Disinflation occurs when the rate of inflation slows down. This means that although prices are still increasing, they are rising more slowly than before. Many economists believe the global economy is experiencing disinflation because the problems in Asia are slowing down the world's growth. The amount paid by a company to its shareholders as their direct financial reward for holding the company's shares. The dividend over the current share price, expressed as a percentage.
Different companies have different policies on the size of their dividend payouts.
See Beating the Footsie . Nickname for the emerging markets in the Asia Pacific region, including Thailand, Malaysia, Korea and Indonesia.