W-2 Form

IRS form reporting employee wages and taxes withheld annually.

W-4 Form

IRS form for employees to set tax withholding allowances.

W-8 Form

IRS form certifying foreign status to avoid U.S. tax withholding.

W-9 Form

IRS form providing TIN for tax reporting, used by contractors.

W-Shaped Recovery

Economic recovery with two declines and recoveries, resembling a W.

Wage Assignment

Deducting wages to pay debts, like child support or loans.

Wage Earner Plan (Chapter 13 Bankruptcy)

Bankruptcy plan allowing individuals to repay debts via wages over time.

Wage Expense

Cost of employee compensation, recorded on income statements.

Wage-Price Spiral

Cycle where rising wages and prices fuel inflation.

Wage Push Inflation

Inflation driven by rising wages, increasing production costs.

Waiting Period

Time before benefits, like insurance or vesting, become effective.

Waiver

Voluntary relinquishment of a right, like a lien or penalty.

Waiver of Demand

Agreement not to require immediate payment on a note or debt.

Waiver of Coinsurance Clause

Insurance provision waiving coinsurance penalty for partial losses.

Waiver of Exemption

Giving up legal protections, like asset exemptions, in bankruptcy.

Waiver of Notice

Forgoing required notification, like for shareholder meetings.

Waiver of Premium for Disability

Insurance rider waiving premiums if the policyholder becomes disabled.

Waiver of Premium for Payer Benefit

Rider waiving premiums if the payer, like a parent, dies or is disabled.

Waiver of Premium Rider

Add-on waiving insurance premiums under specific conditions, like disability.

Waiver of Restoration Premium

Waiving additional premiums to reinstate lapsed insurance policies.

Waiver of Subrogation

Insurer agreeing not to pursue third-party recovery for claims paid.

Walk-Away Lease

Lease allowing return of the asset, like a car, without further obligation.

Walk-Through Test

Audit procedure verifying financial process accuracy via step-by-step review.

Wall of Worry

Market rising despite negative sentiment or economic concerns.

Wall Street

U.S. financial markets hub, synonymous with stock trading and banking.

Wall Street Journal Prime Rate

Benchmark rate for consumer loans, based on bank prime rates.

Wallflower

Stock with low trading activity, often overlooked by investors.

Wallpaper

Worthless or low-value securities, like failed company stocks.

Walmart Effect

Economic impact of Walmart’s low prices, affecting suppliers and competitors.

Walras' Law

Economic theory stating supply equals demand across all markets.

Walrasian Market

Theoretical market where prices adjust to balance supply and demand.

Wanton Disregard

Reckless negligence, increasing financial or legal liability risks.

War Bond

Government bond issued to fund military efforts, like WWII bonds.

War Chest

Cash reserves for strategic moves, like acquisitions or defense.

War Damage Insurance

Coverage for property damage from war-related events, often limited.

War Economy

Economy mobilized for war, prioritizing defense spending and production.

War Exclusion Clause

Insurance clause excluding coverage for war-related losses.

War Risk Insurance

Specialized coverage for losses from war or political violence.

Warehouse Bond

Bond ensuring proper storage and handling of goods, like in customs.

Warehouse Financing

Loans secured by inventory or goods stored in a warehouse.

Warehouse Lending

Short-term funding for mortgage originators, secured by loans.

Warehouse Receipt

Document proving ownership of stored goods, used in financing.

Warehouse-to-Warehouse Clause

Insurance covering goods from origin to destination warehouse.

Warehouser's Liability Form

Insurance for warehouse operators covering stored goods’ damage or loss.

Warehousing

Holding assets or loans before sale, like mortgages in securitization.

Warm Calling

Contacting potential clients with prior interaction, used in financial sales.

Warm Card

Credit card recently used, signaling active accounts for fraud checks.

Warning Bulletin

Alert issued by regulators or firms about financial risks or fraud.

Warrant

Derivative giving the right to buy shares at a set price.

Warrant Coverage

Warrants issued with securities, sweetening investment deals.

Warrant Premium

Extra cost of a warrant over its intrinsic value, reflecting time value.

Warranty

Guarantee of product or service quality, impacting financial liability.

Warranty Deed

Property deed guaranteeing clear title, protecting buyers.

Warranty of Title

Seller’s assurance of clear property ownership, free of liens.

Warsaw Stock Exchange (WSE)

Poland’s main exchange, trading equities and derivatives.

Wash

Transaction with no net change in position, often to manipulate markets.

