Ticker Symbol

A ticker symbol is a combination of letters used to identify a security or mutual fund. Each stock or mutual fund has a ticker symbol uniquely its own.

A ticker symbol consists of 1-5 letters depending on where the stocks are traded. If trading through the NYSE or AMEX, each ticker symbol has one to three letters. An example would be: Charles Schwab (SCH). A Nasdaq ticker symbol usually has four to five letters. For example: Apple Computer (AAPL). The ticker symbol for a mutual fund is identified by five letters ending with X. For example, the ticker symbol for Fidelity Magellan is FMAGX.

If you want information on a particular stock or company, simply enter its ticker symbol into the symbol box on an internet financial site.