Hard Currency - A currency, usually from a highly industrialized country, that is widely accepted around the world as a form of payment for goods and services. A hard currency is expected to remain relatively stable through a short period of time, and to be highly liquid in the forex market.

Another criterion for hard currencies is that the currency come from a politically and economically stable country. The U.S. dollar and the British pound are good examples of hard currencies.

Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) - For most people age 65 and older, a type of Medicare managed care plan where a group of doctors, hospitals and other health care providers agree to give health care to Medicare beneficiaries for a set amount of money from Medicare every month. In an HMO, you usually must get all of your care from the providers that are part of the plan; if you use providers that are outside your HMO plan, you will pay for their services out of your own pocket.

Heir - Someone who inherits assets from an estate of another person who has died. The heir does not have to pay income tax or estate tax on the value of the inheritance received.

HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) - The federal law that governs patient privacy. In general, it prevents unauthorized people from learning about your private medical information.

Holding company - A corporation that owns the securities of another, in most cases with voting control.

Hospice Care - Continuous care provided for a terminally-ill person, and his or her family, during the final stages of life. (A terminally-ill person has a life expectancy of six months or less.) Hospice care can be provided at home, in a facility with a homelike setting, a hospital or a nursing home. The care includes physical care, counseling and support services, but does not attempt to cure any illness.

Hypothecation - The pledging of securities as collateral - for example, to secure the debit balance in a margin account.