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Stock Terms Glossary: 99 Key Investing Terms Explained

Learn essential stock market terms for beginners. From EPS, P/E, ROE to trading rules and technical analysis.

Newcomers to the stock market are often "deterred" by various professional terms, mainly due to three common issues: first, they cannot understand market information, feeling confused by terms like "market index, margin trading, stop-loss"; second, they are afraid to place orders easily, having only a vague understanding of rules such as "limit orders, market orders, T+1 settlement"; third,This analysis report might as well be written in hieroglyphics - financial jargon like EPS, ROE, and RSI is totally unintelligible.. This article will thoroughly explain over 100 stock terms at once, helping you grow from a "stock market novice" to an investor who can "understand the market." The article is structured in the logic of "basics → trading → analysis → practice," and it is recommended to save it for step-by-step learning.

Comprehensive Analysis of 99 Stock Terms_hawkinsight

  

I. Stock Basics for Beginners

1. What is a Stock? Understanding the Nature and Operation Mechanism of Stocks

When you first hear about "buying stocks," have you ever asked: "What does a stock mean?" Simply put, a stock is an ownership certificate issued by a company. When you buy shares of a company, you become one of its shareholders.

For example: Suppose a company has a total of 10,000 shares, and you buy 100 shares. Then you are a 0.1% owner of the company. As a shareholder, you can:

  • Share in the company's profits (through dividends)
  • Participate in voting at shareholder meetings
  • Enjoy capital gains from rising stock prices

2. Why Invest in Stocks? 5 Advantages to End Your Hesitation

Many people save money in banks, but the interest rate is far lower than inflation. In the long run, stocks are one of the most effective tools to combat inflation and achieve wealth growth.

5 Advantages of Investing in Stocks:

Advantage Explanation
Hedge Against Inflation Long-term stock returns are usually higher than CPI growth, protecting your purchasing power
Share in Corporate Growth For example, Apple's stock has risen 15 times in 10 years, making early investors huge profits
High Liquidity Sell whenever you want, unlike real estate which takes half a year to liquidate
Low Threshold Open an account via mobile phone, and you can buy even 1 share (fractional trading available for US stocks)
Diversify Risk Can invest in multiple industries such as technology, finance, and healthcare

3. Must-Know Before Investing: Basic Market Concepts

Term Explanation
Market Index Refers to the overall stock market performance, such as Taiwan Weighted Index, US S&P 500
Bull Market vs Bear Market Bull Market = long-term rising; Bear Market = long-term falling
Bull vs Bear Bull = bullish (expecting price rise); Bear = bearish (expecting price fall)
Listed vs OTC Listed companies are larger in scale with higher thresholds; OTC companies have strong growth potential but higher volatility

  

II. Detailed Explanation of Trading Rules and Hours

1. Comparison of Trading Hours and Rules for Taiwan Stocks, US Stocks, and Malaysian Stocks (with Table)

Different markets have significant differences in trading hours, price limits, and settlement systems. Beginners must understand these!

📊 Overview of Trading Rules for Major Global Stock Markets:

Market Trading Hours (GMT+8) Price Limit Minimum Unit Settlement System
Taiwan Stocks 09:00 - 13:30 (Continuous Auction)<br>Pre-market: 08:30-09:00<br>After-hours: 14:00-14:30 ±10% 1 Lot = 1,000 shares T+2
US Stocks 21:30 - 04:00 (9:30-16:00 EST)<br>Pre-market: 17:00-21:30<br>After-hours: 04:00-08:00 No price limits, but with circuit breaker mechanism Minimum 1 share (fractional shares supported) T+1 (effective from 2024)
Malaysian Stocks 09:00 - 12:30 / 14:30 - 17:00 >RM1:±30%<br><RM1:±0.30 1 Lot = 100 shares T+2

2. Stock Order Types: How to Choose Between Limit Orders, Market Orders, and Stop Orders?

Order Type Applicable Scenarios Risk Tips
Limit Order Want to control costs and avoid buying at high prices May not be executed
Market Order Need quick execution, suitable for highly volatile stocks Actual execution price may deviate from expectations
Stop Order Set stop-loss or take-profit points for automatic execution

Execution price may slip during violent fluctuations

3. Settlement Systems: What Exactly Are T+2 and T+1?

  • Day T:The day you buy or sell stocks
  • T+2:Taiwanese and Malaysian stocks require settlement (payment or receipt) on the 2nd trading day after the transaction
  • T+1:US stocks switched to T+1 from May 2024 for faster settlement

⚠️ Failure to make payment on time will constitute default settlement, affecting your credit record!

