Is a type of investment account where investment advisory services are included to help a client formulate and implement investment purchases and strategies. These accounts will also usually incur an asset-based fee which includes the cost of operational transactions and portfolio management expenses.

Algorithmic trading is a process for executing orders utilizing automated and pre-programmed trading instructions to account for variables such as price, timing and volume. An algorithm is a set of directions for solving a problem. Computer algorithms send small portions of the full order to the market over time.

Is an individual or firm that acts as an intermediary between an investor and a securities exchange. Securities exchanges only accept orders from individuals or firms who are members of that exchange, individual traders and investors need the services of exchange members. Brokers provide that service and are compensated either through commissions, fees or through being paid by the exchange itself.

A commission is a service charge assessed by a broker or investment advisor for providing investment advice or handling purchases and sales of securities for a client. It can be a percentage of the returns obtained in a certain time or a fixed amount of money.

An individual who commits money to investment products with the expectation of financial return.

Leverage is the use of debt (borrowed capital) to undertake an investment. The result is to multiply the potential returns from the initial investment. At the same time, leverage will also multiply the potential downside risk in case the investment does not pan out.

A portfolio is a collection of financial investments like stocks, bonds, commodities, cash, and cash equivalents, including closed-end funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). An individual may choose to hold and manage your portfolio yourself, or you may allow a money manager, financial advisor, or another finance professional to manage your portfolio.

Is the money made or lost on an investment over some period. A return can be expressed nominally as the change in dollar value of an investment over time or as a percentage derived from the ratio of profit to investment.

Is an evaluation of an individual’s willingness and ability to take risks. A risk profile is important for determining a proper investment asset allocation for a portfolio.

Is a statistical measure of the dispersion of returns for a given security or market index. In most cases, the higher the volatility, the riskier the security. Is often measured as either the standard deviation or variance between returns from that same security or market index.