An arrangement wherein a creditor agrees to satisfy certain financial obligations of a borrower, provided the borrower agrees to reimburse the creditor.
Organizations such as utilities or cable television companies with exclusive public charters to operate within a given service area. Quasi-public corporations have essentially been granted by a governmental entity a monopoly to provide a service.
A quasi-subsidiary is a company, trust, partnership, or other arrangement that does not fulfill the definition of a subsidiary undertaking but is directly or indirectly controlled by the reporting entity and provides similar benefits.
A queue is an organized list where elements are processed in a specific order, often used in both real-world scenarios like waiting lines and in computing contexts such as data structures and print jobs.
Queuing Theory, also known as Waiting Line Theory, is a quantitative technique used for balancing services available with services required. It evaluates the ability of service facilities to handle capacity and load at different times during the day. This theory is crucial for problems of balancing cost and service level, such as determining the number of toll booths on a highway and the number of tellers in a bank.
A quick asset is any asset that can be converted into cash within a short timeline, typically 90 days or less.
Quick assets, also known as liquid assets, are cash and other assets that can be quickly converted into cash without significant loss of value. They are crucial in assessing the short-term liquidity and financial health of a business.
The Quick Ratio, also known as the Acid-Test Ratio or Liquid Ratio, is a measure of a company's ability to meet its short-term obligations using its most liquid assets.
Quick-succession relief is designed to prevent the severe double taxation of inheritance tax on the same property within a short timeline — specifically when two related individuals pass away within five years of each other.
Quicken is a popular financial recordkeeping software produced by Intuit, designed to manage personal and small business finance.
Quid Pro Quo, translating to 'something for something', is often used in legal and business contexts to refer to an exchange where one thing is given in return for another. It implies a mutual agreement or consideration where both parties receive something of value.
Quiet Enjoyment refers to the right of a tenant or property owner to use and enjoy their premises without significant disruption or interference. It is usually guaranteed by a covenant whether explicitly stated in a lease or implied by law.
A quiet title suit is a legal action designed to resolve disputes over ownership of a piece of property. It helps to officially establish who owns a property and eliminate any false claims to the title.
The act of voluntarily terminating an employment relationship, ending a process or session with a computer program, or exiting a scenario.
A Quitclaim Deed is a legal instrument that conveys only the right, title, or interest that the grantor currently has in a property, without guaranteeing that the grantor actually has any specific title or interest in the property. The grantor, under a Quitclaim Deed, releases whatever interest they may have to the grantee.
Quo Warranto is a historical common law writ used to challenge a person's right to hold public office, franchises, or liberties. It asks by what authority the individual claims such rights.
Quorum is the minimum number of members of a body who must be present for the group to legally transact business.
A quota is a predetermined goal or target set within various programs such as sales and media plans. It serves to measure performance and achieve specific objectives.
A sample group of people used for research purposes who have been selected at the discretion of the interviewer based on predetermined quotas.
A quotation is a commercial statement detailing the price of an item, provided either as an answer to an inquiry or in the context of stock market activities.
A quoted company, also known as a listed company, is a business entity whose shares are traded on a stock exchange. These companies are subject to strict regulatory requirements and transparency rules to protect investors.
An irrevocable trust used to fund deferred compensation benefits for key employees in the absence of a qualified plan or trust, ensuring some financial security against company risks.
Merchant wholesalers providing merchandise and rack displays at retail locations. Rack jobbers own the merchandise and work cooperatively with retailers in terms of sharing profits, thus relieving the retailer of the need to acquire merchandise while allowing them to benefit from the sale of the merchandise.
An activity designed for the purpose of achieving gains, often involving extortion or the sale of illegal substances or services. Racketeering is an organized conspiracy to accomplish such activities.
The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) is a United States federal law enacted in 1970 to combat organized crime. RICO allows for the prosecution of individuals involved in ongoing criminal enterprises, including those indirectly involved.
The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) is a federal law enacted in 1970 designed to combat organized crime in the United States by enabling prosecutors to charge individuals or groups involved in extended criminal enterprises.
Originally known as an organized conspiracy to commit extortion, racketeering today includes various punishable offenses legislated by Congress to eradicate organized crime, offering enhanced sanctions and new remedies for prosecuting illegal activities of those involved in organized crime.
In computing, a radio button is a circular icon in a dialog box that can be clicked with a mouse to select one option among multiple, typically mutually exclusive, options.
RFID is the use of radio signals to recognize, from a few feet away, a tiny device (RFID chip) built into items such as price tags, ID cards, and passports. It is also used for tracking pets through subdermal implants.
A radiogram is a type of message sent by radio, often to and from ships while they are at sea. It is a crucial form of communication in the maritime industry, enabling rapid exchange of information over long distances.
The percentage of cotton fiber content in high-quality paper. The percentage of rag content becomes visible when the paper is held up to light, offering an indication of the paper's quality and durability.
RAG Rating is a system for monitoring and reporting on the progress of a complex, longer-term project using a color-coded scheme to identify areas needing urgent action.
