A person appointed to look after investors' interests for certain fixed interest securities e.g. those offered by credit unions, building societies and finance companies, and for unit trusts.

A legal document that sets out what a fund manager can do with investors' money. The deed also explains investors' rights, such as the trustees' powers to look after investors' interests.

The market place where shares are traded in companies that are listed on the exchange. The New Zealand Exchange is known as NZX. See news stories related to the NZX.

A person appointed to look after investors' interests for certain fixed income securities.

Shares are equity securities, i.e. you buy a share in a company. You may be paid regular dividends on your shares, and you have the chance of making a capital gain on your money later if you sell your shares for more than you paid for them. See news stories related to Shares. See guides related to Shares.  See reader questions and answers related to Shares.

Investments including: fixed interest and debt securities (where you lend your money to someone else to use in return for interest paid to you); and equity securities (where you buy shares in a company and may be paid a dividend by the company and have the chance of making a capital gain if

An account with a registered bank or other deposit-taking financial institution in which your money is paid interest in return for the use of your money. These accounts are fixed interest securities or debt securities i.e. you lend your money to the bank or other financial institution.

People have varying feelings about risk. Some people worry about quite small risks while others are happy taking a bigger risk. You can assess whether you have a low, medium, or high risk profile at www.sorted.org.nz.

A legal document, similar to a trust deed, that sets out what a fund manager can do with investors' money. The deed also explains investors' rights, such as the trustees' powers to look after investors' interests.

Companies and individuals who are listed on or registered with a stock exchange to take part in the activities of the stock market.

A fee you pay as an investor to have your money managed by a fund manager. Other fees can also apply e.g. an exit fee if you want to cash in your investment. Ask the person who is making the investment for you exactly what fees you will pay, and how and when they have to be paid.

A person or company or financial institution which offers investments to the public. See news stories related to Issuers. See guides related to Issuers.  See reader questions and answers related to Issuers.  

The legal term for a person who gives investment advice to a member of the public. Stockbrokers, financial planners, financial advisers, asset managers etc are investment advisers, as are some accountants and lawyers.

Money paid to you by a bank or other financial institution or other issuer in return for having the use of your money lent to them as a fixed interest or debt security. Sometimes the interest is paid at regular intervals. The interest is either paid directly to you, or it may be added to the money you have invested. The latter is called compounding. It means that you get interest on the interest. Under other arrangements interest may be paid out at the end of an agreed term.

Investments in things like foreign currency, oil, electricity or wool where you invest now on a prediction of what the commodity will sell for at a later date. Futures contracts are a way of trying to profit (or minimize loss) from future movements in prices or values, without actually buying the commodity that the contract relates to. See news stories related to Futures. See guides related to Futures. 

A payment a company makes from its profits to shareholders at a rate of a certain amount of money per share. For example, a company may decide to pay 5c per share as a dividend. If you hold 1000 shares you will be paid $50. Some companies have a scheme for dividend reinvestment. If you sign up to this your dividend is not paid in cash but reinvested in shares and your holding of shares increases. For example, the company might set a rate of $5 per share and add 10 shares to your holding rather than pay you cash. This enables you to increase your holding without brokerage costs.

Putting your money into several different investment types to reduce your risk. If one type of investment fails or doesn't do as well as you expect, not all your invested money is lost or affected. See news stories related to Diversifying. See guides related to Diversifying.  See reader questions and answers related to Diversifying.

Investments where you lend your money to a bank, other financial institution or other issuer, and are paid interest on your money. Fixed interest securities are debt securities. See news stories related to Debt Securities. See guides related to Debt Securities.  See reader questions and answers related to Debt Securities.  

A type of fixed interest or debt security where the issuer's obligation to repay investors is secured by the issuer's assets. The value of a debenture depends on the value of the issuer's assets. See news stories related to Debentures. See guides related to Debentures.  See reader questions and answers related to Debentures.  

The profit or loss you make when you sell or cash up your investment e.g. the difference between the price you pay for shares and the price you sell them for. See news stories related to Capital Gains.