Units of ownership interest issued by companies to investors to raise finance. Shares normally have no maturity date. They may be bought and sold on the relevant stock exchange at their prevailing price in the market. Also known as equity/equities.

The risk associated with a specific (individual) company (and hence its shares).

The action taken by active investors who select specific shares for their portfolio with the aim of achieving a greater return than the overall share market.

Financial investments where the return investors make is linked to a formula based on specific factors (e.g. the performance of an index, perhaps subject to a minimum and a maximum return). These products can be complex and risky.

The risk associated with the overall market for shares (stock market) and which cannot be diversified away.