares outstanding. Real cash flowA cash flow is expressed in real terms if the current, or date 0, purchasing power of the cashflow is given. Regular way settlementIn the money and bond markets, the regular basis on which some security trades aresettled is that the delivery of the securities purchased is made against payment in Fed funds on the day following the transaction. Sales chargeThe fee charged by a mutual fund when purchasing shares, usually payable as a commission tomarketing agent, such as a financial advisor, who is thus compensated for his assistance to a purchaser. It represents the difference, if any, between the share purchase price and the share net asset value. Sales forecastA key input to a firm's financial planning process. External sales forecasts are based onhistorical experience, statistical analysis, and consideration of various macroeconomic factors. Sales-type leaseAn arrangement whereby a firm leases its own equipment, such as IBM leasing its owncomputers, thereby competing with an independent leasing company. Scheduled cash flowsThe mortgage principal and interest payments due to be paid under the terms of themortgage not including possible prepayments. SettlementWhen payment is made for a trade.Settlement dateThe date on which payment is made to settle a trade. For stocks traded on US exchanges,settlement is currently 3 business days after the trade. For mutual funds, settlement usually occurs in the U.S.the day following the trade. In some regional markets, foreign shares may require months to settle. Settlement priceA figure determined by the closing range which is used to calculate gains and losses infutures market accounts. settlement prices are used to determine gains, losses, margin calls, and invoice prices for deliveries. Related: closing range. Settlement rateThe rate suggested in Financial Accounting Standard Board (FASB) 87 for discounting theobligations of a pension plan. The rate at which the pension benefits could be effectively settled off the pension plan wished to terminate its pension obligation. Skip-day settlementThe trade is settled one business day beyond what is normal.Statement of cash flowsA financial statement showing a firm's cash receipts and cash payments during aspecified period. Statement-of-cash-flows methodA method of cash budgeting that is organized along the lines of the statement of cash flows.Structured settlementAn agreement in settlement of a lawsuit involving specific payments made over aperiod of time. Property and casualty insurance companies often buy life insurance products to pay the costs of such settlements. Symmetric cash matchingAn extension of cash flow matching that allows for the short-term borrowing offunds to satisfy a liability prior to the liability due date, resulting in a reduction in the cost of funding liabilities. Target cash balanceOptimal amount of cash for a firm to hold, considering the trade-off between theopportunity costs of holding too much cash and the trading costs of holding too little cash. Wanted for cashA statement displayed on market tickers indicating that a bidder will pay cash for same daysettlement of a block of a specified security. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTSThe balance in a company’s checking account(s) plus short-term or temporary investments (sometimes called “marketable securities”), which are highly liquid.CASH-FLOW STATEMENTA statement that shows where a company’s cash came from and where it went for a period of time, such as a year.CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIESA section on the cash-flow statement that shows how much cash a company raised by selling stocks or bonds this year and how much was paid out for cash dividends and other finance-related obligations.CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIESA section on the cashflow statement that shows how much cash came in and went out because of various investing activities like purchasing machinery.CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATIONSA section on the cash-flow Stockholders’ equity statement that shows how much cash came into a company and how much went out during the normal course of business.NET SALES (revenue)The amount sold after customers’ returns, sales discounts, and other allowances are taken away fromgross sales. (Companies usually just show the net sales amount on their income statements, omitting returns, allowances, and the like.) NUMBER OF DAYS SALES IN RECEIVABLES(also called average collection period). The number of days of net sales that are tied up in credit sales (accounts receivable) that haven’t been collected yet.RATIO OF NET INCOME TO NET SALESA ratio that shows how much net income (profit) a company made on each dollar of net sales. Here’s the formula:(Net income) / (Net sales) RATIO OF NET SALES TO NET INCOMEA ratio that shows how much a company had to collect in net sales to make a dollar of profit. Figure it this way:(Net sales) / (Net income) Cash accountingA method of accounting in which profit is calculated as the difference between incomewhen it is received and expenses when they are paid. Cash costThe amount of cash expended.Cash Flow statementA financial report that shows the movement in cash for a