What Is the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP)? The Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) is a measure of inflation in the European Union (EU). It reflects change over time in the prices paid by households for a representative basket of goods and services. The European Central Bank (ECB) uses the HICP for the
What Are Hidden Taxes Hidden taxes are taxes indirectly assessed on consumer goods without the explicitly knowledge of consumers who purchase the product. At the heart of the concept of a hidden tax is the notion that if you cannot see it, your purchasing behavior will be largely unchanged. With the advent of modern transactional systems, visibility
What Are Hidden Values? Hidden values are assets that are undervalued on a company’s balance sheet and therefore may not be incorporated into or reflected in the company’s share price. So-called value investors seek to uncover hidden values on a company’s balance sheet that are often overlooked by the average investor, often through the use
The hierarchy-of-effects theory is a model of how advertising influences a consumer’s decision to purchase or not purchase a product or service. The hierarchy represents the progression of learning and decision-making consumer experiences as a result of advertising. A hierarchy-of-effects model is used to set up a structured series of advertising message objectives for a
What Is the Hierarchy of GAAP? The hierarchy of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) refers to a four-level framework that classifies the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) guidance on accounting practices and standards by their level of authority. Top-level
High-yield bonds are debt securities, also known as junk bonds, that are issued by corporations. They can provide a higher yield than investment-grade bonds, but they are also riskier investments. What Are High-Yield Bonds? High-yield bonds (also called junk bonds) are bonds that pay higher interest rates because they have lower credit ratings than investment-grade
What Is a High Beta Index? A high beta index is a basket of stocks that exhibits greater volatility than a broad market index such as the S&P 500 Index. The S&P 500 High Beta Index is the most well-known of these indexes. It tracks the performance of 100 companies in the S&P 500 that are
What Is a High Close? A high close is a trading strategy that stock manipulators use that entails making small trades at high prices during the final minutes of trading so as to give the impression that the stock performed really well. Key Takeaways A high close is a stock manipulation tactic in which small
What Are High Earners, Not Rich Yet (HENRYs)? High earners, not rich yet (HENRYs) are individuals who currently have significant discretionary income and a strong chance of being wealthy in the future. The term HENRYs was coined in a 2003 Fortune Magazine article to refer to a segment of families earning between $250,000 and $500,000, but
What Is the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA)? The Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) is a law designed to provide financial assistance to post-secondary students and to strengthen the educational resources of the colleges and universities of the United States. The HEA, as it is commonly known, increased the amount of federal money
