Qualitative Analysis: Assessing the value of an investment by examining mainly non-numeric characteristics such as management, people, process, etc.
Quantitative (Quant) Analysis: Use of mathematical and statistical techniques to make investment decisions.
Quantitative Easing: Process by which a country’s central bank tries to stimulate the economy by increasing the amount of money in circulation. Quantitative easing is used in instances when the central bank’s interest rate cannot be lowered any further because it is zero or very close to zero. The central bank effectively prints new money and uses the new money to buy fixed interest securities from companies, usually banks. The intention is to encourage banks to increase their lending, which should eventually reduce the cost to consumers of borrowing from banks and stimulate consumer spending. However, quantitative easing may fail if institutions do not increase their lending despite the actions of the central bank. In addition, quantitative easing may lead to an over-stimulation resulting in a rapid increase in inflation over time. Quantitative easing was adopted by the central banks of several countries during the global financial crisis of 2008/2009.
Quarterly: Every three months. Usually refers to three-month periods ending 31 March, 30 June, 30 September, and 31 December.
Quartile: One-quarter of a sample. If returns of portfolios (or managers) are ranked in a league table, then, for example, a second quartile ranking indicates that 25% of portfolios performed better and 50% achieved a lower return — that is, the return was in the second quarter (or 25%) of the returns
Quick Assets Ratio: Also known as the quick ratio. A measure of the liquidity of a company.
Quorum: Minimum number of members (on an investment committee or board of trustees in the case of pension schemes) that is needed for a binding decision to be taken.
Quotation: Highest bid and lowest offer for a share.
Quoted Price: The price at which a share was late bought and sold on the stock exchange.
Quoted Shares: The shares of a company that are officially registered on a stock exchange, and shares prices are quoted on the Official List. These qualify for lower corporate tax rates and lower interest on borrowings.
Stock Market Reference (A-Z)