ticker symbol

Ticker Symbol

An arrangement of characters (usually letters) representing a particular security listed on an exchange or otherwise traded publicly. When a company issues securities to the public marketplace, it selects an available ticker symbol for its securities which investors use to place trade orders. Every listed security has a unique ticker symbol, facilitating the vast array of trade orders that flow through the financial markets every day.

Notes:

Stock symbols are the most recognized type of ticker symbol. Stocks listed and traded on U.S. exchanges such as the NYSE have symbols with up to three letters. Nasdaq-listed stocks have four-letter symbols.

Ticker symbols for options are structured to represent the underlying stock ticker they are based on and also their expiration date and contract type (either a put or a call option). Mutual fund ticker symbols are usually alphanumeric and end with the letter X to differentiate them from stock symbols.

See also: Delisting, Dual Listing, Exchange, Listed, Mutual Fund, Option, Stock Symbol, Tick, Ticker Tape

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Ticker symbol

An abbreviation assigned to a security for trading purposes.

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ticker symbol

The abbreviation by which a security appears on stock quotation machines. For example, T represents AT&T, GY represents GenCorp, C represents Citicorp, and CVG represents Convergys. Booklets containing the symbols are available at most brokerage offices, and symbols can also be found on many Internet sites.