A method of evaluating securities that focuses on market data, such as historical prices, trading variables and indicators rather than the intrinsic value of a security. Unlike fundamental analysts, who evaluate business and economic data, technical analysts stress that market psychology influences trading in a way that creates distinct trends. Technical analysis is also contrary to the random walk theory which claims that market prices follow a random path up and down, without any influence by past price movements.

In the financial industry, trading is a general term referring to the buying or selling of securities or commodities.

(Commodity Trading Advisor, CTA)
A Commodity Trading Advisor (CTA) is an individual or firm that invests in futures markets (financial futures contracts and commodity futures contracts). CTAs have to be registered with the CFTC as well as at the NFA.

Trading costs refer to the costs of making a transaction, including broker commissions and dealer spreads.

Trend, in the financial sense, is a general description for noteworthy price movements. Specific examples of trends include: temporal trends (short-term, mid-term and long-term trends) and directional trends (up trend, flat/sideways trends and downtrends) on the other hand.

The total percentage return of an investment over a specified period, calculated by expressing the difference between the investment’s initial price and final price as a percentage of the initial price.

A performance report produced by an investment manager that is made available, usually on a monthly basis, to clients with holdings in particular product. The report details the change in net asset value of a product and explains performance in light of market conditions as well as any relevant portfolio changes and developments.

The actual performance of an investment since inception, usually represented by audited monthly returns, net of fees.

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It is a legal obligation, where the owner, the Settlor, passes and entrusts his property to, the trustee. The trustee deals with the property over which he has control, the trust property, for the benefit of certain people, the beneficiaries.