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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Basis Points (bps)
unit of measure used in quoting yields, changes in yields or differences between yields. One basis point is equal to 0.01%, or one one-hundredth of a percent of yield and 100 basis points equals 1%.

Beneficiary
An individual named as the recipient of the income or principal of an estate or trust.

Beta
Beta represents the systematic risk of a portfolio and measures its sensitivity to a benchmark.

Blue Chip Stocks
High-quality, common stock of well-known companies with extended records of earnings and dividends, well-respected management, and prospects for continued strong performance. Generally, these stocks are the choice of investors seeking long-term growth.

Bond
A debt instrument that is a "promise to pay" issued by corporations, federal and state goverments, and municipalities to raise capital. The bond issuer promises to pay the holder of the bond the principal amount of the loan when the bond matures and a fixed rate of interest periodically during the term of the bond.

Book Value to Price
A ratio used to compare a stock's book value to its market value. It is calculated by dividing the latest quarter's book value per share to the current price of the stock.

Borrower
One who receives funds in the form of a loan with the obligation of repaying the loan in full with interest.

Brent Crude
is a grade of crude oil used as a benchmark to price European, African and Middle Eastern oil that is exported to the West.

Bull/Bear
Terms frequently used to describe the outlook for short-and long-term market performance:

• bull refers to the belief that stock prices are likely to rise;
• bear refers to the expectation that prices will decline.