Diversification

The process whereby funds are spread among classes of securities and geographical localities in order to distribute and control risk. As a result, the return on the portfolio as a whole varies less than the return on smaller lots of individual stocks.

Distressed Debt

A private equity investment strategy that involves purchasing discounted bonds of a financially distressed firm. Distressed debt investors frequently convert their holdings into equity and become actively involved with the management of the distressed firm.

Direct investment

Taking a stake in a company or joint venture which brings a say in how the operation is run, although it does not necessarily give a controlling interest.