Wash-Out Round

Financing round diluting existing shareholders, often in distressed firms.

Wash Sale

Selling a security at a loss and repurchasing it within 30 days, tax-disallowed.

Wash-Sale Rule

IRS rule disallowing tax losses on wash sales to prevent abuse.

Wash Trading

Illegal trading to create false activity, inflating volume or prices.

Wassily Leontief

Economist known for input-output analysis, impacting economic modeling.

Wasting Asset

Asset with depleting value, like natural resources or options.

Wasting Trust

Trust designed to distribute assets over time, reducing principal.

Watchlist

List of securities monitored for potential investment or risk.

Water Damage Insurance

Coverage for property damage from water, excluding floods.

Water Damage Legal Liability Insurance

Coverage for liability from water damage caused to others’ property.

Water ETF

ETF investing in water-related companies, like utilities or treatment.

Water Exclusion Clause

Insurance clause excluding coverage for flood or water-related damages.

Water Quality Improvement Act of 1970

U.S. law improving water standards, impacting environmental compliance costs.

Water Rights

Legal rights to use water, affecting agriculture or energy investments.

Watercraft Insurance

Coverage for boats or watercraft, protecting against damage or liability.

Watered Stock

Overvalued stock issued above its true worth, misleading investors.

Waterfall Concept

Hierarchical payment structure, like in debt or profit distribution.

Waterfall Payment

Debt repayment prioritizing senior creditors before subordinates.

Wave

Price movement pattern in technical analysis, like Elliott Wave theory.

Weak AI

Limited AI for specific tasks, like financial chatbots or analysis tools.

Weak Dollar

Declining USD value, impacting trade and investment returns.

Weak Form Efficiency

Market hypothesis that past prices are reflected in current prices.

Weak Hands

Investors likely to sell quickly under pressure, causing volatility.

Weak Longs

Investors holding long positions but prone to selling during dips.

Weak Shorts

Short sellers likely to cover positions quickly, driving price spikes.

Weak Sister

Underperforming asset or entity in a group, dragging down performance.

Wealth

Total value of assets minus liabilities, measuring financial worth.

Wealth Added Index (WAI)

Measures wealth created for shareholders beyond required returns.

Wealth Effect

Increased spending due to perceived wealth from rising asset values.

Wealth Management

Holistic financial services for high-net-worth individuals, including investments.

Wealth Psychologist

Professional addressing psychological aspects of wealth, like spending habits.

Wealth Tax

Tax on net worth, targeting high-value assets or wealth.

Wear and Tear Exclusion

Insurance clause excluding coverage for normal deterioration or usage.

Wearable Technology

Devices like smartwatches, impacting financial apps or health insurance.

Weather Derivative

Contract paying based on weather events, used in risk management.

Weather Future

Futures contract tied to weather conditions, like temperature, for hedging.

Weather Insurance

Coverage for losses from weather events, like event cancellations.

Web 2.0

Interactive internet era, enabling fintech platforms and financial apps.

Web Syndication

Sharing financial content or data across websites, boosting reach.

Wedge

Chart pattern signaling trend reversal or continuation, like rising/falling wedges.

Wednesday Scramble

Midweek market activity spike, often tied to economic data releases.

Weekend Effect

Tendency for stock prices to behave differently on Mondays, often negative.

Weekly Chart

Price chart showing weekly data, used in technical analysis.

Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey

MBA report tracking U.S. mortgage application trends, indicating housing demand.

Weekly Premium Insurance

Insurance with premiums paid weekly, often for affordability.

Wei

Smallest unit of Ether (Ethereum), used in crypto transactions.

Weighted

Assigning varying importance to data, like in averages or indices.

Weighted Alpha

Measure of stock performance, weighted by time, for risk-adjusted returns.

Weighted Average

Average giving different weights to components, like in WACC.

Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC)

Average cost of a firm’s capital, weighted by debt and equity.

Weighted Average Cost of Equity (WACE)

Cost of equity weighted by its proportion in capital structure.

Weighted Average Coupon (WAC)

Average interest rate of a bond portfolio, weighted by face value.

Weighted Average Credit Rating

Average credit rating of a portfolio, weighted by investment size.

Weighted Average Life (WAL)

Average time until a loan or bond’s principal is repaid.

Weighted Average Loan Age (WALA)

Average age of loans in a pool, used in MBS analysis.

Weighted Average Market Capitalization

Market cap average, weighted by index components, like in S&P 500.

Weighted Average Maturity (WAM)

Average time to maturity of a bond portfolio, weighted by value.

