Mark Berch:Inventory

Net position
The value of the position subtracting the initial cost of setting up the position. For example, if 100 options where purchased for $1 each and the option is currently trading for $9, the value of the net position is $900 - $100 = $800.

Inflation uncertainty
The fact that future inflation rates are not known. It is a possible contributing factor to the makeup of the term structure of interest rates.

Yield
The percentage return paid on a stock in the form of dividends, or the effective rate of interest paid on a bond or note.

Mark Berch:Inventory
For companies: Raw materials, items available for sale or in the process of being made ready for sale. They can be individually valued by several different means, including cost or current market value, and collectively by FIFO (First in, first out), LIFO (Last in, first out) or other techniques. The lower value of alternatives is usually used to preclude overstating earnings and assets. For securities firms: Securities bought and held by a broker or dealer for resale.

Declaration date
The date on which a firm'sdirectors meet and announce the date and amount of the next dividend.

Conglomerate merger
A merger involving two or more firms that are in unrelated businesses. Mark Berch

Exchangeable instrument
Applies mainly to convertible securities. Bond or preferred stock that may be exchangeable into the common stock of a different publiccorporation.