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Charted Financial Analyst (CFA)
A professional designation given by the CFA Institute (formerly AIMR) that measures the competence and integrity of financial analysts. Candidates are required to pass three levels of exams covering areas such as accounting, economics, ethics, money management and security analysis. Before you can become a CFA charterholder, you must have four years of investment/financial career experience. To enroll in the program, you must hold a bachelor’s degree. The CFA... -
Closed-End Fund
Closed-end funds, or “CEFs” issue a fixed number of shares through an initial public offering and often use leverage to magnify their performance. Closed-end funds are bought and sold just like stocks and their share price often trades at a noticeable discount or premium to the fund’s net asset value. (Source: ETF Guide) Note- ETF Model Solutions uses CEFs on a limited basis in certain of our allocations. -
Collective Investment Fund (CIF)
Collective Investment Fund (CIF) is also called a Collective Fund or Collective Investment Trust (CIT) is a bank maintained fund that is exempt from registration under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. Collective Funds and mutual funds look and act very much alike. The main difference is the regulating body. Banking regulations govern Collective Funds and the SEC governs mutual funds. As a result Collective Funds are only available... -
Commodities
Commodities are bulk goods and raw materials, such as grains, metals, livestock, oil, cotton, coffee, sugar, and cocoa, that are used to produce consumer products. The term also describes financial products, such as currency or stock and bond indexes. Commodities are bought and sold on the cash market, and they are traded on the futures exchanges in the form of futures contracts. Commodity prices are driven by supply and... -
Convertibles (Convertible Securities)
Convertibles (Convertible Securities) are usually bonds or preferred shares that can be converted into common stock. Convertibles are most often associated with convertible bonds, which allow bond holders to convert their creditor position to that of an equity holder at an agreed upon price. Other convertible securities can include notes and preferred shares, which can possess many different traits. Convertibles are ideal for investors demanding greater potential for appreciation...
