Fundamental Analysis Definitions

Phillips Curve

The Phillips curve, named after economist Alban William Phillips, aims to illustrate on a graph the relationship between inflation and unemployment in a given economy. The curve supports the concept that a lower unemployment rate corresponds with a higher rate of change in wages.

Petrodollars

Refers to dollar deposits made by oil producing countries, such as OPEC members depositing their dollars in the European market.

Peak Oil Concept

Peak Oil Concept, pioneered by US geologist M. King Hubbert in the 1950′s refers to the idea that the world has a finite reserve of oil and that it is running out, and underscores the urgency of the situation. Some believe that global oil production will rea

Commodity Currencies

Refers to to currencies that are closely tied to the value of commodities such as gold and oil. The Australian Dollar, Canadian Dollar, New Zealand Dollar and the Swiss Franc all have a strong positive correlation with commodities and are sometimes referred to as commodity currencies.

Commitments of Traders Report (COT)

A weekly report from the CFTC providing a breakdown of each Tuesday’s open interest for markets in which 20 or more traders hold positions equal to or above the reporting levels established by the CFTC. Open interest is broken down by aggregate commercial, non-commer

Oversold

A technical opinion that the market price has declined too steeply and too fast in relation to underlying fundamental factors.

WTO

World Trade Organization

Oligopoly

Oligopoly refers to an environment where a minority of large sellers dominate a market, and thereby are able to control the supply and price of a good or service. OPEC is an example of an oligopoly. See also: Monopoly

Wealth Effect

The Wealth Effect describes the increase in spending that accompanies a real or perceived increase in wealth.

Gold Standard

The gold standard is a monetary system in which a country’s currency unit is freely convertible into a fixed weight of gold. The Gold Standard was used between 1870 and 1914 – currencies were fixed at a set exchange rate to ounces of gold. Countries th