Weighted Average Rating Factor (WARF)

Average credit risk score of a portfolio, used in structured finance.

Weighted Average Remaining Term (WART)

Average remaining term of loans or bonds, weighted by balance.

Weightless Economy

Economy driven by intangibles, like software or services, not physical goods.

Welfare

Government aid, like subsidies or benefits, supporting low-income individuals.

Welfare and Pension Plans Disclosure Act (WPPDA)

U.S. law (pre-ERISA) requiring transparency in employee benefit plans.

Welfare Economics

Study of resource allocation to maximize societal well-being.

Welfare Loss of Taxation

Economic inefficiency from taxes reducing consumer or producer surplus.

Welfare State

Government system providing extensive social benefits, like healthcare or pensions.

Wellbore

Drilled hole for oil/gas extraction, impacting energy investment costs.

Wellness Program

Employer initiatives promoting health, reducing insurance costs.

Wells Notice

SEC warning of potential enforcement action, impacting firms or individuals.

West African CFA Franc (XOF)

Currency for eight West African countries, pegged to the euro.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI)

U.S. crude oil benchmark, used in commodity trading.

Western Account

Underwriting agreement where each underwriter is responsible only for their share.

Westpac Consumer Confidence Index

Australian index measuring consumer sentiment, impacting economic forecasts.

Wet Loan

Mortgage funded before all documentation is complete, riskier for lenders.

Wharton School

Prestigious U.S. business school, known for finance and economics programs.

Whartonite

Graduate of the Wharton School, often influential in finance.

When Issued (WI)

Trading securities before official issuance, like in bond markets.

Whipsaw

Rapid price swings trapping traders, often in volatile markets.

Whisper Number

Unofficial earnings estimate by analysts, influencing stock expectations.

Whisper Stock

Stock with rumored developments, driving speculative trading.

Whistleblower

Person reporting illegal or unethical financial practices, often protected.

White Candlestick

Bullish candlestick showing a higher close than open, signaling buying.

White Collar

Professional or office-based jobs, like finance, with higher wages.

White-Collar Crime

Non-violent financial crimes, like fraud or insider trading.

White Elephant

Costly, unprofitable asset or project, draining financial resources.

White Knight

Friendly acquirer rescuing a company from a hostile takeover.

White Label Product

Product sold under a reseller’s brand, common in financial services.

White List States

States with favorable tax or regulatory environments for businesses.

White Paper

Report outlining a financial product, policy, or crypto project, like Bitcoin’s.

White Shoe Firm

Elite, established financial or law firm, often prestigious.

White Squire

Investor acquiring a stake to block a hostile takeover, less than a knight.

Whitemail

Company selling shares to friendly parties to deter takeovers.

Whitewash Resolution

Shareholder approval waiving preemptive rights, often in capital raises.

Whole Life Annuity

Annuity paying until the annuitant’s death, providing lifelong income.

Whole Life Annuity Due

Annuity paying at the start of each period until death.

Whole-Life Cost

Total cost of an asset over its life, including maintenance.

Whole Life Insurance

Permanent life insurance with fixed premiums and cash value growth.

Whole Loan

Single mortgage sold to an investor, not part of a pool.

Wholesale Banking

Banking services for large clients, like corporations or institutions.

Wholesale Energy

Bulk energy trading, like electricity or gas, impacting utility costs.

Wholesale Insurance

Insurance for groups or businesses, often through brokers.

Wholesale Money

Large-scale interbank or institutional lending, often at lower rates.

Wholesale Price Index (WPI)

Measures average price changes of wholesale goods, indicating inflation.

Wholesale Trade

Selling goods in bulk to retailers or businesses, not consumers.

Wholesaling

Real estate strategy buying properties to quickly resell for profit.

Wholly Owned Subsidiary

Company fully owned by a parent, consolidating financials.

Whoops

Slang for Washington Public Power Supply System bond default in the 1980s.

Wide Basis

Large difference between spot and futures prices, impacting hedging.

Wide Economic Moat

Sustainable competitive advantage, like brand, protecting firm profitability.

Wide-Ranging Days

Trading days with large price swings, signaling volatility.

Wide Variety

Diverse investment options, like stocks or bonds, reducing risk.

Widely Held Fixed Investment Trust (WHFIT)

Trust distributing income from fixed securities, like bonds, to investors.

Widow-and-Orphan Stock

Low-risk, stable stock, like utilities, suitable for conservative investors.

