Day Trading
Style of trading where all positions are closed before the end of the trading day.
Dead Cross
When the shorter moving average moves below the longer moving average.
Declining
Stock characterized by a downtrend by making subsequently lower highs and lower lows.
Defined Benefit Plan
An employer-sponsored retirement program, funded by the employer and in which the participant receives a fixed amount of money each year in retirement. The precise amount of this pension is based on salary and length of time on the job. This contrasts with a defined contribution plan, in which the level of income available in retirement will depend on employee contributions and investment performance.
Defined Contribution Plan
An employer-sponsored retirement program in which the participant sets aside a portion of their salary in an investment account on a tax-deferred basis. Contributions may be deductible from current income, and employers may augment savings with matching contributions. The actual value of assets available to fund retirement will depend on investment performance. Profit-sharing, employee stock ownership, 401(k), 403(b), and 457 programs are all defined contribution plans.
Detrened Price Oscillator
Price oscillator used to identify cycles in a price plot. DPO is based on the difference in price and a displaced moving average.
Directional Movement Indicator
Indicator that plots a positive +DI line measuring buying pressure and a negative -DI line measuring selling pressure. DMI pattern is bullish as long as the +DI line is above the -DI line.
Distribution
Systematic selling of a security.
Divergence
Situation that occurs when two lines on a price chart move in vertically opposite directions. Positive divergence occurs when the indicator moves higher and the stock is declining. Negative divergence occurs when the indicator moves lower and the stock is rising.
Diversification
Investing in several different types of funds and/or securities.
Dividends
Percentage of a company's profits paid to its shareholders.
DOJI
Candlestick formed when the open and close prices are the same.
Donor
Entity who gives property or assets through a trust or as an outright gift.
Dow Jones Industrial Average
Price-weighted average of 30 Blue Chip Stocks published by Dow Jones & Co. DJIA stocks with the highest prices will have the more influence and those with the lowest prices.
Dow Jones Industrial Average
An index that follows the returns of 30 well-established American companies, the Dow is the most often quoted measure of U.S. stock market performance.
Dow Theory
Dow Theory buy signal is given when the Dow Industrial and Dow Transportation averages close above a prior rally peak. Sell signal is given when both averages close below a prior reaction low.
Duration
A measurement of the price volatility of a bond, representing the approximate change in price per 1% change in yield. Therefore, a bond with duration of 2 would change in price by 2% for each 1% change in yield. A higher duration indicates a higher risk of price fluctuations. Long-term bonds tend to have the greatest durations. Durations are accurate only for small changes in yields.