A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

X

Y

Z

W

Waiting Period

Time during which the SEC reviews a company's registration statement.The company may publish a preliminary prospectus during the waiting period.

Wall Street

A reference to the financial services industry that is characterized by the bigger companies in regard to assets, revenues, and employees.

Warrant

A security that allows an investor to buy a proportionate amount of stock at some specified future date at a specified price.

Wash

Gains equal losses.

Watch List

Money managers and others have watch lists of securities and other investments that contain the names of companies that have exhibited problems. These stocks are "watched" more closely than the stocks of companies that haven't exhibited the same weaknesses.

Weak Dollar

A depreciated dollar in relation to other currencies. It takes more dollars to buy the same amount of another currency.

Weak Market

When sellers exceed buyers and securities prices are trending down.

Well Diversified Portfolio

A portfolio that holds a variety of securities so the risk of large losses is minimized. Different market capitalizations, geographies, asset classes, etc.

Wholesaler

A financial services firm that markets its services to other financial services firms and not direct to the public.

Wilshire 5000 stock index

A stock index that is the most comprehensive of all U.S. indexes, encompassing small, mid, and large-cap stocks.

Wire House

Usually major brokerage firms that are members of one or more national exchanges and have national branches that are connected by an electronic communications system.

Wrap Account

An account that bills wrap fees.

Wrap Fee

A fixed fee that includes portfolio management, custody of assets, and trading.