Glossary

Risk

An investment is normally considered to be risky if there is a reasonable chance that its value will vary significantly in the future. For example, an investment in shares is more risky than an investment in a bank term deposit. The value of shares may fall below the price paid for them while the value of bank deposits generally do not. High risk investments should only be taken on with long term intentions. You would expect a high long-term return to compensate for high risk.

Glossary: investment
A way to use your money to make it grow.
Glossary: shares
Shares and equities refer to the same thing - a share in the ownership of a company and entitlement to any distributions (eg dividends).
Glossary: term deposit
Money deposited for a fixed term - usually between 30 days and five years. If you want your money back before the term is up you may have to forego a portion of your interest as a penalty.

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Here you'll find explanations of the many financial terms used throughout the Sorted website.