Author: user

Usury Usury is lending money at an interest rate that is unreasonably high or exceeds the maximum allowed by law. Historically, the term once referred to charging any interest at all, but today it commonly denotes excessive interest rates or rates that violate statutory caps. Key points Usury involves charging interest considered excessive or illegal…

Usufruct Usufruct is a legal arrangement that gives a person temporary rights to use and benefit from another person’s property without transferring ownership. It combines two rights—usus (the right to use) and fructus (the right to enjoy the fruits or income)—while excluding abusus (the right to consume, destroy, or transfer the property). How usufruct works…

Usual, Customary, and Reasonable (UCR) Fees Usual, Customary, and Reasonable (UCR) fees are the amounts insurers use to determine how much they will pay for a given medical service. They affect what a policyholder pays out of pocket when receiving care. What UCR means A fee is considered usual, customary, and reasonable when it: *…

User Fee: Definition and Overview A user fee is a charge imposed as a condition for accessing a particular service, facility, or product. Common examples include highway tolls, parking fees, entrance fees to national parks, and admission to certain attractions or services provided by public institutions. Key Takeaways A user fee is paid to access…

Useful Life: Definition and Role in Asset Depreciation Key takeaways Useful life is an accounting estimate of how long an asset will provide economic benefit. It determines the time period over which an asset’s cost is allocated as depreciation. Common depreciation methods include straight-line and accelerated approaches. Changes in usage, technology, age, or repairs can…

Use Tax: Definition, Purpose, and How It Differs from Sales Tax Use tax is a consumption tax applied to goods purchased outside your home taxing jurisdiction when no sales tax was collected at the point of sale. It ensures that residents pay the same tax whether they buy locally or from out-of-state sellers, preserving fair…

Use and Occupancy (U&O): Overview Use and occupancy (U&O) is a short-term real estate agreement that lets one party use or occupy a property before ownership transfers or remain after closing. It can cover scenarios such as a buyer needing early access before the deed is recorded or a seller needing more time to move…

USD — The U.S. Dollar What is USD? USD is the three-letter currency code for the U.S. dollar, the official currency of the United States and the world’s dominant reserve currency. It’s managed by the Federal Reserve and is the most traded currency on global foreign-exchange markets. The dollar is also used as legal tender…

What is a B‑School? A B‑School (business school) is an academic unit—at the undergraduate or graduate level—that focuses on business and management education. The most recognized graduate offering is the Master of Business Administration (MBA). Top B‑Schools are highly selective and can be costly, so prospective students should weigh prestige, specialization, and return on investment….

Usance Usance (also called tenor) is the customary, allowable period between the date on a bill of exchange and the date that payment is due. In international trade and commercial finance, usance specifies a deferred payment term that varies by country and practice—commonly from about two weeks to two months (frequently 30, 60, or 90…

U.S. Treasury: Role, History, and Securities Key takeaways The U.S. Department of the Treasury manages federal finances: collecting taxes, producing currency, managing government accounts, and issuing debt. It enforces tax and finance laws and oversees several bureaus, including the IRS and the U.S. Mint. The Treasury issues short- and long-term securities (bills, notes, bonds) backed…

U.S. Savings Bonds: Definition, How They Work, Types, and Taxes Key takeaways * U.S. savings bonds are low-risk, government-backed debt securities issued by the U.S. Treasury. * They accrue interest and are redeemable after minimum holding periods; interest is exempt from state and local income tax and federal tax can be deferred until redemption or…

U.S. Dollar Index (USDX) What the USDX measures The U.S. Dollar Index (USDX) quantifies the value of the U.S. dollar relative to a basket of major foreign currencies. It was created in 1973 (after the end of the Bretton Woods system) and is currently maintained by ICE Data Indices. The index uses a base value…

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Overview, History, and Services What the VA is The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is the federal agency responsible for providing medical care, financial benefits, and other services to U.S. military veterans and their families. Originally created as the Veterans Administration in 1930, it was elevated to a Cabinet-level…

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is a federal agency focused on expanding access to safe, affordable housing and supporting community development. Created in 1965, HUD’s work includes enforcing fair housing laws, providing housing assistance and grants, supporting mortgage markets through the Federal Housing…

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) What HHS is The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is a Cabinet-level federal department charged with protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those least able to help themselves. HHS promotes medical and public health research, administers health…

Foreign Aid and the Role of USAID Overview Foreign aid is the voluntary transfer of resources—money, goods, services, or technical assistance—from one country (or organization) to another. It is most often provided by wealthier nations to developing countries to respond to emergencies, support economic development, strengthen health and education systems, and promote stability and human…

Urban Development Act of 1970 Overview The Urban Development Act of 1970 (also known as the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1970) expanded federal involvement in housing and urban policy. Enforced through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the act aimed to support urban growth, revitalize distressed neighborhoods, and increase assistance…

