However, a second glance is enough to discover that investors' language is a lot easier to understand than it first appears. Before attempting to decipher the hieroglyphics that take up half a dozen pages of specialised newspaper every day, it is worth noting that every paper has its own codes, even though they all print the same information.

1. The first reference is the value, that's to say the name of the listed company (whether in the Continuous Market, the New Market, the S&P; 500 or Euro Stoxx, among others). Companies also tend to identify themselves by using a code. In some stock market tables, a series of indicators are added to the value's name to signal that the value belongs to various stock markets. In Spain these include the Indice General (IG), Ibex 35 (IB), Ibex Complementario (IB-C), Financiero (IB-F), Utilities (IB-U), Industrial (IB-I), Contrataci�n en Fixing (F).

2. The closing figure is the one that is of most interest to investors, alongside the change. The close is a value's final daily closing figures in euros. The change (between the day's close and the previous day's closing figure) is measured in euros and in a percentage. To add to this information, some stock market tables use arrows that point upwards or downwards depending on whether the growth has been above or below the stock market's index (in Spain this is known as the Ibex or the Ibex Complementario).

3. Other changes. The investor demands a load of complementary information, such as the opening changes, the maximum, minimum and average of the day expressed in euros.

4. Volume. This information discloses the amount invested in titles and cash during the session.

5. Capital. This figure reflects the number of shares officially quoted, as well as the nominal value of the share. In European Union bourses this is expressed in euros

6. Profitability. Expressed in a percentage to demonstrate the share's performance since 31 December 2000 (or since the day it was first listed), calculated taking into account the price's variation, all the payments made and the theoretical values of the subscription rights of any increase of capital that has been carried out.

7. Final increase of capital. Lists the date and condition of the last increase of capital made by the company, indicating if pricing is allowed or not.

8. Final Split. Reflects the date and the proportion of the last share split.

9. Payment to shareholders. This category indicates the gross total and the date of the final dividend paid out, the total number of retributions covered, the attendance premiums and other retributive concepts.�

10. Ranking. In the investment fund tables, a column is usually added giving their ranking in relation to the other company funds listed in the sector (such as BBVA Fondoplazo Doble-Bex 3/13).