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Uphold: Platform overview and key facts Uphold is a cloud-based, multi-asset financial platform that lets users hold, send, convert, and sell fiat currencies, cryptocurrencies, equities, and precious metals. It emphasizes transparent pricing, real-time reserve reporting, and simple one-step conversions between asset classes. Key points * Multi-asset support: fiat currencies, cryptocurrencies, equities, and precious metals. *…

Upgrade: What it is and how it works An upgrade is a positive revision in the assessed value or rating of a security, typically reflecting improving fundamentals. Upgrades can come from equity analysts, bond analysts, or credit-rating agencies and often influence market prices, borrowing costs, and investor sentiment. Key takeaways An upgrade is a favorable…

Up Volume Up volume refers to periods when a security or market index trades at higher prices accompanied by increased trading volume. It contrasts with down volume, when prices fall on higher volume. Observing up volume helps traders and investors assess whether rising prices reflect broad participation or lackluster, low-volume moves. Why up volume matters…

Up-Market Capture Ratio What it is The up-market capture ratio measures how well an investment manager or strategy performs relative to a benchmark during periods when the benchmark rises. It shows the percentage of the benchmark’s gains captured by the manager in up markets. Key takeaways Calculated as (manager return in up-market / benchmark return…

Up-Front Mortgage Insurance (UFMI) What UFMI Is Up-Front Mortgage Insurance (UFMI), often called the UFMIP (Up-Front Mortgage Insurance Premium), is a one-time insurance premium charged on Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans. Its purpose is to protect the lender (and the FHA program) if a borrower defaults. UFMI is collected at loan origination and can either…

Up/Down Gap Side-by-Side White Lines Overview The up/down gap side-by-side white lines is a three-candle candlestick continuation pattern. It signals a likely continuation of the prior trend (uptrend for the up version, downtrend for the down version) but is relatively uncommon and only moderately reliable. Pattern structure Up gap side-by-side white lines (bullish continuation) Market…

Up-and-Out Option An up-and-out option is a barrier (exotic) option that becomes worthless if the underlying asset’s price rises to or above a predetermined barrier level during the option’s life. If the barrier is never hit, the option behaves like a standard (vanilla) call or put, giving the holder the right — but not the…

Up-and-In Option An up-and-in option is a type of barrier (exotic) option that becomes active only if the underlying asset’s price rises to or above a specified barrier level before the option expires. Until that barrier is “knocked in,” the option has no value; if the barrier is never reached, the option expires worthless. Key…

Unwinding a Position: Definition, Process, and Common Uses Key takeaways * Unwinding is the process of closing complex or large trades, often through multiple steps or transactions. * It can be used to correct trading errors (for example, undoing an unintended buy or sell). * Liquidity risk can complicate unwinding because less liquid assets are…

Unweighted (Equal-Weight) Index What it is An equal-weight (or unweighted) index assigns the same importance to every stock in the index or portfolio, regardless of company size or market value. Each constituent represents an identical percentage of the index, so the smallest and largest companies carry equal statistical weight. Key takeaways Equal-weighting treats each stock…

Unsystematic Risk: Definition, Types, and How to Manage It What is unsystematic risk? Unsystematic risk (also called idiosyncratic or diversifiable risk) is the risk that affects a single company or a specific industry rather than the entire market. These are events or conditions unique to one firm or sector—examples include management failure, a product recall,…

Unsuitable Investment (Unsuitability) Key takeaways * An unsuitable investment is one that does not match an investor’s goals, needs, time horizon, or risk tolerance. * Financial professionals are generally required to recommend investments suitable for a customer’s situation, though suitability is a different and often less stringent standard than fiduciary duty. * Determining suitability depends…

Key takeaways * “Unsubscribed” (or undersubscribed) describes IPO shares that remain unsold before the offering — demand is lower than supply. * It commonly signals that an offering is priced too high, the company has problems, or market conditions are unfavorable. * Unsubscribed IPOs prevent companies from raising their target capital; options include debt financing,…

Unsubordinated Debt: What it Means and How it Works Key takeaways * Unsubordinated debt (also called senior debt or senior security) must be repaid before other claims in bankruptcy or liquidation. * It is often secured by collateral and therefore considered less risky than subordinated (junior) debt. * Because of lower risk and higher repayment…

Unsterilized Foreign Exchange Intervention Overview Unsterilized foreign exchange intervention occurs when a country’s monetary authorities intervene in the currency market without offsetting operations to neutralize the effect on the domestic money supply. By buying or selling foreign assets and allowing the corresponding change in the monetary base to stand, the central bank combines exchange-rate goals…

Unstated Interest Paid What it is Unstated interest paid is the amount of interest the IRS assumes has been charged on an installment sale when the written contract either does not state an interest rate or states a rate below the applicable federal rate (AFR). The IRS imputes that interest so that part of each…

Unsponsored ADRs: Definition, How They Work, Limitations, and Comparison to Sponsored ADRs Key takeaways An unsponsored American Depositary Receipt (ADR) is issued by a depositary bank or broker‑dealer without the foreign company’s cooperation. Unsponsored ADRs typically trade over‑the‑counter (OTC) in the U.S. and may not carry voting rights or shareholder benefits. Multiple unsponsored ADRs can…

