Financial Dictionary

Look up the terms traders use every day, from forex and CFDs to indicators and chart patterns. Pick a letter to browse its terms, then open any term to read its definition.

Terms starting with Q

  • Quantitative easing is when a central bank buys large amounts of bonds to lower long term interest rates and add money to the economy. It tends to weaken the currency and support asset prices.

  • Quantitative tightening is when a central bank shrinks its balance sheet by selling bonds or letting them mature without replacing them. It reverses quantitative easing and tends to push yields higher.

  • Quarterly earnings are the financial results a listed company reports every three months. They often cause large share price moves when they differ from forecasts.

  • A quote is the current bid and ask price for an asset. It shows the prices at which a trader can sell and buy right now.

  • The quote currency is the second currency in a pair, such as USD in EUR/USD. The price shows how much of the quote currency buys one unit of the base currency.