I

• Initial Coin Offering (ICO)

  A method of raising capital by issuing a new digital currency, often used by blockchain-based companies.

• Initial public offering

  (IPO) the process by which a private company sells shares of its stock to the public for the first time, in order to raise capital. This process can be complex and expensive.

• Internal Rate of Return (IRR)

  A financial metric used to evaluate the profitability of an investment over a specific period of time, expressed as a percentage.

• Investment thesis

  A written document that recommends a new investment, based on research and analysis of its potential for profit. Individual investors can use this technique to investigate and select investments that meet their goals. Financial professionals use the investment thesis to pitch their ideas.

• Intrinsic value

  The true or inherent value of an investment, often determined by fundamental analysis of the underlying company's financial and operational performance.

• Investment Style

  The method and philosophy followed by an investor or money manager in selecting investments for a portfolio. Investment style is based on several factors and typically tends to be based on parameters such as risk preference, growth vs. value orientation, and/or market cap.

• Investment Strategy

  A set of principles, behaviors and/or procedures designed to guide an individual investor's selection of an investment portfolio in order to achieve that investor's financial and investment goals. An investment strategy is what guides an investor's decisions based on goals, risk tolerance, and future needs for capital.

• Inception date

  The date on which the fund began its operations. The commencement date indicates when a fund began investing in the market. Many investors prefer funds with longer operating histories. Funds with longer histories have longer track records and can thereby provide investors with a more long-standing picture of their performance.

• Interest rate hedges

  A financial solution that allows qualified loan customers to swap a variable interest rate for a fixed rate over a defined period of time, increasing the predictability of cash flow.

• Illiquid asset

  An asset that cannot be easily sold or converted into cash without significant loss of value, such as real estate or private equity.

• Index Fund

  A type of mutual fund or exchange-traded fund (ETF) that aims to replicate the performance of a specific index.

• Indexing

  Refers to the use of some benchmark indicator or measure as a reference or yardstick. Indexing is used as a statistical measure for tracking economic data such as inflation, unemployment, gross domestic product (GDP) growth, productivity, and market returns.

• Inflation risk

  The risk that the future real value (after inflation) of an investment, asset, or income stream will be reduced by unanticipated inflation.

• Inflation

  The rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services is rising, eroding the purchasing power of money. It represents the rate at which the real value of an investment is eroded and the loss in spending or purchasing power over time.

• Inheritance Tax

  A tax imposed on the transfer of assets or wealth from a deceased person to their heirs or beneficiaries.

• Initial Margin

  The initial amount of money or collateral required to be deposited when trading on margin or entering into a futures or options contract. Simply put, it is a tax imposed by some states on the recipients of inherited assets.

• Intrinsic value

  The true or inherent value of an investment, often determined by fundamental analysis of the underlying company's financial and operational performance.

• Inverted Yield Curve

  A situation in which short-term interest rates are higher than long-term interest rates, often seen as a potential indicator of an upcoming economic downturn.

• Investment Horizon

  Describe the total length of time that an investor expects to hold a security or a portfolio before needing to access the funds.

• Investment Objective

  Used by asset managers to determine the optimal portfolio mix for a client. Investments are chosen using the guidelines of the investment objective.

• Investment property

  Real estate property purchased with the intention of earning a return on the investment either through rental income, the future resale of the property, or both.

• Infrastructure Investment

  The allocation of capital to projects such as roads, bridges, water supply, sewers, electrical grids, etc.

• Illiquid

  The state of a security or other asset that cannot easily be sold or exchanged for cash without a substantial loss in value.

• Impact Investing

  Investments made into companies, organizations, and funds with the intention to generate social and environmental impact alongside a financial return.

• Incubator

  A company that helps new and startup companies to develop by providing services such as management training or office space.

• Institutional Investor

  A nonbank person or organization that trades securities in large enough share quantities or dollar amounts that they qualify for preferential treatment and lower commissions.

• Interest Rate Swap

  An agreement between two counterparties in which one stream of future interest payments is exchanged for another based on a specified principal amount.