Talking about Finance: English Vocabulary List

an act of spending less money during difficult financial times

"The company announced belt-tightening to save money this year."

"Due to the economic downturn, the government announced a period of belt-tightening to reduce public spending."

the rhythmic pattern of economic growth and decline, consisting of phases such as expansion, peak, contraction, and trough

"The business cycle has periods of growth and recession."

"Economists analyze the business cycle to predict future trends in employment, inflation, and overall economic activity."

a service or product that provides a business or company with a stable income

"The new phone app became a cash cow for the company."

"Their most popular software subscription has become a reliable cash cow for the company."

a financial officer responsible for managing and overseeing the financial accounts and budgets of an organization

"The comptroller checks all the money the company spends."

"The comptroller reviewed all of the company's financial records carefully to ensure that no money was missing or spent improperly."

the acquisition of a company or a controlling interest in a company's shares, often initiated by an outside entity or a group of investors, resulting in a change of ownership and control

"The buyout of the small firm cost millions of dollars."

"A buyout is the acquisition of a controlling interest in a company"

a company's gross sales or revenues, before any costs or expenses are deducted

"The company's top line increased this year."

"The top line refers to a company's gross revenues or total sales"

the movement of money in and out of a business or financial system, indicating its liquidity and financial well-being

"The business has a healthy cash flow and can pay its bills."

"The small business had a cash flow problem because it paid its suppliers immediately but waited sixty days to receive payment from its own customers."

a decline in something's price or value

"The depreciation of the car means it loses value each year."

"The accountant calculated the depreciation of the company's delivery trucks over five years to determine their current value on paper."

an agreement among independent entities, often businesses, to control prices, production, and distribution in a specific industry, reducing competition and increasing market power

"The oil cartel raised prices."

"The international cartel controlled the supply of oil and kept prices artificially high for many years."

a financial market where long-term debt or equity-backed securities are bought and sold

"The capital market helps companies raise money for growth."

"Companies raise money for new projects by selling stocks and bonds to investors in the capital market."

the act of buying a company and then selling its assets separately, often at a profit, without regard for the company's long-term viability

"Asset stripping means selling a company's parts for quick profit."

"Asset stripping is the practice of buying an undervalued company and selling off its individual assets separately for a higher total price"