Grain Glossary

< BACK KNOWLEDGE BASE Grain Glossary Get an overview of financial terms and their definitions. ALL A A B B C C D D E E F F G G H H I I K K L L M M N N O O P P Q Q R R S S T T U U V V W W X X Z Z E Electronic invoicing Electronic invoicing (e-invoicing) refers to the creation, exchange, and processing of invoices electronically instead of on paper. E-invoicing involves sending invoices electronically between a supplier and a buyer, usually via the internet. There are several benefits to this method of invoicing over traditional paper invoicing, including increased efficiency, reduced errors and fraud, improved cash flow, and lower costs for printing and mailing. In addition, e-invoicing can be integrated with financial systems, making the accounts payable process easier to automate and improving cash flow visibility. Embedded finance Embedded finance refers to the integration of financial services into non-financial products or services. This can take many forms, such as adding payment or lending functionality to a mobile app or website, or bundling insurance or investment products into a larger offering. Embedded finance aims to make financial services more accessible for consumers by bringing them directly into the products and services they use. Emerging markets Emerging markets refer to countries that are in the process of developing their economies and are considered to be of high growth potential. These countries are often classified as being less developed than more industrialized nations and are characterized by a lower level of per capita income, less developed financial markets, and less mature political systems. Exotic currency An exotic currency is a term used to describe a currency that is not widely traded or used in international transactions. These currencies are typically from smaller or less developed countries, and may be less liquid or more volatile than major currencies. Examples of exotic currencies are the Brazilian Real (BRL), South African Rand (ZAR), Mexican Peso (MXN). Turkish Lira (TRY), Indian Rupee (INR) and Russian Ruble. Exchange rate An exchange rate is the price at which one currency can be exchanged for another currency. It is the value of one currency in terms of another currency, and is determined by the supply and demand for the two currencies in the foreign exchange market. < PREVIOUS NEXT >

< BACK KNOWLEDGE BASE Grain Glossary Get an overview of financial terms and their definitions. ALL A A B B C C D D E E F F G G H H I I K K L L M M N N O O P P Q Q R R S S T T U U V V W W X X Z Z Hedger Hedgers are investors or financial institutions that engage in financial transactions to reduce the risk of potential losses on assets. Hedging involves taking offsetting positions in financial instruments to mitigate the impact of price movements on the underlying asset. There are many different ways that investors and financial institutions can hedge their risks, depending on their specific needs and the nature of the underlying asset. Some common hedging strategies include the use of financial derivatives such as options and futures, as well as the use of diversification and portfolio optimization techniques. Historical Volatility Historical volatility refers to the fluctuations in the price of a security over a specific period of time. Calculated by taking the standard deviation of the natural logarithm of the asset's price over a specified number of trading days. The higher the historical volatility, the greater the price fluctuations of the asset. Historical volatility can be used to help predict future volatility and risk, but it is important to note that past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. < PREVIOUS NEXT >

< BACK KNOWLEDGE BASE Grain Glossary Get an overview of financial terms and their definitions. ALL A A B B C C D D E E F F G G H H I I K K L L M M N N O O P P Q Q R R S S T T U U V V W W X X Z Z D Day Count Convention The day count convention is a standardized method for calculating the number of days between two dates in a given year. For financial instruments such as bonds, loans, and derivatives, day count conventions determine the number of days of interest accrual. Delta In finance, delta is a measure of how sensitive an option's price is to changes in the underlying asset's price. It is a Greek letter used in options pricing formulas to represent the amount by which the price of an option is expected to change in response to a $1 change in the price of the underlying asset. Delta is typically expressed as a decimal number between 0 and 1 for call options, and between 0 and -1 for put options. Developed Markets The developed markets are those with advanced economies and well-developed financial systems. Generally, these countries have high per capita incomes and well-developed financial markets. Japan, the United States, Canada, and Western European countries are examples of developed markets. Discrete Hedging Discrete hedging is a risk management strategy that involves taking specific, individual positions in financial instruments to offset losses from other positions. Unlike continuous or ongoing hedging strategies, such as dynamic hedging, discrete hedging involves specific trades in response to specific risks or events. For example, a company might use discrete hedging to protect against a potential loss from an upcoming foreign currency payment by buying a forward contract or currency option. Dow Jones Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is a U.S. stock market index that consists of 30 large publicly traded companies. Stock market performance is largely influenced by the index, which is generally viewed as a leading indicator. Dollar DXY Index A U.S. Dollar Index (USDX, DXY, DX, or, informally, the "Dixie") measures the value of the dollar relative to a basket of foreign currencies, often referred to as a basket of U.S. trading partners' currencies. Direct Quotation Direct quotation is where the cost of one unit of foreign currency is given in units of local currency, whereas indirect quotation is where the cost of one unit of local currency is given in units of foreign currency. < PREVIOUS NEXT >

