Glossary of Financial Terms - M

Management

Management refers to the individuals in an entity that have the authority and the responsibility to manage the entity. The positions of these individuals, and their titles, vary from one entity to another and, to some extent, from one country to another depending on the local laws and customs. Thus, when the context requires it, the term includes the board of directors or committees of the board which are designated to oversee certain matters (e.g., audit committee).

MarginTax Rate

The tax rate applicable to the last unit of income.

Market Capitalization

Aggregate value of a corporation as determined by the market price of its total issued and outstanding stock.

Market Portfolio

The total of all investment opportunities available to the investor.

Market Risk

The part of security's risk that cannot be eliminated by diversification. It is measured by the beta coefficient.

Maturity Date

Date on which a debt is due for payment.

Mentor

A close personal contact, usually in your industry who has a network of contacts in the investment community and can assist a person in achieving their objectives.

Merchant Bank

A financial institution that engages in investment banking functions, such as advising clients in mergers and acquisitions, underwriting securities and taking debt or equity positions.

Mezzanine

Stage of a company's development just prior to going public, in Venture Capital language. Venture capitalists entering at that point have a lower risk of loss than at previous stages and can look forward to early capital appreciation as a result of the Market Value gained by an Initial Public Offering.

Mezzanine Debt

Refers to non-conventional debt that has a greater element of risk than secured debt but has less risk than equity.

Money Market

Financial market in which funds are borrowed or lent for short periods. (The money market is distinguished from the capital market, which is the market for long term funds.)

Mortgage

Debt instrument by which the borrower (mortgagor) gives the lender (mortgagee) a lien on property as security for the repayment of a loan.