Glossary
UK HBOS House Price Index
Measures the relative level of UK house prices for an indication of trends in UK real estate sector and their implication for overall economic outlook. This index is the longest monthly data series of any UK housing index, put out by the largest UK mortgage lender (Halifax Building Society/Bank of Scotland).
UK Producers Price Index Input
Measures the rate of inflation experienced by manufacturers when purchasing materials and services. This data is closely scrutinized since it can be a leading indicator of consumer inflation.
UK Producers Price Index Output
Measures the rate of inflation experienced by manufacturers when selling goods and services.
UK Claimant Count Rate
Measures the number of people claiming unemployment benefits. The claimant count figures tend to be lower than the unemployment data since not all unemployed are eligible for benefits.
UK Jobless Claims Change
Measures the change in the number of people claiming benefits over the previous month.
UK Average Earnings Including Bonus/ Excluding bonus
Measures the average wage including/excluding bonuses paid to employees. This is measured QoQ from the previous year.
UK Manual Unit Wage Costs
Measures the change in total labor cost expended in the production of one unit of output.
Uncovered call option writing
A short call option position in which the writer does not own an equivalent position in the underlying security represented by his option contracts.
Uncovered put option writing
A short put option position in which the writer does not have a corresponding short position in the underlying security or has not deposited, in a cash account, cash or cash equivalents equal to the exercise value of the put.
Unemployment Rate
Measures the total workforce that is unemployed and actively seeking employment, measured as the percentage of the labor force.
University of Michigan's Consumer Sentiment Index
Polls 500 US households each month. The report is issued in a preliminary version mid – month and a final version at the end of the month. Questions revolve around individuals attitudes about the US economy. Consumer sentiment is viewed as a proxy for the strength of consumer spending.
Unrealized Gain/Loss
The theoretical gain or loss on Open Positions valued at current market rates, as determined by the broker in its sole discretion. Unrealized Gains' Losses become Profits/Losses when position is closed
Uptick
A new price quote at a price higher than the preceding quote.
Uptick Rule
In the U.S., a regulation whereby a security may not be sold short unless the last trade prior to the short sale was at a price lower than the price at which the short sale is executed.
US Prime Rate
The interest rate at which US banks will lend to their prime corporate customers.
Underlying security
The security subject to being purchased or sold upon exercise of the option contract.