A raider is an individual or organization that seeks to take over a company, often through aggressive strategies and hostile takeover bids, to capitalize on undervalued assets.
The Railroad Retirement Act, a congressional act effective from 1935, provides retirement benefits to retired railroad workers and their families from a dedicated fund separate from the Social Security fund.
Rain insurance is a type of business interruption insurance that indemnifies the insured for loss of earnings and payment of expenses due to adverse weather conditions, particularly rain. This can cover losses from events like fairs, horse races, or boxing matches being rained out, but it does not cover property damage.
Individual who brings significant amounts of new business to a company, such as a law or accounting firm.
A raised check is a type of check on which the amount and possibly other information are raised above the smooth surface of the paper to prevent alteration and ensure security.
A marked rise in the price of a security, commodity future, or market after a period of decline or sideways movement.
Refers to a phase where sales and profits of a new business increase rapidly until a plateau is reached at maturity.
In UK tax law, the Ramsey Principle allows the court to examine a series of connected transactions collectively to ascertain the taxpayer's liability, rather than isolating each individual transaction.
A random sample is a subset of individuals selected from a larger population in such a way that every individual has an equal and independent chance of being chosen.
A random variable is a fundamental concept in statistics used to describe quantities that have no fixed value but instead are subject to variability due to random phenomena.
The Random Walk Theory posits that the movement of stock and commodity futures prices is inherently unpredictable, given that past price movements cannot accurately forecast future price trends.
Random-Access Memory (RAM) is a type of computer memory that can be accessed randomly; any byte of memory can be accessed without touching the preceding bytes. RAM is the most common type of memory used in computers and other electronic devices to store data temporarily that the CPU needs while performing tasks.
Random-Access Memory (RAM) is a crucial component in computers and other digital devices. It is a form of volatile memory that temporarily stores data for quick access, significantly impacting the system's performance and capacity.
Random-Digit Dialing (RDD) is a technique used to generate telephone numbers randomly for survey research, allowing access to both unlisted and listed numbers. It ensures a representative sample by ensuring that every possible number has a chance of being selected.
A program that generates a sequence of numbers that seem to be completely random. Random numbers provide a way of selecting a sample without human bias.
The theory that financial market prices move without any memory of past movements, suggesting that their movements do not follow any predictable pattern.
Range is a key metric used in various fields, such as investment and statistics, to measure the scope of data or price fluctuations within a specific period.
The term 'rank-and-file' refers to the ordinary dues-paying members of a union who are not part of the union's leadership or officials.
Rapport refers to an environment of harmony, consonance, agreement, or accord achieved through activities that encourage mutual understanding and trust. It is especially critical in business relationships where effective communication and positive interactions are key to success.
RAROC, or Risk-Adjusted Return on Capital, is a financial metric used to determine profitability considering the risk taken by a firm. It assesses the returns, adjusted for risk, on the capital invested.
The term 'ratable' refers to something that can be estimated or assessed proportionally, often in the context of taxation, bankruptcy, or legal financial obligations.
Explore the concept of the ratchet effect, where an economic variable, such as prices or wages, undergoes an irreversible change. Understand how temporary pressures can have lasting impacts on the economy and contribute to inflation.
A rate is a quantity or amount measured with respect to another quantity or amount. Often used to denote interest rates, exchange rates, or other financial metrics, it serves as a basis for determining charges or payments.
The rate base is the value established for a utility by a regulatory body on which a regulated company is allowed to earn a particular rate of return.
A rate cap refers to a predetermined limit placed on the increases and decreases in the interest rate for an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM), providing a level of protection to the borrower against significant rate changes.
A rate card is a document used in advertising to give the advertising cost per advertising unit. The rate card includes space, time, mechanical requirement data, and other pertinent information.
The rate of inflation measures the percentage change in the price level of goods and services over a period, indicating how much prices have increased or decreased, reflecting the economy's health.
The rate of interest represents the cost of borrowing money expressed as a percentage of the principal amount. It is a fundamental concept in both personal and corporate finance, impacting loans, savings, investment decisions and the overall economy.
An annual measure for evaluating the efficiency of an investment, typically represented as a percentage of the original investment value.
Rate of Return on Equity (ROE) measures the profitability of an investment, focusing on net income generated by shareholders' equity. It provides insights into how efficiently a company uses its equity base to generate profits.
Rate of return pricing involves setting prices for a range of products so that they achieve a predetermined rate of return or return on capital employed (ROCE). This pricing strategy aligns pricing decisions with the financial objectives of earning a specific return, ensuring that the company meets its profitability targets.
The rate of turnover, also known as the turnover ratio, depicts how frequently some part of the assets of an organization is turned over (i.e., replaced by others of the same class) within a specified period, typically a year.
A basis used in absorption costing for absorbing manufacturing overhead into the cost units produced. It is essential for allocating overhead costs accurately in a manufacturing environment.
Rate per machine hour is a basis used in absorption costing for absorbing manufacturing overhead into cost units produced, providing insights into the operational efficiency and cost management within a manufacturing setup.