Widow Maker

High-risk trade or investment, like natural gas futures, causing losses.

Widow's Allowance

Financial support for a surviving spouse, often from estates or benefits.

Widow's Exemption

Tax or estate relief for surviving spouses, varying by jurisdiction.

Wilcoxon Test

Non-parametric statistical test, used in financial data analysis.

Wild Card Option

Option with flexible exercise terms, often in commodity markets.

Wild Card Play

High-risk investment with potential for high returns, like speculative stocks.

Wildcat Banking

Unregulated 19th-century U.S. banking, issuing private currencies, risky.

Wildcat Drilling

Exploratory drilling in unproven areas, high-risk for energy investors.

Wildcatting

Speculative exploration, like wildcat drilling, in oil or gas.

Wilder's DMI (ADX)

Technical indicator measuring trend strength and direction.

Will

Legal document specifying asset distribution after death, guiding estates.

William Cavanaugh III

Former CEO of Carolina Power & Light, influential in utilities.

William Dillard II

Founder of Dillard’s, impacting retail sector financial strategies.

William F. Sharpe

Economist behind Sharpe Ratio, influential in portfolio theory.

William H. Gross

Bond fund manager, co-founder of PIMCO, known for fixed-income strategies.

William J. O'Neil

Investor and founder of Investor’s Business Daily, known for CANSLIM strategy.

Williams %R

Momentum indicator measuring overbought/oversold conditions, like RSI.

Williams Act

U.S. law regulating tender offers, protecting shareholders in takeovers.

Willie Sutton Rule

Focusing on high-impact opportunities, from the bank robber’s logic.

Wilshire 5000 Total Market Index (TMWX)

Broad U.S. stock index, tracking nearly all public companies.

Win/Loss Ratio

Ratio of successful to unsuccessful trades, measuring trading performance.

Windfall Profits

Unexpected large gains, like from sudden market or asset spikes.

Windfall Tax

Tax on unexpected profits, like from commodity booms, to redistribute gains.

Winding Up

Process of closing a business, liquidating assets, and settling debts.

Window Dressing

Manipulating financials to appear stronger, often before reporting periods.

Window Guaranteed Investment Contract

Insurance contract with withdrawal periods, used in retirement plans.

Window of Opportunity

Brief period to act, like investing during favorable market conditions.

Windstorm Insurance

Coverage for wind or hurricane damage, often separate from standard policies.

Winner-Takes-All Market

Market where one firm dominates, like tech giants, impacting competition.

Winner's Curse

Overpaying in auctions due to competition, like in acquisitions.

Winsorized Mean

Average with extreme values replaced, used in financial data analysis.

Wire Fraud

Fraud via electronic communication, like fake wire transfers, illegal.

Wire Room

Bank or broker area handling wire transfers and communications.

Wire Transfers

Electronic funds transfer between banks, fast but often costly.

Wirehouse

Large brokerage firm with extensive branch networks, like Merrill Lynch.

Wirehouse Broker

Broker at a wirehouse, handling client investments and trades.

Wisconsin School of Business

U.S. business school offering finance and management education.

Wisdom of Crowds

Collective judgment improving financial forecasts or market predictions.

Witching Hour

Volatile period near options or futures expiration, like triple witching.

With Approved Credit (WAC)

Loan or credit terms contingent on creditworthiness approval.

With Benefit of Survivorship

Asset passing to co-owner upon death, common in joint accounts.

With Discretion

Broker authority to make trading decisions without client approval.

Withdrawal

Removing funds from accounts, like banks or retirement plans.

Withdrawal Benefits

Pension or retirement plan payouts upon leaving or retiring.

Withdrawal Credits, Pension Plan

Credits allowing penalty-free pension withdrawals under specific conditions.

Withdrawal Penalty

Fee for early withdrawal, like from CDs or IRAs.

Withdrawal Plan

Structured schedule for taking funds, like from retirement accounts.

Withholding

Deducting taxes or fees from income, like payroll taxes.

Withholding Allowance

Exemption reducing tax withheld, set via W-4 form.

Withholding Tax

Tax deducted from income, like dividends or wages, at source.

Without Evidence of Insurability

Insurance issued without medical or financial checks, often group plans.

Without Recourse

Lender cannot pursue additional assets beyond collateral if loan defaults.

WM/Reuters Benchmark Rates

Currency exchange rates used globally, updated daily for trading.

Wolfe Wave

Chart pattern predicting price reversals using wave cycles.

Word-of-Mouth Marketing

Promotion via customer recommendations, boosting financial product sales.

