Proprietorship or Sole Proprietorship

This is an unincorporated business owned by one person. The individual proprietor is entitled to all profits and is responsible for all expenses and liabilities. A Proprietorship offers the owner no asset protection.

Prospectus

The formal written offer to sell securities that sets forth the business plan of the enterprise and all relevant information the investor will need to make an informed decision to pay or not buy the securities.

Proxy

A written power of attorney by a stockholder authorizing another person to vote on his or her behalf.

Public

Individual investors as opposed to institutional investors such as insurance companies and mutual funds.

Public Offering Price or Offering Price

This is the price at which a new issue of securities is offered to the public by underwriters.

Publicly Held Corporation

A corporation with stock owned by members of the public.

Publicly Traded Stock

Publicly Traded Stock is stock purchased and sold by members of the public sometimes utilizing the services of a stock exchange.

Public Offering

The offering of stock to the public after meeting all registration and disclosure requirements.

Pump and Dump

Refer to Poop and Scoop

Pyramid Scheme

An illegal, non - sustainable business strategy that involves paying participants primarily for recruiting other people rather than providing valuable goods and services to the public. The scheme involves having each participant pay a fee or purchase inventory to get started. The fee and / or sale of the inventory to each participant is the real source of profit. Examples include Charles Ponzi and Bernie Madoff.

Quick Assets

These are cash, marketable securities, and accounts receivable.

Quick Ratio

Cash, marketable securities, and accounts receivable divided by current liabilities. This ratio excludes inventory, thus concentrating on the companies most liquid assets. It provides an answer to the question: If sales declined materially or stopped, could the company still meet its obligation? A Quick Ratio of 1:1 is considered acceptable. This is also referred to as the Acid Test Ratio.

Raider

A corporate investor who intends to take over a corporation by acquiring a controlling interest in its voting stock and then changing its senior management. Raiders who acquire 5% or more of the voting stock of a target corporation must report the acquisition to the SEC, the listing exchange, and the target corporation.

Ratio Analysis

This is a method of financial analysis used to make credit, investment, and financial decisions. It uses the relationships of numbers found in financial statements. Ratio Analysis will help the analyst determine the strengths and weaknesses of a company, as well as important trends.

Renewal Terms

Franchise agreements have a termination date that will range from five to more than ten years. Most, but not all, can be renewed subject to renewal terms set forth in the Franchise Agreement. Renewal Terms vary among franchises.