What is the Vacancy Rate? The vacancy rate is how many available dwellings are on the market for rent within a specified geographic region. The number is presented as a percentage and is often defined within a city, town, province, or state. Vacancy rates can also apply to commercial/office space (storefronts or high-rises) and reflect…
What is Voodoo Economics? Voodoo economics is the term George H.W. Bush used to describe U.S. President Ronald Reagan’s economic policies before becoming his vice president. Bush invented the term, which was deemed derogatory, in 1980. The former vice president was of the opinion that Reagan’s supply-side policies were not only going to fall short…
What is a Vulture Capitalist? A vulture capitalist is a type of investor that scavenges off distressed companies for profit, like a vulture scavenges off the dead bodies of animals. (Vulture capitalists typically receive criticism because their tactics involve the targeting of individuals and/or companies who are already experiencing financial difficulties!) Hedge funds and private…
What is Inventory Turnover? Inventory turnover, or the inventory turnover ratio, is the number of times a business sells and replaces its stock of goods during a given period. It considers the cost of goods sold, relative to its average inventory for a year or for any set period of time. A high inventory turnover generally means…
What is a Divestiture? A divestiture (or divestment) is the disposal of company’s assets or a business unit through a sale, exchange, closure, or bankruptcy. A partial or full disposal can happen, depending on the reason why management opted to sell or liquidate its business’ resources. Examples of divestitures include selling intellectual property rights, corporate…
What is a Corporation? A corporation is a legal entity created by individuals, stockholders, or shareholders, with the purpose of operating for profit. Corporations are allowed to enter into contracts, sue and be sued, own assets, remit federal and state taxes, and borrow money from financial institutions. The creation of a corporation involves a legal…
What is Amalgamation? In corporate finance, an amalgamation is the combination of two or more companies into a larger single company. In accounting, an amalgamation, or consolidation, refers to the combination of financial statements. For example, a group of companies reports their financials on a consolidated basis, which includes the individual statements of several smaller…
What is a Stock? When a person owns stock in a company, the individual is called a shareholder and is eligible to claim part of the company’s residual assets and earnings (should the company ever have to dissolve). A shareholder may also be referred to as a stockholder. The terms “stock,” “shares,” and “equity” are…
