Basics

What is Ticker Symbol?

The short code used to identify a stock

Full Explanation

Every publicly traded company has a unique abbreviation called a ticker symbol. It's how the market identifies that company. You type it into any trading app to find the stock.

Real-World Example

Apple = AAPL, Tesla = TSLA, Google = GOOGL, Microsoft = MSFT.

Pro Tip

Ticker symbols are always a few letters long — usually 1 to 5 characters.

Related Basics Terms

Bear Market

When stocks are falling

One unit of a stock

IPO

When a company goes public for the first time

Broker

The app or platform where you buy stocks

View all Basics terms →

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