  

III. In-depth Analysis of Fundamental Analysis Terms

1. What Are EPS, P/E Ratio, and ROE? Understand Core Financial Indicators in One Article

1.1 Earnings Per Share (EPS): The "Report Card" of a Company's Profitability

EPS = Net Profit After Tax ÷ Number of Outstanding Shares

Example: A company earns 100 million yuan annually with a total share capital of 100 million shares → EPS = 1 yuan

📈 A higher EPS indicates stronger profitability, but it needs to be compared with peers.

1.2 Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E Ratio): Key to Judging Stock Valuation

P/E Ratio = Stock Price ÷ EPS

✅ Example: Stock price 50 yuan, EPS = 5 yuan → P/E = 10x 📊 Generally believed:

  • P/E < 15: Low (may be undervalued)
  • P/E > 30: High (watch out for bubble risks)

⚠️ Standards vary by industry: Tech stocks generally have higher P/E ratios than traditional manufacturing.

2. Return on Equity (ROE): Measuring a Company's "Profit Efficiency"

ROE = Net Profit ÷ Shareholders' Equity

✅ Example: ROE = 15% → Earn 15 yuan for every 100 yuan invested 🎯 Buffett prefers companies with ROE > 15%.

3. How to Read Financial Reports? Understand Three Major Financial Statements at Once

Statement Function Key Indicators
Balance Sheet Company's "assets": Assets vs Liabilities Debt ratio, current ratio
Income Statement How much profit is made: Revenue, costs, profits EPS, gross profit margin, net profit margin
Cash Flow Statement Actual cash flow: Operating, investing, financing Free cash flow, cash flow ratio

4. Free Cash Flow: The Real "Disposable Income" of Enterprises

Free Cash Flow = Operating Cash Flow - Capital Expenditures

📌 Why is it important?

  • Can be freely used for dividends, debt repayment, and expansion
  • More real than net profit (less susceptible to accounting manipulation)

  

IV. Practical Skills for Technical and Chip Analysis

1. K-line Chart Basics: What Do Red K, Black K, and Shadows Represent?

Each K-line contains four prices:

  • Opening price
  • Closing price (Red K = rise, Black K = fall)
  • High price
  • Low price

📌 Classic Patterns:

  • Hammer Line:Bottom reversal signal
  • Dark Cloud Cover:Top reversal signal

2. Practical Applications of RSI and KD Indicators: How to Judge Overbought and Oversold Conditions?

2.1 RSI (Relative Strength Index)

  • Range: 0~100
  • ≥70:Overbought → Potential pullback

  • <30:Oversold → Potential rebound

2.2 KD Indicator

  • K-line breaks above D-line = Golden Cross (buy signal)
  • K-line breaks below D-line = Death Cross (sell signal)

3. Chip Analysis: Interpreting Institutional Trends and Margin Trading Balances

Indicator Meaning Key Observations
Foreign Capital Overbuying International capital is optimistic More credible if overbuying lasts for 3+ consecutive days
Rising Margin Purchase Balance Retail investors borrow to buy stocks, optimistic sentiment Excessively high levels may lead to bubble formation
Rising Short Selling Balance Bearish sentiment is rising This could foreshadow an impending short squeeze.

  

V. Investment Psychology and Risk Management Strategies

1. Common Investment Psychological Misconceptions: How Many Have You Fallen Into?

Misconception Performance Consequence
Chasing Highs and Selling Lows Buying when prices rise, panicking to sell when prices fall Buying high and selling low, sustained losses
Holding Losing Positions Refusing to Admit Losses Holding onto falling stocks, unwilling to stop losses Missing out on other opportunities
Overconfidence Frequent trading, believing one can predict the market Transaction fees erode profits

2. Setting Stop-Loss and Take-Profit: Core Discipline to Protect Principal

2.1 How to Set Reasonable Stop-Loss Points?

  • Single loss should not exceed 2% of total capital
  • Technical aspect: Stop loss when breaking below support levels
  • Psychological aspect: Accept "small losses as trading costs"

2.2 Take-Profit Strategies:

  • Target return rate: e.g., automatic sell at +20%
  • Trailing stop: Gradually move stop-loss point upward after profit

3. Long-Term Investment Mindset: The Power of Time Compounding

Buffett said: "If you aren't willing to own a stock for ten years, don't even think about owning it for ten minutes."

