E

EARNINGS - total company's profit before any nonrecurring gains or losses, but after all other expenses.

EARNINGS SURPRISE - when a company's reported earnings are significantly higher or lower than was expected.

EBITDA - stands for Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization.

ECN - see ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS.

ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS - (ECN) a computerized system that automatically matches orders between buyers and sellers. The term ECN only applies to those networks that are fully recognized by the SEC.

EMPLOYMENT COST INDEX - (ECI) measure of wage and benefit costs to employers. Published by the Department of Labor.

EQUITY - ownership interest by shareholders in a corporation, essentially the same meaning as "stock".

EQUITY OFFERING - a corporation's issuing of stock.

EX-DIVIDEND - see DIVIDEND.

EXPORTS - the sale of goods or services from one country to another. U.S. exports are reported by the Department of Commerce in it's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reports.