Investment and Finance

The Chicago Board of Trade is an exchange where grain, gold, and treasury Bond futures and options are traded. Also the Chicago Board Options Exchange is an exchange where stock options, equity LEAPS, index options, and interest rate options are traded. Also the Chicago Mercantile Exchange is an exchange where financial futures, foreign currency futures, commodity futures, and futures options are traded.

A basis point is One hundredth of a percent 0.01%. It is used to measure changes in or differences between yields or interest rates.

The American Stock Exchange known as the AMEX is the second largest stock exchange in the U.S. The largest is the New York Stock Exchange NYSE. Stocks and bonds traded on the American Stock Exchange tend to be those of smaller companies than on the NYSE. Some index options and interest rate options trading also occurs on the American Stock Exchange.

A American Depositary Share (ADS) is a share issued under an American Depositary Receipt agreement which is actually traded.

A credit rating is a published ranking based on detailed financial analysis by a credit bureau. It includes a person or entity's financial history as it relates to its ability to meet debt obligations. The highest or best rating is usually AAA, and the lowest or worst rating is a D. Banks use this information to decide whether to approve a loan or not. A published ranking, based on detailed financial analysis by a credit bureau, of one's financial history, specifically as it relates to one's ability to meet debt obligations. The highest rating is usually AAA, and the lowest is D. Lenders use this information to decide whether to approve a loan

Each American Depositary Receipt (ADR)can represent one or more than one or a fraction of the underlying shares. The relationship between the American Depositary Receipt and the Ordinary share is referred to as the ratio. Many American Depositary Receipt programs are established with a 1:1 ratio meaning one underlying share equals one depositary share. Some American Depositary Receipt programs have ratios ranging from 100,000:1 to 1:100.

American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) can be found on the New York Stock Exchange as well as on the Nasdaq. American Depositary Receipts also trade Over the Counter. Brokers can access information about over the counter securities through the National Quotation Bureau's Pink Sheets or the over the counter bulletin board.

For the current year, the dollar amount for determining the maximum account balance in an employee stock ownership plan subject to a 5 year distribution period has increased to $1,066,000, while the dollar amount used to determine the lengthening of the 5 year distribution period has increased to $205,000.

For 2013, the annual benefit for a participant under a defined benefit plan cannot exceed the lesser of: 100% of the participant's average compensation for his or her highest 3 consecutive calendar years or $205,000. For 2014, the annual benefit for a participant under a defined benefit plan cannot exceed the lesser of: 100% of the participant's average compensation for his or her highest 3 consecutive calendar years or $210,000.