spike

Spike

1) The comparatively large upwards or downwards movement of a price or value level in a short period.

2) The trade order execution confirmation slip which shows all the pertinent data, such as the stock symbol, price, type and trading account information.

Notes:

1) A good example of a negative spike in the financial markets is the infamous stock market crash of Oct 19, 1987, when the DJIA plunged 22% in a single day. There are plenty of more common, less drastic examples which are periodically seen in individual stocks when unexpected news or events, such as better-than-expected earnings results, reaches investors.

2) This usage originates from the antiquated practice of placing paper trade order slips on a metal spike upon completion.

See also: Black Monday, Boom, Confirmation, Correction, Crash, Execution, Order, Pump and Dump

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Spike

Order ticket that shows the stock, price, number of shares, type, and account of the order. Origin: Practice of placing the ticket on a metal spike upon execution or cancellation. Spike is also a sudden, drastic increase in a company's share price.

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spike

A sudden, short-term change in the price of a security that just as suddenly returns close to its previous level. For example, a stock that has consistently traded in a $10 to $12 per share range may suddenly move to a price of $14 and then return to $12. The sudden rise to the $14 price is a spike.