While it can seem the world if finance has an obscure and mystifying vocabulary, this jargon is also vital industry shorthand. Here are some of the more common terms - the kind you're likely to hear every day. Get your head around these and you'll have a great foundation to build on.

After the bell

What it means: After the market is closed to regular trading
Where you'll hear it: On the trading floor

Earnings

What it means: A quarterly announcement of a publicly traded company's financial results through both a press release and a conference call with analysts and investors
When you'll hear it: From an Equity Research analyst updating a company model

League table

What it means: A third-party ranking of investment banks by fees, deal volume or other factors
When you'll hear it: When working on a pitch book

Pitch book

What it means: A marketing presentation detailing an investment bank's main attributes, products and services
When you'll hear it: While working with a sales team to win new business

PM

What it means: Portfolio Manager of a financial institution
When you'll hear it: During introductions on an investor call for a deal in the market

IPO

What it means: Initial public offering, or the first time a company trades publicly
When you'll hear it: In a news story or publication

Rally

What it means: Period of sustained increase in the price of a stock, bond or index
Where you'll hear it: In a client meeting

Tick and tie

What it means: To make sure the numbers in a presentation are accurate and consistent
When you'll hear it: As you wrap up a pitch book for a client meeting

Tombstone

What it means: A short written summary that includes basic details about a transaction, often used in documents and pitches to indicate experience in a sector or transaction type
When you'll hear it: In conversation with the Marketing department

There's a lot more industry lingo used in investment banks -that's why we'll be putting together more articles like this one over the coming months. Click here to sign up and be the first to benefit from our latest insights.