OBJECTIVE - A fund's investment goals. These goals may include stability, growth, income, or a combination. For a full list of objectives click here.

OFFER PRICE - see ASK PRICE

OFFICE OF THE COMPTROLLER OF THE CURRENCY (OCC) - An arm of the Treasury that is the chief regulator of national banks. It is also a director of the FDIC.(www.occ.treas.gov)

OFFICE OF THRIFT SUPERVISION (OTS)-(www.ots.treas.gov)

OPEN INTEREST - The total number of futures contracts that are still available to be bought and sold for a particular commodity. Open interest is an indicator of how much interest there is in the contract.

OPEN PRICE - The day's first trading price for a contract.

OPTION - The right to buy a stock, commodity or other financial instrument at a future date and for a set price. In general, if the right is not exercised by the specified date, the option expires and the buyer forfeits his or her money.

OTC - Over the Counter stocks. These are stocks that are not listed or traded on an exchange, but rather through a computer/telephone network linking security traders. (www.otcbb.com)