What Is the Look-Ahead Bias? Look-ahead bias occurs by using information or data in a study or simulation that would not have been known or available during the period being analyzed. This can lead to inaccurate results in the study or simulation. More importantly, a look-ahead bias can unintentionally sway simulation results closer into line
What Are Look-Alike Contracts? Look-alike contracts are a cash-settled financial product based on the settlement price of a similar exchange-traded, physically settled futures contract. Look-alike contracts are traded over the counter and they carry no risk of actual physical delivery regardless of the terms of the underlying futures contract. Futures look-alike contracts are regulated by
What Are Look-Through Earnings? Look-through earnings take the current period earnings of a company (as reported in a quarterly or annual report) and add to that figure all sources of earnings expected in the long run. Look-through earnings are not necessarily a quantity; instead, look-through earnings are based on the concept that a firm’s value
What Is Loan Syndication? The term “loan syndication” refers to the process of involving a group of lenders that fund various portions of a loan for a single borrower. Loan syndication most often occurs when a borrower requires an amount that is too large for a single lender or when the loan is outside the
What Is the Loan-To-Cost Ratio (LTC)? The loan-to-cost (LTC) ratio is a metric used in commercial real estate construction to compare the financing of a project (as offered by a loan) with the cost of building the project. The LTC ratio allows commercial real estate lenders to determine the risk of offering a construction loan.
What Is the Loan-to-Value (LTV) Ratio? The loan-to-value (LTV) ratio is an assessment of lending risk that financial institutions and other lenders examine before approving a mortgage. Typically, loan assessments with high LTV ratios are considered higher-risk loans. Therefore, if the mortgage is approved, the loan has a higher interest rate. Additionally, a loan with
What Is a Lobby? The term lobby refers to a group of people who band together and try to influence politicians and other individuals in public office. A lobby is typically formed to influence government officials to act in a way that is beneficial to the lobby’s or an industry’s best interests, either through favorable legislation or by
What Is a Lobster Trap? A lobster trap is a defense strategy used by small target firms to protect themselves against hostile takeovers initiated by larger corporations. Companies that employ this anti-takeover measure pass provisions in their charters that block shareholders with a stake of more than 10% from converting securities into voting shares. This prevents large
What Is a Local Tax? A local tax is an assessment by a state, county, or municipality to fund public services ranging from education to garbage collection and sewer maintenance. Local taxes come in many forms, from property taxes and payroll taxes to sales taxes and licensing fees. They can vary widely from one jurisdiction
What Is Lockbox Banking? Lockbox banking is a service provided by banks to companies for the receipt of payment from customers. Under the service, the payments made by customers are directed to a special post office box instead of going to the company. The bank goes to the box, retrieves the payments, processes them and
