Glossary
Rate-Making

A formal process through which a utility company sets the prices to be charged to customers.

Rating

The Weiss rating measured on a scale from A to F based on each stock’s performance and risk. (See Rating Definitions).

Rating Change

Indicates whether the rating has recently changed.

Rating Change (Days)

Number of calendar days since the last rating change. (see Rating Change).

Recommendation

Weiss Ratings’ opinion of investment action based on a Weiss rating. We recommend buying stocks rated A and B, holding C rated stocks, and selling D and E.

Regulatory Assets

Costs or revenues that a regulatory agency permits a utility company (generally an energy company) to defer to its balance sheet, instead of reporting them on the income statement. Examples include the cost of energy-efficiency programs and deferred fuel costs. These deferred costs are expected to be recovered from customers through rate-making process (see Rate-making).

Reinsurance Recoverable

The portion of an insurance company’s losses from claims that can be recovered from reinsurance companies.

Repurchase of Common Stock

The amount of common stock repurchased by the issuer (see Common Stock).

Repurchase of Preferred Stock

The amount of preferred stock repurchased by the issuer (see Preferred Stock).

Retained Earnings

Represents earnings not distributed to shareholders nor apportioned for any specific purpose and can therefore be reinvested in the business.

Return on Assets

The ratio of net income for the year as a percentage of average assets. This ratio, known as ROA, is the most commonly used benchmark for profitability since it measures the company’s return on investment in a format that is easily comparable with other companies.

This is a TTM figure (see Trailing Twelve Months).

Return on Equity

The ratio of net income for the year as a percentage of average equity. This ratio, known as ROE, is commonly used by a company’s shareholders as a measure of their return on investment.

This is a TTM figure (see Trailing Twelve Months).

Revenue (TTM)

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Revenue Per Share

Amount of revenue over common shares outstanding. Answers the question, what is the ownership of sales to each share.

This is a TTM figure (see Trailing Twelve Months).

Reward Grade

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Reward Index

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Reward Rating

Primarily based on a stock’s total return to shareholders over the trailing five years and, based on sales, net income, earnings trends and anticipated dividends, its prospects for future returns. Additionally, based on the stock’s current price, other important ratios are factored in. Based on proprietary modeling the individual components of the risk and reward ratings are calculated and weighted and the final rating is generated. Also see Risk Rating.

Risk Grade

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Risk Index

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Risk Rating

Primarily based on the level of volatility in the stock’s daily, monthly and quarterly returns and on the company’s financial stability. Stocks with very stable returns are considered less risky and receive a higher risk rating. Stocks with greater volatility are considered riskier, and will receive a lower risk rating. Companies with poor financial stability are considered riskier investments than those that are financially stable. Also see Reward Rating.

Weiss Ratings