Variable Annuities
Investment vehicles similar to mutual funds which are sold by insurance companies.

Venture Capital
Financing for new businesses. In return for venture capital, investors may receive a say in the company's management, as well as some combination of profits, preferred shares or royalties.

Vesting
Right an employee gradually acquires by length of service at a company to receive employer-contributed benefits, such as payments from a pension fund, profit-sharing plan, or other qualified plan or trust.

Volatility
The characteristic of a security or market to fall or rise sharply in price in a short-term period.

Volume
Number of shares traded in a company or an entire market during a given period.