
The original sum of money involved in a financial transaction. When you save money, this is the amount of your initial investment, or your ongoing investment including interest earned. When you borrow, this is the amount of the loan you originally seek from the lender. If interest is added to a credit facility, it is referred to as being ‘capitalised’.
In economics, the stock of goods used in the production of other goods. Classical economics regards capital as a factor of production, distinguishing between financial capital and physical capital. Financial capital is accumulated or inherited wealth held in the form of assets, such as stocks and shares, property, and bank deposits, while physical capital is wealth in the form of physical assets such as machinery and plant. The term is also used to describe investment in a company as either share capital or debt (called loan capital).
An interactive version of this list is available if you enable JavaScript in your browser.
If your term isn't listed, please email it to us by clicking here and we'll email you the definition where possible, and get it added to the list.