Ticker Symbol Reservations
Best Practice Summary

Companies reserve a ticker symbol during the initial public offering process. Ticker symbols are the one to five letter abbreviations representing a company's name on a ticker, a television screen or newspaper. The symbol should be representative of the company's name. For instance, if the company's name was Walt Disney, then the possible combination would be anything beginning with W or D or has a W or D in the ticker symbol. NYSE companies' ticker symbols consist of one to three letters. AMEX generally uses 2-3 letter ticker symbols, while companies listed on Nasdaq have symbols consisting of four to five letters.

New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)
Ticker Symbol Reservation Procedures

To reserve a ticker symbol with the NYSE, a company requests a few ticker symbols via telephone call the NYSE (212-656-6075). The ticker symbol will be researched and the requesting company or law firm will be notified via phone or e-mail which ticker symbol will be reserved.

American Stock Exchange (AMEX)
Ticker Symbol Reservation Procedures

Lisa Woliner is the Symbol Coordinator at the AMEX. E-mail with a request that consists of:

• Company name
• Five (5) variations of a possible ticker symbol
• Address and telephone number of company's principal executive offices
• Attorney name, firm name, address, phone and fax numbers

Lisa works to find the best possible available match by checking all databases, vendor services and surveying other exchanges. Once the company agrees upon an available symbol, Lisa assigns the company and listing representative to the AMEX who contacts the company or law firm. A ticker symbol will not be reserved for longer than one month without filing a listing application. Lisa can be reached at (212) 306-2064.

NASDAQ
Ticker Symbol Reservation Procedures

NASDAQ may assign a fifth letter to a ticker symbol as an identifier distinguishing the security. Nasdaq's web site provides meanings for the fifth letters. Ticker symbols may be obtained online. The following information must be provided:

• Company name
  
  
• Symbol to be reserved
  
  
• Address and telephone number of company's principal executive offices
  
  
• Company web site
  
  
• CEO and CFO name, direct phone number, e-mail address
  
  
• Is company applying for listing on the NASDAQ National Market, NASDAQ SmallCap Market or OTC Bulletin Board (OTCBB)?
  
  
• Is company private, publicly traded (provide market currently trading on and symbol) or subsidiary (provide parent company name and symbol if applicable)
  
  
• Expected lead manager
  
  
• Attorney name, law firm, address, phone and fax numbers

Upon completion of the required information, a symbol of confirmation will be sent. Symbol reservations are valid for 6 months, with no extensions, renewals or re-reservations. Upon receipt of the NASDAQ listing application, the symbol reservation will be held, pending review of the application. General information phone number is (212) 709-2410.

Ticker Symbol Searches

Ticker Symbol Look Up (by Company Name)

Ticker Symbol Look Up (AMEX)

Ticker Symbol Look Up (NASDAQ)

Ticker Symbol Look Up (NYSE)

International Companies, Market Information and Ticker Symbols
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American Stock Exchange

AMEX is the second largest floor-based exchange in the U.S. next to NYSE. Trading on floor-based exchanges is conducted through centralized systems combining computer delivered orders with the liquidity of customer driven markets. AMEX members represent U.S. leading brokerage houses.

The stock market was established to maintain and regulate the supply, demand and price of a company's stock. Factors that generally affect market activity and price are (a) company's products, management, past performance, future expectations; (b) industry specific factors; (c) popular and industry trends; (d) overall market condition that is easily affected by external factors such as international or political events. A company chooses a stock market by determining which market or exchange will make their stock most attractive to investors. The selected market also needs to continue to meet their needs as the company grows. Stock markets vary based on listing requirements and maintenance standards, market structure and trading mechanisms.

AMEX Listing Information and Forms (click on "equities" in the left navigation bar for information on listing)

NASDAQ

National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) was created through the Maloney Act of 1938 which amended the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (section 15A) to allow for self-regulation by securities firms that are involved in the Over-the-counter (OTC) market.

NASD was formed on July 20, 1939 and approved by the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) in August of the same year. It was established to develop rules and regulations of its members and conduct regulatory reviews of members’ business activities, discipline violators and designs. Since NASD is subject to overview by the SEC, any revisions to NASD’s rules or bylaws must be reported on the registration statement filed with the SEC.

NASDAQ, NASD Dispute Resolutions and AMEX are subsidiaries of NASD. NASDAQ is the world's largest electronic stock market. Trading is executed through a sophisticated computer and telecommunications network rather than on a trading floor.

Ticker Symbol Directory

Ticker Symbol Change Lookup

NASDAQ Global Markets

NASDAQ Listing Information

New York Stock Exchange

The NYSE is the largest equities market in the U.S. and has existed for over 200 years and has the distinction of the "opening bell" and "closing bell" which is an honor reserved for distinguished guests.

The stock market was established to maintain and regulate the supply, demand and price of a company's stock. Factors that generally affect market activity and price are (a) company's products, management, past performance, future expectations; (b) industry specific factors; (c) popular and industry trends; (d) overall market condition that is easily affected by external factors such as international or political events. A company chooses a stock market by determining which market or exchange will make their stock most attractive to investors. The selected market also needs to continue to meet their needs as the company grows. Stock markets vary based on listing requirements and maintenance standards, market structure and trading mechanisms.

NYSE Listing Standards