< BACK KNOWLEDGE BASE Grain Glossary Get an overview of financial terms and their definitions. ALL A A B B C C D D E E F F G G H H I I K K L L M M N N O O P P Q Q R R S S T T U U V V W W X X Z Z Z Zero Coupon Bond A zero-coupon bond is a type of bond that does not pay periodic interest to the bondholder. Instead, the bond is issued at a discount to its face value, and the bondholder receives the face value of the bond at maturity. The difference between the purchase price and the face value represents the return to the bondholder, which is the equivalent of the interest that would have been paid out in periodic coupons. < PREVIOUS NEXT >

< BACK KNOWLEDGE BASE Grain Glossary Get an overview of financial terms and their definitions. ALL A A B B C C D D E E F F G G H H I I K K L L M M N N O O P P Q Q R R S S T T U U V V W W X X Z Z K Knock-in Option A knock-in option is a type of option that becomes active or "knocks in" to the market only when the price of the underlying asset reaches a predetermined trigger price. Until the trigger price is reached, the option remains dormant and has no value. Knock out Option A knock-out option is a type of option that becomes inactive or "knocks out" of the market when the price of the underlying asset reaches a predetermined trigger price. When the trigger price is reached, the option is automatically exercised, and the trader either receives a payout or incurs a loss, depending on the terms of the option. Kantox Kantox is a multinational fintech company that offers Currency Management Automation software for corporate clients. Their software automates the pre-trade, trade, and post-trade stages of the corporate foreign exchange workflow. < PREVIOUS NEXT >

< BACK KNOWLEDGE BASE Grain Glossary Get an overview of financial terms and their definitions. ALL A A B B C C D D E E F F G G H H I I K K L L M M N N O O P P Q Q R R S S T T U U V V W W X X Z Z < PREVIOUS NEXT >

< BACK KNOWLEDGE BASE Grain Glossary Get an overview of financial terms and their definitions. ALL A A B B C C D D E E F F G G H H I I K K L L M M N N O O P P Q Q R R S S T T U U V V W W X X Z Z < PREVIOUS NEXT >

< BACK KNOWLEDGE BASE Grain Glossary Get an overview of financial terms and their definitions. ALL A A B B C C D D E E F F G G H H I I K K L L M M N N O O P P Q Q R R S S T T U U V V W W X X Z Z M Market Maker A market maker is a firm or individual that buys or sells securities at any time with the goal of providing liquidity to the market and facilitating trade. Market makers typically hold an inventory of securities that they buy and sell, and they provide quotes to buyers and sellers using their capital and liquidity. Market makers play a crucial role in facilitating price discovery and trade execution by providing a source of demand and supply for securities. Market makers may operate on exchanges or in the over-the-counter (OTC) market. Market Taker A market taker buys or sells securities by accepting the price quoted by market makers or other traders. By contrast to market makers, who can buy and sell securities at any time and provide quotes to the market, market takers are passive participants who rely on quotes provided by others in order to execute trades. Market takers do not provide liquidity to the market in the same way that market makers do, but they can benefit from the liquidity provided by market makers and other traders by being able to quickly and easily buy and sell securities at quoted prices. Market takers may also be referred to as "buyers" and "sellers," depending on whether they are buying or selling securities. Major currency A major currency is a term used to describe a currency that is widely traded and used in international transactions. Major currencies are typically from economically and politically stable countries, and are considered to be relatively liquid and stable compared to other currencies. Mark to Market Mark to market (MTM) is a method of measuring the fair value of accounts that can fluctuate over time, such as assets and liabilities. Mark to market aims to provide a realistic appraisal of an institution's or company's current financial situation based on current market conditions. Monetary Assets A monetary asset is one that is readily convertible into money, such as cash on hand, bank deposits, investment accounts, accounts receivable (AR), and notes receivable. Midmarket Exchange Rate The midmarket exchange rate (sometimes called the interbank or middle rate) is the midpoint between any two currencies' buy and sell prices. As the demand for and supply of a currency is constantly changing, the mid-market rate is also constantly changing. < PREVIOUS NEXT >

