A Fibonacci retracement is a key technical analysis tool that uses percentages and horizontal lines, drawn onto price charts, to identify possible areas of support and resistance. Identifying these areas is useful to traders since it can help them decide when to open and close a position, or when to apply stops and limits to their trades.

A fiat currency is a national currency that is not pegged to the price of a commodity such as gold or silver. The value of fiat money is largely based on the public’s faith in the currency’s issuer, which is normally that country’s government or central bank.

The Federal Reserve bank, or the ‘Fed’ for short, is the central bank in charge of monetary and financial stability in the United States. It is part of a wider system – known as the Federal Reserve System – with 12 regional central banks located in major cities across the US.

Fair value has two meanings to investors. Generally, it is used to mean the value attributed to stock by an individual investor or broker but in futures trading, it can refer to the predicted price of a market which is reflected in the cost to open a position.

Fail occurs if a seller does not deliver securities or if a buyer does not pay owed funds by the date of the settlement.

Less than one full share of equity is a fractional share. They may be the result of stock splits, dividend reinvestment plans, or other corporate actions.

A falling knife is a colloquial term for a sudden and swift drop in the price or value of a security.

A fallen angel is a bond that was given investment-grade rating but has been reduced to junk bond due to the weakening financial condition of the issuer. 

A financial asset is a liquid asset that gains its value from a contractual right or an ownership claim. Cash, stocks, bonds, mutual funds as well as bank deposits are the examples of financial assets.

Financial distress is a condition in which a company or an individual is not able to generate profit due to their inability to pay their financial obligations.