Glossary

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

Guaranteed Investment Contracts GICs

Financial Term

Guaranteed Investment Contracts (GICs) are fixed-term investment vehicles offered by insurance companies or banks to investors looking for a secure and stable investment option. GICs are low-risk investments that provide a guaranteed rate of return over a set period of time, typically ranging from six months to 10 years.

GICs are typically sold to institutional investors, such as pension funds, retirement plans, and corporations, as a way to earn a predictable income stream while protecting against market volatility. They are also popular among individual investors who prioritize safety and stability in their investment portfolio.

GICs are similar to certificates of deposit (CDs) in that they are both fixed-income investments that offer a guaranteed rate of return. The key difference between the two is that GICs are issued by insurance companies or banks, while CDs are issued by banks and credit unions.

GICs are often used in financial industry as a tool for managing risk and diversifying investment portfolios. Because GICs provide a steady, predictable return, they can help investors protect their principal and generate a consistent stream of income, even during uncertain economic times. This is particularly valuable for investors who have low risk tolerances or who are approaching retirement and need a reliable income stream for their retirement years.

Overall, GICs are a useful investment option for those seeking a safe and predictable return on their investment, particularly in today*s volatile economic climate. They are a valuable tool for managing risk and diversifying investment portfolios, and can provide investors with a reliable income stream over the long-term.

More Glossary Terms Beginning with G

G20
The G-20 is an informal forum that promotes open and constructive discussion between industrial and emerging-market countries on key issues related to global economic stability. By contributing to the strengthening of the international financial architecture and providing opportunities for dialogue on national policies, international co-operation, and international financial institutions, the G-20

Economy Term Letter: G
G7
A group of seven industrialized nations including Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom, and the United States.

Economy Term Letter: G
G8
The finance ministers and central bank governors of the group of eight countries consisting of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, U.S. and U.K.

Economy Term Letter: G
GAAP
Generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession and that are appl

Financial Term Letter: G
GAAP Combined Ratio
The sum of the loss and LAE ratio, the underwriting expense ratio and, where applicable, the ratio of dividends to policyholders to net premiums earned. A combined ratio under 100% generally indicates an underwriting profit. A combined ratio over 100% generally indicates an underwriting loss.

Insurance Term Letter: G
GAFO Retail
GAFO represents sales at stores that sell merchandise normally sold in department stores. GAFO includes the following kinds of retail businesses: General merchandise stores. Clothing and clothing accessories stores. Furniture and home furnishings stores. Electronics and appliance stores. Sporting goods, hobby, book, and music stores. Office supplies, stationery, and gift stores.

Economy Term Letter: G
Gal
U.S. customary liquid gallon, measure of liquid capacity, legally defined as 231 cubic inches is equal to 3.78541 litres

Energy Term Letter: G
Galvanizing
The process of coating iron or steel with rust-resistant zinc. Iron & Steel Industry Operating Statistics

Manufacturing Term Letter: G
Gene
A gene is a unit of information that specifies the structure of one or more gene products. Collectively, genes determine the precise composition of all molecules needed for maintenance of the functions of life: reproduction, development, organization, growth and metabolism. Genes are often referred to as units of heredity because they pass on the information necessary for all characteristics of an

Health Care Term Letter: G
Gene Products
The products of genes are the thousands of different chemical structures, called molecules, needed for development of all cells. Most gene products are proteins. Most proteins are enzymes, molecules that can carry out work such as digesting and utilizing food for energy, signaling the cell to produce other gene products in response to changing conditions in the body, and controlling cell growth. W

Health Care Term Letter: G
Genomics
method of identifying target genes. The study, including sequencing, of molecules that carry an organisms genetic code (nucleic acids, DNA and RNA).

Health Care Term Letter: G
Genotype
the DNA gene sequence makeup that distinguishes one type of organism from another.

Health Care Term Letter: G

More in this Category

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses
fees and expenses charged by other investment companies in which the Fund invests a portion of its assets.

Financial Term
Acquisition
A business acquisition. The acquiring company records at its cost the acquired assets less liabilities assumed. The reported income of an acquiring company includes the operations of the acquired company from the date of acquisition.

Financial Term
Acquisition Proposal
means any merger, amalgamation, take-over bid, tender offer, arrangement, recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution, share exchange, material sale of assets (or any lease, long term supply agreement or other arrangement having the same economic effect as a material sale of assets) representing greater than 20% of the fair market value of the Arrangement, any sale of more than 20% of any class of

Financial Term
Adjusted Average Cardmember Loans
Represents average cardmember loans on an owned or managed basis, as applicable, excluding the impact of deferred card fees, net of deferred direct acquisition costs of cardmember loans on an owned or managed basis, as applicable.

Financial Term
ADR American Depositary Receipt
represents ownership in the shares of a non-U.S. company that trades in U.S. financial markets. ADRs enable U.S. investors to buy shares in foreign companies without the inconveniences of cross-border & cross-currency transactions. ADRs carry prices in US dollars, pay dividends in US dollars, and can be traded like the shares of US-based companies.

Financial Term
ADS American Depositary Share
represents ownership in the shares of a non-U.S. company that trades in U.S. financial markets. American Depositary Share representing one underlying Ordinary Share. ADS enable U.S. investors to buy shares in foreign companies without the inconveniences of cross-border & cross-currency transactions. ADS carry prices in US dollars, pay dividends in US dollars, and can be traded like the shares of U

Financial Term
Advised Lines of Credit
An authorization which specifies the maximum amount of a credit facility the Firm has made available to an obligor on a revolving but non-binding basis. The borrower receives written or oral advice of this facility. The Firm may cancel this facility at any time.

Financial Term
AICPA
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants

Financial Term
Allowance For Credit Losses
includes the allowance for loan and lease losses and the reserve for unfunded lending commitments, represents managements estimate of probable losses inherent in the Corporations lending activities. The allowance for loan and lease losses and the reserve for unfunded lending commitments exclude amounts for loans and unfunded lending commitments accounted for under the fair value option as the fair

Financial Term
Allowance For Loan and Lease Losses
The allowance for loan and lease losses represents the estimated probable credit losses in funded consumer and commercial loans and leases while the reserve for unfunded lending commitments, including standby letters of credit (SBLCs) and binding unfunded loan commitments, represents estimated probable credit losses on these unfunded credit instruments based on utilization assumptions. Credit expo

Financial Term
Alt-A Mortgage Loans
Alt-A loans are generally higher in credit quality than subprime loans but have characteristics that would disqualify the borrower from a traditional prime loan. Alt-A lending characteristics may include one or more of the following: (I) limited documentation; (II) high combined-loan-to-value ("CLTV") ratio; (III) loans secured by non-owner occupied properties; or (IV) debt-to-income ratio above n

Financial Term
Amortization
A charge against the companys earnings that represents the write off of intangible assets over the projected life of the assets. Cash Flow

Financial Term