Trading
Ticker Symbol
A unique series of letters assigned to a security for trading purposes, such as AAPL for Apple Inc.
Example
AAPL is Apple's ticker symbol, TSLA is Tesla's — a short, unique code exchanges and brokers use instead of full company names to identify a security when trading.
Common Misconception
Similar-looking tickers can be confused for each other — investors occasionally buy the wrong stock because a ticker resembled a well-known company's symbol, so it's worth double-checking the full company name before placing an order.
Why It Matters
Knowing a company's ticker is the first practical step to looking up a quote, placing a trade, or researching a stock on any brokerage platform or financial site.