📌 Advantages of Long-Term Investment:

  • Reduce transaction costs
  • Benefit from dividend reinvestment compounding
  • Avoid emotional trading

  

VI. Practical Case Studies

Complete Trading Process Demonstration for Beginners: From Stock Selection to Selling

Situation:You have 10,000 yuan and want to invest in tech stock ABC.

  • Research Phase
    • Check financial reports: EPS growing for 3 consecutive years, ROE > 18%
    • Check valuation: P/E = 12x, lower than industry peers
    • Technical aspect: RSI = 28, entering oversold zone
  • Place Buy Order

    • Limit order: Buy 200 shares at 4.90 yuan (total 980 yuan)
    • Accounts for <10% of total capital, in line with capital management
  • Holding and Monitoring

    • Stock price rises to 5.85 yuan, RSI reaches 78 (overbought)
    • Reaches preset take-profit point, sell decisively
  • Result:Profit of approximately 18%, steady gain after deducting fees.

  

【Recommended Reading】  CFD Trading Explained: What is CFD Trading?

【Recommended Reading】  2025 Full Analysis of Global Futures Markets Trading Hours

【Recommended Reading】  Understanding Stock Order Time in Force: Decoding GTC, IOC, FOK Orders

【Recommended Reading】  In-Depth Analysis of PEG Ratio: An Important Tool for Investment Decisions

  

Conclusion: Investment is the Realization of Cognition

Mastering these stock terms, market nomenclature, analytical methods, and psychological discipline is your first step toward rational investment. Don't rush to make money; first take the time to "understand the rules". When you grasp concepts like "what is margin trading," "how to calculate P/E ratio," and "how to set stop-losses," your investment journey will be steadier and longer-lasting.

📌 Remember:

Price is what you pay. Value is what you get. —— Warren Buffett

Disclaimer: The views in this article are from the original Creator and do not represent the views or position of Hawk Insight. The content of the article is for reference, communication and learning only, and does not constitute investment advice. If it involves copyright issues, please contact us for deletion.

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Contents
I. Stock Basics for Beginners
1. What is a Stock? Understanding the Nature and Operation Mechanism of Stocks
2. Why Invest in Stocks? 5 Advantages to End Your Hesitation
3. Must-Know Before Investing: Basic Market Concepts
II. Detailed Explanation of Trading Rules and Hours
1. Comparison of Trading Hours and Rules for Taiwan Stocks, US Stocks, and Malaysian Stocks (with Table)
2. Stock Order Types: How to Choose Between Limit Orders, Market Orders, and Stop Orders?
3. Settlement Systems: What Exactly Are T+2 and T+1?
III. In-depth Analysis of Fundamental Analysis Terms
1. What Are EPS, P/E Ratio, and ROE? Understand Core Financial Indicators in One Article
1.1 Earnings Per Share (EPS): The "Report Card" of a Company's Profitability
1.2 Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E Ratio): Key to Judging Stock Valuation
2. Return on Equity (ROE): Measuring a Company's "Profit Efficiency"
3. How to Read Financial Reports? Understand Three Major Financial Statements at Once
4. Free Cash Flow: The Real "Disposable Income" of Enterprises
IV. Practical Skills for Technical and Chip Analysis
1. K-line Chart Basics: What Do Red K, Black K, and Shadows Represent?
2. Practical Applications of RSI and KD Indicators: How to Judge Overbought and Oversold Conditions?
2.1 RSI (Relative Strength Index)
2.2 KD Indicator
3. Chip Analysis: Interpreting Institutional Trends and Margin Trading Balances
V. Investment Psychology and Risk Management Strategies
1. Common Investment Psychological Misconceptions: How Many Have You Fallen Into?
2. Setting Stop-Loss and Take-Profit: Core Discipline to Protect Principal
2.1 How to Set Reasonable Stop-Loss Points?
2.2 Take-Profit Strategies:
3. Long-Term Investment Mindset: The Power of Time Compounding
VI. Practical Case Studies
Complete Trading Process Demonstration for Beginners: From Stock Selection to Selling
Conclusion: Investment is the Realization of Cognition