Unsolicited Bid An unsolicited bid is an offer by an individual, investor, or company to buy a company that is not actively seeking a buyer. When the target resists, the bid can become a hostile takeover. Unsolicited bids often arise when an acquirer sees untapped value, proprietary technology, market share, or other strategic benefits in…

Unsolicited Application: What It Is and How It Works An unsolicited application is a request submitted directly by an individual rather than through an agent, broker, or in response to a posted opening. In insurance, it usually refers to someone applying for life insurance on their own. In employment, it describes a job seeker who…

Unskilled Labor “Unskilled labor” is an outdated label historically used to describe workers with limited formal education or simple, repetitive job tasks. Today, the preferred and more accurate term is low-wage labor, since many workers in these roles possess important skills that the old label ignored. Why the term is outdated It implies a lack…

Unsecured Note An unsecured note is a corporate debt instrument that is not backed by specific collateral. Issuers promise to repay principal and interest over a fixed term, but if they default there are no pledged assets that noteholders can claim. Because of this higher risk, unsecured notes typically offer higher interest rates than secured…

Unsecured Loans: Borrowing Without Collateral What is an unsecured loan? An unsecured loan is credit granted without requiring collateral (such as a house, car, or other asset). Instead, lenders evaluate a borrower’s creditworthiness—credit score, income, and debt history—to decide whether to approve the loan and on what terms. Common examples include personal loans, student loans,…

Unsecured Debt Key takeaways Unsecured debts are loans not backed by collateral. Lenders charge higher interest rates because they have limited protection if borrowers default. When borrowers default, lenders may report the debt to credit agencies, hire collection agencies, sue, or sell the debt on the secondary market. What is unsecured debt? Unsecured debt refers…

Unsecured Creditors — Definition and Overview An unsecured creditor is a person or institution that extends credit without taking specific assets as collateral. If the borrower defaults, the unsecured creditor has no automatic right to seize property; instead, collection typically depends on litigation, bankruptcy proceedings, or voluntary repayment. Examples include credit card issuers, utilities, landlords,…

Unsecured: What It Is and How It Works What is unsecured debt? Unsecured debt is borrowing that is not backed by collateral. Instead of holding an asset (like a home or car) the lender assesses the borrower’s creditworthiness—credit history, income, employment status, and existing debts—when deciding whether to extend credit. Common examples: * Credit cards…

Unscheduled Property Floater Definition An unscheduled property floater is an endorsement to an existing property insurance policy that provides blanket coverage for personal items that are not individually listed or valued. It protects groups of belongings—such as clothing, electronics, or sports equipment—under a single coverage limit and deductible. How it works Added as a rider…

Unsatisfied Judgment Fund An unsatisfied judgment fund is a state-run pool of money used to compensate victims of motor vehicle accidents when the responsible driver cannot pay damages. It helps cover uncompensated bodily injury expenses—typically medical bills—when the at-fault party is insolvent, uninsured, or underinsured. How it works The fund pays judgments up to statutory…

Unrestricted Net Assets What they are Unrestricted net assets are funds or resources given to a nonprofit without donor-imposed conditions. The organization may use these assets for general operations, program support, capital expenses, or any other legitimate purpose consistent with its mission. Key takeaways Unrestricted net assets offer maximum flexibility to nonprofits. Temporarily restricted assets…

Unrestricted Cash Unrestricted cash is the portion of a company’s cash and cash equivalents that is available for any purpose. It appears on the balance sheet as part of “cash and cash equivalents” and is classified as a current asset because it’s readily accessible to meet short-term obligations. Key takeaways Unrestricted cash can be spent…

Unrelated Business Taxable Income (UBTI) Unrelated Business Taxable Income (UBTI) is income a tax-exempt organization earns from a trade or business activity that is regularly carried on and not substantially related to the organization’s exempt purpose. The UBTI rules prevent tax-exempt entities from competing unfairly with taxable businesses when they engage in profit-making activities unrelated…

Unregistered Shares: Meaning, Risks, and How to Protect Yourself What are unregistered shares? Unregistered shares—often called restricted stock—are company securities that are not registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). They commonly arise from: Private placements or Regulation D offerings Employee stock plans or compensation packages Early-stage funding in startups Because they lack…

Unrecorded Deed: Overview, Risks, and How to Protect Yourself Key takeaways * An unrecorded deed is a deed that transfers ownership of real property but has not been filed with the local public records office. * Failure to record can make the transfer invisible to third parties, creating problems for resale, financing, insurance, and tax…

Unrecaptured Section 1250 Gain — Overview and Practical Guide An unrecaptured Section 1250 gain arises when depreciable real property (for example, rental or commercial buildings) is sold for more than its adjusted basis and some of that gain is attributable to previously claimed depreciation. The portion attributable to depreciation is “recaptured” and taxed at a…

Unrealized Loss An unrealized loss is a “paper” loss that occurs when an asset you own declines in market value but is not sold. The loss remains unrealized until you dispose of the asset; only then does it become a realized loss that can affect taxes and be formally recorded as a loss. Key takeaways…

Unrealized Gain An unrealized gain (a “paper gain”) is the increase in the value of an asset that an investor still holds and has not sold. It exists on paper as the difference between current market value and the original purchase price (including purchase fees). The gain becomes realized only when the asset is sold…