business during an accounting period.Cash value added (CVA)A method of investment appraisal that calculates the ratio of the net present value of aninvestment to the initial capital investment. Cost of salesThe manufacture or purchase price of goods sold in a period or the cost of providing a service.Discounted cash flow (DCF)A method of investment appraisal that discounts future cash flows to present value using a discount rate, which is the risk-adjusted cost of capital.Sales mixThe mix of product/services offered by the business, each of which may be aimed at different customers, with each product/service having different prices and costs.CashAmounts held in currency and coin (commonly referred to as petty cash) and amounts on deposit in financial institutions.cash disbursement journal A journal used to record the transactions that result in a credit to cash. Cash receipts journalA journal used to record the transactions that result in a debit to cash.Petty cashThe amount of currency and coin that a company keeps on hand to pay for small purchases and expenses.SalesAmounts earned by the company from the sale of merchandise or services; often used interchangeably with the term revenue.Sales discountsA contra account that offsets revenue. It represents the amount of the discounts for early payment allowed on sales.Sales journalA journal used to record the transactions that result in a credit to sales.Sales returnsA contra account that offsets revenue. It represents the amount of sales made that were later returned.Statement of Cash FlowsOne of the basic financial statements; it lists the cash inflows and cash outflows of the company, grouped into the categories of operating activities, financing activities, and investing activities. The Statement of cash Flows is prepared for a specified period of time.cash burn rateA relatively recent term that refers to how fast a businessis using up its available cash, especially when its cash flow from operating activities is negative instead of positive. This term most often refers to a business struggling through its start-up or early phases that has not yet generated enough cash inflow from sales to cover its cash outflow for expenses (and perhaps never will). cash flowAn obvious but at the same time elusive term that refers to cashinflows and outflows during a period. But the specific sources and uses of cash flows are not clear in this general term. The statement of cash flows, which is one of the three primary financial statements of a business, classifies cash flows into three types: those from operating activities (sales and expenses, or profit-making operations), those from investing activities, and those from financing activities. Sometimes the term cash flow is used as shorthand for cash flow from profit (i.e., cash flow from operating activities). cash flow from operating activities, or cash flow from profitThis equals the cash inflow from sales during the period minus the cashoutflow for expenses during the period. Keep in mind that to measure net income, generally accepted accounting principles require the use of accrual-basis accounting. Starting with the amount of accrual-basis net income, adjustments are made for changes in accounts receivable, inventories, prepaid expenses, and operating liabilities—and depreciation expense is added back (as well as any other noncash outlay expense)—to arrive at cash flow from profit, which is formally labeled cash flow from operating activities in the externally reported statement of cash flows. statement of cash flowsOne of the three primary financial statementsthat a business includes in the periodic financial reports to its outside shareowners and lenders. This financial statement summarizes the business’s cash inflows and outflows for the period according to a threefold classification: (1) cash flow from operating activities (cash flow from profit), (2) cash flow from investing activities, and (3) cash flow from financing activities. Frankly, the typical statement of cash flows is difficult to read and decipher; it includes too many lines of information and is fairly technical compared with the typical balance sheet and income statement. discounted cash flow (DCF)Refers to a capital investment analysis techniquethat discounts, or scales down, the future cash returns from an investment based on the cost-of-capital rate for the business. In essence, each future return is downsized to take into account the cost of capital from the start of the investment until the future point in time when the return is received. Present value (PV) is the amount resulting from discounting the future returns. Present value is subtracted from the entry cost of the investment to determine net present value (NPV). The net present value is positive if the present value is more than the entry cost, which signals that the investment would earn more than the cost-ofcapital rate. If the entry cost is more than the present value, the net present value is negative, which means that the investment would earn less than the business’s cost-of-capital rate. Related to : financial, finance, business, accounting, payroll, inventory, investment, money, inventory control, stock trading, financial advisor, tax advisor, credit. |