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Reference

Glossary

The language of markets, defined plainly — the terms our coverage uses and what they actually mean.

I

Index
A rules-based measure of a group of assets, such as the S&P 500 or FTSE 100. Most are weighted by market capitalisation, so the largest constituents dominate the reading.
Interest Rate
The cost of borrowing money. The policy rate set by a central bank anchors the rates throughout an economy, from bond yields to mortgages.
IPO
The first sale of a company's shares to the public, after which they trade on an exchange.