A method of evaluating future security prices and market directions based on statistical analysis of variables such as trading volume, price changes, etc., to identify patterns.

Similar to guaranteed investment certificate. An interest-paying investment under which the investor commits funds for a specified term at a specified rate of interest, usually 30, 60, 90 days and up to one year.

A combination of letters that identifies a stock-exchange security. Often, it is the truncated or abbreviated name of the company or group issuing the security. For example, "SMI" stands for Sun Media Corporation and "TSE" stands for the Toronto Stock Exchange.

Some people attempt to invest by timing market highs ("sell" points) and market lows ("buy" points). Few do this well, and the track records of market-timing firms has been less than stellar. We suggest you follow more of a "buy-and-hold" philosophy using dollar cost averaging to make regular purchases.

The number of days or months or years until expiry of an option or other derivative instrument.

A measure of the performance (income and price changes) of your investments independent of the amount of money invested. TWR is expressed as a percent gain or loss for easy comparison with other percent changes for the same time period.

The TWR expressed as an interest rates so that you can easily compare it with other interest rates for the same time period.

For income tax purposes, the sum of all income that is potentially subject to tax. Net income is total income minus allowable deductions such as pension contributions, union dues and child care expenses. Taxable income is net income minus certain other allowable deductions such as the northern residents' deduction.

The total amount your assets (stocks, bonds, bank accounts, home equity, real estate, personal property, business receivables, notes receivable, etc.) minus the total amount of your liabilities (outstanding loans owed, credit card balances, taxes payable, bills payable, etc.)

Short-term government debt. Treasury bills bear no interest, but are sold at a discount. The difference between the discount price and par value is the return to be received by the investor.

Stock re-acquired by a corporation to be retired, or resold to the general public, the stock is considered issued, but not outstanding (in the hands of investors).

An instrument placing ownership of property in the name of one person, called a trustee, to be held by the trustee for the use and benefit of some other person.