< BACK KNOWLEDGE BASE Grain Glossary Get an overview of financial terms and their definitions. ALL A A B B C C D D E E F F G G H H I I K K L L M M N N O O P P Q Q R R S S T T U U V V W W X X Z Z A At The Money (ATM) In finance, an option is at the money if the current market price of its underlying asset equals its strike price. Because the underlying asset cannot be bought or sold at a price other than the current market price, at-the-money options have no intrinsic value. Accounts payable A company's accounts payable is the amount of money it owes to its creditors for goods or services it has received, but has not yet paid for. In the context of accounting, accounts payable is classified as a liability, as it represents a company's obligation to pay off its debts. It is recorded in a company's balance sheet under the category of current liabilities, along with other debts and financial obligations that are due within the next year. Appreciation in Currency A currency appreciation in the currency market refers to an increase in the value of one currency relative to another. Simultaneously, the currency appreciation benefits importers as they have to pay less in domestic currency for imported goods. Alt 21 Alt 21 is a digital financial platform designed to let individuals and businesses hedge currency risks. The company's platform offers customizable forex hedging software including options and forwards with real-time rates for pricing in multiple currencies, enabling banks, credit unions, and corporate treasury departments to automate their forex hedging processes and deliver tailor-made financial services. Actual/360 A day count convention is used for calculating interest accrued on Treasury bills and other money market instruments . Uses actual number of days in a month and 360 days in a year for calculating interest payments. < PREVIOUS NEXT >

< BACK KNOWLEDGE BASE Grain Glossary Get an overview of financial terms and their definitions. ALL A A B B C C D D E E F F G G H H I I K K L L M M N N O O P P Q Q R R S S T T U U V V W W X X Z Z F Federal Funds Rate The federal funds rate is the interest rate at which banks lend and borrow overnight balances from each other, known as federal funds, in the U.S. The federal funds rate is an important benchmark for short-term interest rates in the U.S. financial market, and is used as a reference rate for various financial products, such as adjustable-rate mortgages, credit card loans, and small business loans. Fintech The term fintech refers to the use of technology to provide financial services. It can include everything from robo-advisors to mobile banking apps. Fintech is constantly evolving and has the potential to disrupt traditional financial systems by providing more efficient and accessible financial services. Floor In finance, a floor refers to a minimum that cannot be dropped below. An interest rate floor means that a loan is not subject to any other contingent interest rates. Regardless of market conditions, a price floor prevents an item's price from falling below a certain limit. Forward Points Forward points in finance refers to the amount added to or subtracted from the current spot rate of a currency to determine the forward exchange rate for a future delivery date. The forward exchange rate determines the rate at which a currency can be exchanged for another at a future date, based on an agreement made on the spot date. In addition to accounting for the time value of money, forward points are used to correct for differences in interest rates between the currencies being exchanged. The size of the forward point will depend on the difference between the interest rates of the two currencies and the time until the forward contract is set to expire. Foreign exchange (FX) Foreign exchange (FX) refers to the buying and selling of currencies on the foreign exchange market. The foreign exchange market is a global decentralized market for the trading of currencies, and is the largest financial market in the world. Foreign exchange (FX) option A foreign exchange (FX) option is a financial contract that gives the holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell a specified currency at a predetermined exchange rate on or before a certain date. It is a type of derivative instrument that is used to hedge against the risk of fluctuations in exchange rates. Foreign Exchange (FX) Hedging FX hedging is a risk management strategy used by companies to protect themselves from potential losses resulting from changes in currency exchange rates. FX hedging involves buying and selling financial instruments, such as forwards, options, and futures, to offset potential currency exposures in order to minimize the impact of exchange rate fluctuations on a company's financial statements. The goal of FX hedging is to reduce or eliminate the risk of loss due to currency movements, allowing companies to better manage their financial risk and focus on their core business operations. Foreign Exchange (FX) Swap An FX swap is a foreign exchange derivative that allows two parties to exchange an agreed amount of one currency for another currency at a specified rate, on a specified date, and then reverse the trade at a later date. The two legs of the trade are carried out simultaneously for a fixed amount of time, and then reversed later. FX swaps are usually used to hedge currency risk or obtain financing in a different currency. FX swaps are commonly used by banks and other financial institutions, but are also used by companies and individuals to manage their foreign exchange exposures. Foreign exchange (FX) risk - exchange rate risk Foreign exchange (FX) risk is the risk that a company or investor will incur losses due to fluctuations in exchange rates. It is a type of market risk that can impact the value of assets, liabilities, and cash flows denominated in different currencies. Forward Forwards are financial derivatives that allow two parties to exchange assets at a specified price at a specific future date. Contracts are customized to the needs of the parties involved, and terms include the type of asset, the quantity of the asset, and the delivery date. Forwards are often used to hedge against currency risk, commodity price risk, or interest rate risk. In a forward contract, one party agrees to buy the asset at the agreed-upon price on a specific date from the other party. The other party agrees to sell the asset at that price on that date. The forward contract is not traded on an exchange, and the terms of the contract are not standardized. The terms are negotiated between the two parties, and the contract is usually customized to meet their specific needs. Although forward contracts are similar to futures contracts, they differ in some important ways. A futures contract is standardized and traded on an exchange, whereas a forward contract is customized and traded over the counter. Additionally, futures contracts have margin requirements and are marked to market daily, whereas forwards do not. Foreign Exchange (FX) forward contract FX forwards are contracts between clients and their bank, or non-bank provider, to exchange currencies at a set rate on a future date. Contract pricing is determined by the exchange spot price, interest rate differentials between the two currencies, and the length of the contract, which is determined by the buyer and seller. Future Futures contracts are financial derivatives that obligate the buyer or seller to purchase or sell an asset at a predetermined price at a future date. The terms of futures contracts, including the quantity and quality of the assets, the delivery date, and the price, are all determined in advance. Futures contracts are standardized and traded on exchanges. Futures contracts are used to hedge against price risk, or to speculate on the price movements of an asset. The buyer and seller of a futures contract are required to put up a margin, which is a small percentage of the value of the contract. The margin is used to cover any potential losses on the contract. Functional currency A functional currency is the currency of the primary economic environment in which an entity operates. It is the currency in which an entity primarily generates and expends cash, and the currency in which it primarily holds assets and liabilities. For a business, the functional currency is typically the currency of the country in which the business is headquartered. The functional currency is used to determine the appropriate exchange rate to use when translating the financial statements of an entity into a different currency. The functional currency is also known as accounting currency. FX Translation Currency translation is the process of converting one currency in terms of another, often in the context of the financial results of a parent company's foreign subsidiaries into its functional currency. FX Swap In a foreign currency swap, two foreign parties agree to swap interest payments on a loan made in one currency for interest payments on a loan made in another currency. Foreign currency swaps can also involve exchanging principal. When the agreement ends, this will be exchanged back. In most cases, however, notional principal is just used to calculate interest and is not actually exchanged. Floating Exchange Rate In a floating exchange rate system, the currency price of a nation is set according to supply and demand relative to other currencies. A fixed exchange rate, on the other hand, is determined entirely or predominantly by the government. FX Forward Transaction The FX Forward Deal is a foreign exchange transaction based on a foreign exchange rate agreed by the buyer and seller under a foreign exchange contract, delivered on a specified date after the second working day of the transaction, in most cases. FX Netting Netting FX (or Forex Netting ) involves offsetting receivables and payables in one currency with receivables and payables in the same currency. As currency rates move, FX gains (losses) on one position should be offset by FX losses (gains) on the other. Foreign Transaction Fee A foreign transaction fee is a charge assessed by a financial institution to a consumer who uses an electronic payment card to make a purchase in a foreign currency. Foreign transaction fees usually apply to card purchases made in foreign countries while traveling, but they can also apply to purchases made online from your home country where the vendor is foreign and processes the transaction in its local currency. FX Gain / FX Loss An FX gain or loss is reflected in the income statement as a change in value of a foreign exchange-denominated transaction. A sales transaction creates a foreign exchange gain (loss) when the foreign currency appreciates (depreciates) against the company's home currency. Fedwire Fedwire is a real-time gross settlement funds transfer system operated by the United States Federal Reserve Banks that allows financial institutions to transfer funds electronically between the system's more than 9,289 participants (as of March 19, 2009). Upon receiving the proper wiring instructions from the receiving bank, the sending bank can initiate transfers. < PREVIOUS NEXT >