A basis used in absorption costing for absorbing manufacturing overhead into the cost units produced.
Rate setting refers to the establishment of utility rates by public service utility commissions to ensure fair pricing for consumers and sufficient revenue for the utility companies.
A rated policy is an insurance policy where the applicant is charged a higher-than-standard premium due to unique factors such as health impairments, hazardous occupations, or risky hobbies.
Ratification refers to the official approval or confirmation by a person or entity of a previous contract or act, which would not be legally binding without such approval. It often occurs in situations where the initial agreement was not properly authorized or where further consent is essential for the agreement's enforceability.
The process of systematically assigning ranks or evaluations to goods and services based on set criteria, encompassing various domains such as credit, investment, and insurance.
A rating agency is an organization that monitors the credit backing of bond issues and other forms of public borrowings. It also provides ratings on the risks involved in holding specific stocks. Well-known rating agencies include Standard & Poor's, Moody's, and Fitch.
Ratio analysis is the use of accounting ratios to evaluate a company's operating performance and financial stability. Examples include return on capital employed and gross profit percentage for profitability assessment. Additionally, the liquid ratio examines solvency, while gearing ratios evaluate the company's financial structure.
A Ratio Covenant is a form of covenant in a loan agreement that includes conditions relating to financial ratios such as the gearing ratio and interest cover.
The highest level of measurement in which not only the differences between observations are quantifiable, but the observations can themselves be expressed as a ratio. It is the most powerful measurement scale.
Rational expectations refer to the hypothesis in economics that individuals make decisions based on their best available information, forecasting future economic variables as accurately as possible.
Rationalization refers to reorganization efforts within a firm, group, or industry aimed at increasing efficiency and profitability. Activities under rationalization may include closing redundant units, expanding others, or restructuring the product range to adapt to market demands.
A method for limiting the purchase or usage of an item when the quantity demanded exceeds the quantity available at a specific price. Common during crises, rationing ensures fair distribution of scarce resources.
Initial data a researcher has before beginning analysis, often unprocessed and unorganized, representing real-world conditions without any transformations or analytical treatments.
Acreage with no added improvements such as landscaping, drainage, streets, utilities, and structures.
Raw material refers to the primary substances used as a component in the manufacturing process of finished goods. For instance, wool serves as the raw material in the production of woolen sweaters.
Raw materials are the basic materials that are used at the very beginning of a production process, essential for manufacturing final products.
The inventory of raw materials held at a specified time, which appears on the balance sheet under the heading of current assets.
Reach refers to the total number of audience members who are exposed to a specific message at least once within a particular time frame. It is a crucial metric in advertising and marketing to understand the potential impact of a campaign.
Read-Only Memory (ROM) is a type of non-volatile memory used in computers and other electronic devices to store firmware and data that should not be modified during the regular operation of the device.
Read-Only Memory (ROM) is a type of non-volatile storage used in computers and other electronic devices. Data stored in ROM can only be read and not written during normal operation, making it crucial for storing firmware and system software that do not require modification.
Reading the tape involves monitoring changes in stock prices as displayed on the ticker tape in an attempt to gauge immediate stock market conditions of a particular stock, industry group, or the market as a whole.
Voluntary reorganization by the stockholders themselves of a corporation facing financial difficulties; the voluntary restructuring of a corporation's debt and capital structure.
A README file is a text document, often named README.TXT, that provides key information about a software application, to be read before proceeding with installation or usage.
In real estate, 'ready, willing, and able' refers to a person who is capable of an action and disposed to act, particularly in terms of buying property under the terms of a listing agreement. If a broker finds such a person, they have earned their commission because they have fulfilled the requirements of the listing.
Reaganomics is a term used to describe the conservative, free-market economic policies endorsed by President Ronald Reagan and his administration during his time in office from 1981 to 1989.
In economics and finance, 'real' is used to describe variables such as prices, wages, and interest rates that have been adjusted for inflation, providing a more accurate representation of purchasing power and economic value over time.
Real accounts refer to ledger accounts used to record property, plant, equipment, and other assets, distinguishing them from nominal accounts which track revenues and expenses.
Real earnings refer to wages, salaries, and other forms of income adjusted for inflation, providing an accurate measure of changes in purchasing power over time.
In the USA, immovable property, especially land and buildings.
In the USA, immovable property, especially land and buildings.
A real estate agent is a licensed professional who represents buyers and sellers in real estate transactions.
A Real Estate Broker arranges the purchase or sale of property for a buyer or seller in return for a commission. Brokers must be licensed by the state, and salespeople, who are also licensed, work under brokers.
Real estate closing, also known as settlement or completion, is the process where the ownership of property is transferred from the seller to the buyer. It involves the finalization of all contracts and financial arrangements, the signing of relevant documents, and the transfer of funds.
A Real Estate Commission is a state agency responsible for enforcing real estate license laws, regulating the activities of real estate professionals to ensure compliance with the legal standards and protection of consumer interests.
