Financial Times Stock Index represents British Stocks listed on the stock market. FTSE 100 represents the 100 biggest public listed companies, FTSE 250 the 250 biggest etc.

Funds are operated/managed by an Investment/Insurance company that raises money from individuals/companies and usually invests in stocks, bonds, property, currencies, money market securities and derivatives on their behalf.

A fund of fund is one that invests its assets in other funds and thus holds shares of many different funds.

A fund rating is an evaluation of a fund in terms of its expected performance and/or risk level. Moody’s and Standard and Poor's are examples of some of the most popular fund rating agencies. It is important to note that fund ratings should not be mistaken for performance ratings, which exclusively inform the investor about a fund’s potential returns not taking into account the risk of funds.

An approach to research and investment that focuses on supply and demand fundamentals and analysis of economic trends and the underlying causes of price movements. Fundamental analysis tends to be synonymous with a qualitative or discretionary approach to investment, and can be contrasted with quantitative or technical analysis and a systematic approach to investment.

A Future is a derivative instrument [see Derivatives]
Futures are a risky but at the same time promising investment form; open to both private and institutional investors. Futures contracts include financials, such as stocks, interests, indices and currencies, as well as metals, grains, livestock and soft commodities. Due to the use of leverage, futures funds often have a higher level of risk than many mutual funds. In some cases, they are not subject to investment laws. Computerized trading systems frequently play a part in the management of futures investments.

Futures funds invest their assets in the futures and/or options exchanges.

In the futures market, participants trade commodity contracts representing delivery for some specified future date. The price, quantity and delivery date are all established by a futures contract. Opposite of: cash market.