Investor Education

Equity securities of the largest U.S. companies, those with market capitalizations over $3 billion.

A pledge to purchase a sufficient amount of open-end investment company shares within a limited period (usually 13 months) to qualify for the reduced selling charge that would apply to a comparable lump-sum purchase.

A feature of Class C Shares, a level load is an annual asset-based fee that is paid through the life of an investment in the Class C Shares.

All the outstanding claims for money against a corporation: accounts payable, wages and salaries, dividends declared or payable, accrued taxes, fixed or long-term liabilities such as mortgage bonds, debentures and bank loans.

(1) The ability of the market in a particular security to absorb a reasonable amount of trading at reasonable price changes. Liquidity is one of the most important characteristics of a strong market.

(2) The easy ability of investors to convert their securities holdings into cash and vice versa.

The portion of an offering price of shares in an open-end investment company that covers sales commissions and all other costs of distribution. The load incurred on purchases is sometimes referred to as "front-end." It can also be called Sales Charge. Some funds have a conditional deferred sales charge or redemption fee.