< BACK KNOWLEDGE BASE Grain Glossary Get an overview of financial terms and their definitions. ALL A A B B C C D D E E F F G G H H I I K K L L M M N N O O P P Q Q R R S S T T U U V V W W X X Z Z G Gamma A gamma is a measure of how sensitive the delta of an option is to changes in the price of the underlying asset, used in options pricing formulas to represent the amount by which the delta of an option is expected to change in response to a $1 change in the price of the underlying asset. Gamma is typically expressed as a decimal number, and it reflects the impact that changes in the price of the underlying asset can have on the delta of an option. Government Bond A government bond is a debt security issued by the government to raise capital. Due to the fact that government bonds are backed by the full faith and credit of the issuing government, they are considered a safe investment. Greeks in Finance Variables used to assess risk in the options market are commonly referred to as "the Greeks." A Greek symbol represents each risk. Greek variables result from imperfect assumptions or relationships between the option and another underlying variable. Greek values, such as delta, theta, and others, are used by traders to assess options risk. G10 Currencies The G10 currenc ies are a group of selected major currencies that are used in international marketplaces. The name of the group originated from a meeting of finance ministers from the G10 nations on the 10th of September of 1975. The G10 currencies are: United States Dollar (USD), Euro (EUR), Pound Sterling (GBP), Japanese Yen (JPY), Australian Dollar (AUD), New Zealand Dollar (NZD), Canadian Dollar (CAD), Swiss Franc (CHF), Norwegian Krone (NOK), Swedish Krona (SEK). < PREVIOUS NEXT >