Worden Stochastics

Momentum indicator for trading, similar to Williams %R.

Wordpress (CMS)

Platform for financial blogs or websites, aiding investor communication.

Work Cells

Small, efficient production units, reducing costs in financial operations.

Work Ticket

Document detailing tasks or trades, used in financial workflows.

Workable Indication

Preliminary, non-binding price quote for securities or assets.

Workers' Compensation

Insurance covering workplace injuries, mandatory in many jurisdictions.

Workers' Compensation Coverage A

Basic workers’ comp covering medical and wage losses for injuries.

Workers' Compensation Coverage B

Additional coverage for employer liability in workplace injury lawsuits.

Workflow

Sequence of processes in financial operations, like loan approvals.

Working-Age Population

People aged 15-64, impacting labor markets and economic growth.

Working Capital (NWC)

Current assets minus current liabilities, measuring short-term liquidity.

Working Capital Loan

Short-term loan to cover operational expenses, like payroll.

Working Capital Management

Optimizing cash, receivables, and inventory for financial efficiency.

Working Capital Turnover

Revenue divided by working capital, measuring operational efficiency.

Working Class

Socioeconomic group relying on wages, often in manual or service jobs.

Working Control

Holding enough shares to influence company decisions without majority ownership.

Working Interests

Ownership in oil/gas operations, bearing costs and profits.

Working Ratio

Operating expenses divided by revenue, measuring cost efficiency.

Working Tax Credit (WTC)

UK tax credit supporting low-income workers, boosting disposable income.

Workout Agreement

Restructured loan terms to avoid default, benefiting borrower and lender.

Workout Market

Market for distressed debt or assets, traded at discounts.

Workout Period

Time to resolve a distressed loan or asset, avoiding foreclosure.

Works-in-Progress

Partially completed projects or goods, recorded as assets in accounting.

World Bank

International institution providing loans for development, reducing poverty.

World Bank Group

Five organizations, including World Bank, funding global development projects.

World Economic Forum (WEF)

Organization hosting Davos, influencing global economic and financial policy.

World Economic Outlook (WEO)

IMF report forecasting global economic trends, guiding investments.

World Equity Benchmark Series (WEBS)

Early ETFs tracking international indices, now part of iShares.

World Federation of Stock Exchanges

Global body setting standards for stock exchanges, enhancing markets.

World Fund

Mutual fund investing globally across regions and asset classes.

World Gold Council (WGC)

Organization promoting gold investment, influencing commodity markets.

World Insurance

Insurance covering global risks, like multinational business operations.

World Trade Organization (WTO)

Global body regulating trade, impacting tariffs and financial flows.

WorldCom

Telecom firm infamous for 2002 accounting fraud, leading to bankruptcy.

Worldwide Coverage

Insurance covering risks globally, like for multinational corporations.

Worldwide Income

All income, domestic and foreign, subject to taxation in some countries.

Worthless Securities

Stocks or bonds with no value, often from bankrupt firms.

W.P. Carey School of Business

U.S. business school offering finance and management education.

Wrap Account

Investment account with all-inclusive fees, covering management and trades.

Wrap-Around Insurance Program

Comprehensive insurance covering multiple risks, like for businesses.

Wrap-Around Loan

Mortgage including an existing loan, often used in seller financing.

Wrap Fee

All-inclusive fee for investment management and transactions in wrap accounts.

Wrap-Up Insurance

Single policy covering all parties in a project, like construction.

Wraparound Mortgage

Synonym for wrap-around loan, combining old and new mortgage debt.

Writ

Court order, like for asset seizure, impacting financial disputes.

Writ of Attachment

Court order seizing assets to secure debt before judgment.

Writ of Execution

Court order enforcing a judgment, like seizing assets for debt.

Writ of Seizure and Sale

Court order to seize and sell property to satisfy a debt.

Write-Down

Reducing an asset’s book value, reflecting impairment or loss.

Write-Off

Removing uncollectible debt or assets from financial records.

Write-Up

Increasing an asset’s book value, often after revaluation.

Writer

Seller of an option contract, obligated to fulfill its terms.

Writing an Option

Selling an option, collecting a premium but taking on risk.

Written-Down Value

Asset’s book value after depreciation or write-downs.

Written Premium

Total premiums for insurance policies issued, before adjustments.

Wrongful Dishonor

Bank improperly refusing to honor a valid check, risking liability.

Wrongful Termination Claim

Lawsuit for illegal firing, potentially impacting employer financials.