Investing glossary
Plain-language definitions of the investing terms you meet in filings, in the news and in Finzer.
7 terms, all of them on this page
U
Underwriter
An underwriter is a financial institution or professional that assumes risk to help issue securities or insure assets for a fee. Learn how underwriters work, why they matter to investors, and how to read their incentives.
Unemployment
Unemployment measures the share of the labor force actively looking for work but unable to find a job. Learn how it’s calculated, what drives it, and why investors watch it so closely.
Unemployment Rate
The unemployment rate measures the percentage of the labor force that is actively looking for work but can’t find it. Learn how it’s calculated, what really drives it, and how investors should actually use it.
Unicorn
A unicorn is a privately held startup valued at $1 billion or more. Learn how unicorn valuations are set, why they matter to investors, and how to think about them realistically.
Unit Economics
Unit economics measures how much profit or loss a business generates per individual unit sold. Learn how to analyze it, calculate it, and use it to spot scalable winners and cash-burning traps.
Unit Holder
A unit holder is an investor who owns units in a pooled investment vehicle like a mutual fund, ETF, REIT, or trust. Learn how unit holders differ from shareholders, how returns work, and what actually matters for your money.
Unsystematic Risk
Unsystematic risk is the risk specific to a single company or industry that can be reduced through diversification. Learn what causes it, how it shows up in real portfolios, and how smart investors manage it.