Emerging Markets Countries. Generally considered countries of low to middle income, as defined by the World Bank. This group currently consists of more than 100 countries and nearly 85% of the world's population. These countries include much of Southeast Asia, the Indian sub-continent, all of Africa and Latin America, Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, as well as parts of Southern Europe.

Equity. A type of security, usually called a stock, representing part ownership in a company. Generally, preferred stock and convertible stock are also types of equity securities, but debt securities are not, as they do not represent ownership.

Ex-Dividend. Literally means that purchasers at that time will not have the right to the next dividend. Shares are ex-dividend in the interval between the announcement and the payment of a dividend. A fund that has gone ex-dividend is normally marked with an "x" in the newspaper listings.