B

Fifth letter of a Nasdaq stock descriptor specifying that issue is the Class B shares of the company.

B

1. On the NASDAQ stock exchange, a symbol on the ticker board indicating that the issue being traded is class B stock. That is, B represents common stock designated by the publicly-traded company issuing it as having fewer rights than class A stock, especially fewer voting rights.

2. A low bond rating used by the S&P and Fitch credit agencies. B-rated bonds are highly speculative and are thought to contain high risk and a relatively high chance of default. Banks are not permitted to invest in B-rated bonds. See also: Junk.

B

A low, speculative grade assigned to a debt obligation by a rating agency. Such a rating indicates there is considerable uncertainty as to the ability to pay interest and repay principal over a long period.

b

Used in the dividend column of stock transaction tables in newspapers to indicate payment of a stock dividend in addition to the indicated cash dividend: 1.50b.

Wall Street Words: An A to Z Guide to Investment Terms for Today's Investor by David L. Scott. Copyright © 2003 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. All rights reserved.

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