Uptrend in Technical Analysis An uptrend is a sustained upward movement in a security’s price, defined by a sequence of higher highs and higher lows. It indicates bullish market sentiment and offers opportunities for traders to profit from rising prices. Key takeaways Uptrends are confirmed by higher swing highs and higher swing lows. Trendlines, moving…

Uptick and Uptick Volume What is an uptick? An uptick is a trade executed at a higher price than the immediately preceding trade (sometimes called a plus tick). For most U.S. stocks trading above $1, the minimum tick size is $0.01, so a move from $9.00 to $9.01 is an uptick; a move to $8.99…

Uptick Rule The uptick rule is an SEC regulation that restricts when short sales may be executed to help prevent short sellers from accelerating a sharp decline in a security’s price. Under the rule, short-sale orders must be executed at a price above the current market price reference (an “uptick” or above the national best…

Uptick: Definition and Key Takeaways An uptick is a transaction executed at a higher price than the immediately preceding trade. For most U.S. stocks trading above $1, the minimum tick size is one cent, so a move from $9.00 to $9.01 qualifies as an uptick. Key takeaways: * Uptick = price increase of at least…

Upstream Guarantee An upstream guarantee is a commitment by a subsidiary to guarantee the debt or obligations of its parent company. Lenders may require this when the parent’s primary asset is its ownership interest in the subsidiary, or when the parent lacks sufficient assets to secure financing on its own. Key takeaways An upstream guarantee…

Upstream Capital Costs Index (UCCI) Key takeaways * The Upstream Capital Costs Index (UCCI) is a proprietary benchmark that tracks composite capital costs for oil and natural gas production projects. * It measures costs of materials, facilities, equipment, and personnel across a diversified project portfolio and is maintained by S&P Global. * Analysts and market…

Understanding Upstream in Oil & Gas Upstream refers to the exploration and production (E&P) activities that locate, evaluate, drill for, and extract crude oil and natural gas. It is the first stage of the oil and gas value chain, preceding midstream (transportation and storage) and downstream (refining and marketing). Key takeaways Upstream = exploration, drilling,…

Upstart — meaning and workplace implications An upstart is someone who has rapidly risen in social rank or economic status but has not yet been accepted by others in the new class. The term often implies a lack of the social skills, humility or experience expected at the new level, and can suggest arrogance or…

Upstairs Market Key takeaways The upstairs market is a private network where large institutional investors and brokerage firms execute big block trades off exchanges. Trades are carried out away from public order books—often electronically or by phone—reducing visible price impact. Intermediaries and alternative trading systems (including dark pools) help execute large orders but raise transparency…

Upside Tasuki Gap An Upside Tasuki Gap is a three-candle bullish candlestick pattern that signals continuation of an existing uptrend. It consists of a gap higher between the first and second candles, followed by a third candle that partially fills but does not close that gap — indicating a temporary pullback rather than a reversal….

Upside Gap Two Crows The Upside Gap Two Crows is a three-candle bearish reversal pattern that appears after an uptrend. It signals that buying pressure may be exhausted and that sellers are starting to gain control. Traders use it to anticipate a potential top and prepare for short or exit strategies. How to identify it…

Upside/Downside Ratio: Formula and Investing Strategies What it is The upside/downside ratio (also called the up/down volume ratio) is a market-breadth indicator that compares the trading volume in advancing issues to the trading volume in declining issues on a given day. Traders use it to gauge market momentum and to help identify potential overbought or…

Upside/Downside Gap Three Methods The Gap Three Methods is a three-bar Japanese candlestick continuation pattern that signals the likely resumption of the prevailing trend. It’s a variant of the Tasuki Gap: the first two candles form a gap in the trend direction, and the third candle fills that gap by closing within the range of…

Understanding Upside: How to Identify and Use Growth Potential in Investing Key takeaways * Upside is the potential increase in value of an investment, asset, portfolio, or market. * Analysts estimate upside using fundamental and technical analysis. * Higher upside potential generally comes with higher risk. * Metrics like the upside-capture ratio and the upside/downside…

UPREIT: Benefits and Qualifications in Real Estate Investing An UPREIT (umbrella partnership real estate investment trust) is a REIT structure that lets property owners contribute real estate to a REIT in exchange for partnership units rather than selling the property outright. These property-for-unit exchanges are generally governed by Internal Revenue Code Section 721 and typically…

Upper Management: Definition and How It Works Definition Upper management refers to the highest level of executives in an organization who set strategic direction, make major decisions, and are accountable for the company’s overall performance and growth. Roles and Responsibilities Set strategy and long-term objectives for the company or major divisions. Make high‑impact decisions about…

Understanding the Upper Class: Definition, Income & Social Hierarchy Key takeaways The upper class occupies the highest social tier and controls a disproportionate share of wealth and power. Historically tied to land-owning nobility, the upper class now includes wealthy business leaders, investors, politicians, and celebrities. In the U.S., a 2018 Pew Research Center study classified…