Every major financial choice begins with a simple question: Does this investment create value? Understanding ROI equips you to compare options, assess potential outcomes, and allocate capital with confidence. In this guide, you’ll learn how to determine ROI by analyzing scenarios that account for initial cost, risk appetite, and an investment’s projected performance. Join over…
What is the Internal Rate of Return (IRR)? The Internal Rate of Return (IRR) is the discount rate that makes the net present value (NPV) of a project zero. In other words, it is the expected compound annual rate of return that will be earned on a project or investment. When calculating IRR, expected cash…
What is a Short Rate Model? A short rate model is a mathematical model used in the evaluation of interest rate derivatives to illustrate the evolution of interest rates over time by determining the evolution of the short rate r(t) over time. In short rate modeling, the stochastic state variable is the spot rate at…
What is a Unicorn? In finance, “unicorn” is a term that describes a privately-owned startup with a valuation of over $1 billion. The term was introduced by venture capital investor, Aileen Lee, in 2013 to describe rare tech startups that were valued at more than $1 billion. The phenomenon of unicorns is quite controversial. Although…
What is Replacement Cost vs Actual Cash Value? For individuals looking to take out homeowner insurance, they need to know the difference between replacement cost vs actual cash value. The terms refer to the coverage options available to homeowners. When buying a homeowner insurance plan, homeowners are interested in paying the lowest possible premiums while…
What is Media for Equity? Media for equity is an alternative investment model used in the world of venture capital. The media for equity model is different from conventional methods of financing due to the fact that it does not involve the direct funding of a startup. Instead, a startup obtains extensive media coverage (i.e.,…
What is REIT vs REOC? As an investor, it is important to know the differences between REIT vs REOC. A real estate investment trust (REIT) and a real estate operating company (REOC) are types of real estate companies that trade in a public exchange market but come with functional and operating differences. A REIT is a…
What is the Envy Ratio? In private equity, the envy ratio is a ratio that shows the price paid by investors in relation to the price paid by the management team for their respective shares of the company’s common equity. In other words, the envy ratio indicates how much the company’s managers spent relative to…
What are the Risk Factors of Investing in REITs? In this article, learn about the different risk factors of investing in REITs. Real estate investment trusts (REITs) refer to investment equities that investors invest in to increase the returns on their portfolio. REITs own and manage various real estate properties such as residential apartments, office…
What is the Fundamental Law of Active Management? Developed by Richard Grinold and Ronald Kahn, the Fundamental Law of Active Management states that an active manager’s productivity depends on the quality of his/her skills and, consequently, the frequency in which the skills are applied at work. The law can also be expressed in an equation….
