Securities意思
"Securities" is a broad term used in the financial industry to refer to a variety of financial instruments that can be bought, sold, or traded. They represent ownership or debt obligations in companies, governments, or other entities, and are typically used as investments. Securities can be divided into two main categories:
-
Equities (or Stocks): These represent ownership in a company. When you buy shares of stock, you become a partial owner of the company and are entitled to a portion of the company's profits in the form of dividends, and potentially capital gains if the stock price increases.
-
Debt Securities (or Fixed Income Instruments): These include bonds, notes, and other investments that represent loans to a government, corporation, or other entity. Bonds, for example, are IOUs with a specified interest rate and maturity date. When you buy a bond, you are lending money to the issuer, who agrees to pay you back the principal plus interest over a set period of time.
Securities are typically traded on stock exchanges or over-the-counter (OTC) markets. They play a crucial role in the economy by allowing companies to raise capital for expansion and by providing investors with a way to diversify their assets and potentially earn a return on their investment.
The term "securities" is also used in a legal context, referring to financial instruments that are regulated by government agencies, such as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These agencies oversee the issuance and trading of securities to ensure that investors are protected and that the markets operate fairly and transparently.