This is represented as a percentage and is the annual income an investment makes back.

The rate of interest minus the current rate of inflation.

Real values show how relative particular prices are to prices in general. They are adjusted according to inflation.

A period of severe economic decline. Defined by a contraction of GDP for six months or longer.

The earning power of an asset or activity measured as a ratio of the net income of the activity to the operational cost. Return on investment (ROI) lets a company know whether an activity is profitable enough to continue.

Amounts of money received by (or owed to) a company for goods or services provided.