The summarize a stock market quote, it is a basic collection of data investors must comprehend to achieve their goals in the stock market. A stock market quote lists the prices for certain stocks at a particular point within the trading day. This essential information lets an investor know how to handle their investments wisely.
In days gone by, stocks were quoted in fractions. Today most stock exchanges express values in decimals. Stock market quotes are available both online and in daily newspapers. Stock quotes are regularly updated throughout the trading day.
What exactly do the numbers and symbols in the stock quotes mean? Most are actually simple to understand although they may look overwhelming. Sometimes looking at these columns of data gets confusing for newbies in the stock market.
Consider these common numbers and symbols in the stock quotes and their meanings:
Newspaper Stock Market Quotes
The easiest format to follow is the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) format. Below are the columns used for newspaper stock market quotes with a brief explanation of each:
YTD % CHG - The Year-To-Date Percentage Change. Represents the stocks price percentage change for the year. The year-to-date percentage change is adjusted for stock splits and dividends over 10 percent.
Stock (SYM) - Where the stock name and symbols are found. Stock names are usually abbreviated with the symbols printed in bold. SYM are not printed in all newspapers.
Yield % - These are other disbursements paid to stockholders as a percentage of the price of the stock.
52-Week HI & LO - Two numbers listed in the column representing the highest and lowest price the stock was traded for within the past year. The previous trading day is not included.
PE - The Price To Earnings Ratio is the earnings per share over the closing price.
DIV - Dividend which reflects the yearly distribution rate based on the most recent regular disbursement for the stock.
VOL 100s - The sales volume expressed with two zeros missing.
CLOSE - The final price the stock traded for on a particular day which is no indication of the price the stock will open at the next trading day.
NET CHANGE - The amount a stock closed for today versus yesterday.
Footnotes - Notations indicating any extraordinary circumstances in the stock listing including highs and lows, first day of trading and unusual dividends.
Online Stock Market Quotes
Online stock market resources cover the same information as newspaper stock quotes. The major difference between online stock resources and newspapers is the access to "live" information. Often the newspapers features stock quotes from yesterday while online resources provide updated information throughout the entire trading day.
Having access to online stock market quotes gives investors the latest information from home or office at their convenience. Knowing the most recent information about stock market investments through online resources helps investors make the most advantageous trades.
Once new traders have a solid understanding of what all the numbers and symbols really mean, stock market quotes provide an absolute wealth of information regarding wise stock market investment.
If you enjoyed this article about stock market symbols, please visit Stock Investing 101 for more free stock investing tips and 'how to' information: http://stockinvesting101.net
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- Three Ways To Obtain Business Finance Money
- Investing Saving Finance Money-make A Fortune With Your Investments
- Finance, Money, and Investing Information
- Business Finance: Money to Set you Free Financially
- Cheap Personal Finance: Money at Low Rate for Personal Needs
- 4 Things You Can Do to Control Personal Finance, and not Have it Control You
- Business Car Finance: Invest in your Commercial Vehicle
- Funds Through Development Finance Companies: Advantages
The Top Ten Reasons NOT To Plan For Retirement..
By: Allen Neuenschwander | 31/12/2009If you've ever seen David Letterman you know he's made the Top Ten list famous. The guy's been doing the same routine for more than 15 years and it's still the most popular part of his show.
Hidden Dow Futures Secret
By: Ahmad Hassam | 31/12/2009Knowing this Dow Futures never lose trade secret can make you incredible profits. Something interesting happens almost every few days to the Dow Index for many years that can make you rich. Trading Dow futures is the best method to use this hidden secret unknown to many. Just know the hidden secret and the exact dow futures trading algorithm that can make you rich!
Forex Trading - Start Out With a Demo Or Micro Account to Test Your Trading System
By: John Eather | 31/12/2009Use A demo or Micro Account to Test Your Trading System - It may seem difficult but resist the urge to start trading with large amounts of real money. You should get some practice first and perfect your skills using a Forex demo account. You will use the demo account as your "acid test". If your demo account isn't growing, then your trading methods are unlikely to make you a profit with your real-money account.
Government Grants Application Help And Tips
By: Coleta Stewart | 31/12/2009Turning that government grants application into cold, hard cash is not difficult at all if you know what you are doing. Use the tips in this article to get started.
Debt Solutions And Debt Advice Are Readily Available.
By: Liz Moir | 30/12/2009For those struggling under the burden of debt there is always help available. For those in serious debt, debt management may well be their perfect debt solution to make them debt free.
The Flexibility Of The Secured Loan
By: Liz Moir | 30/12/2009There are all kinds of secured loans both personal and business., They are a good low interest way for a property owner to borrow.
Don't Trade More Than 20 Minutes A Day!
By: Ahmad Hassam | 30/12/2009Start trading with the aim of trading not more than 20 minutes a day and still making 5 figures monthly part time income. Successful traders do just that. Sitting in front of your computer for hours will never make you a good trader. It will only make you tired and lose heart. What you need is a flexible trading system that can show how to trade less than 20 minutes each day!
When Should You Invest in the Stock Market?
By: Jason Creation | 30/12/2009Most of us tend to get mesmerized by the talks going around us about the profits that people are making through stock market investments. Although one may not be aware of what the stock market is all about, but just by listening to some media updates or someone's massive success...
What You Need to Know About ETF Trading
By: Jack Benson | 31/08/2009 | FinanceIn the investing world, exchange traded funds (ETFs) are the latest and greatest. Although they've been available for more than 10 years, it wasn't until recently that the popularity of ETFs took off. ETFs trade on the stock exchange as if they were stock. Generally in the past they have tracked...
Crash Course Into Learning About Stock Market Quotes
By: Jack Benson | 24/09/2008 | FinanceThe summarize a stock market quote, it is a basic collection of data investors must comprehend to achieve their goals in the stock market. A stock market quote lists the prices for certain stocks at a particular point within the trading day. This essential information lets an investor know how...
Do You Know How Wall Street Began?
By: Jack Benson | 18/09/2008 | FinanceThe stock market is actually an avenue from which the stock of companies is purchased and sold. Some people still believe that the stock market and Wall Street are one and the same. However, Wall Street in New York is just a single example of a stock market. When you review the...
Solid Tips For Reducing the Risk of Stock Market Investing
By: Jack Benson | 10/09/2008 | FinanceYou finally have money to call your own. Now that you have your own money, you naturally want to see it grow. Maybe saving money in a bank simply doesn't entice you because there is so little growth potential. You want something with more risk so you have the potential...
The How and Why Behind Online Stock Investing
By: Jack Benson | 29/08/2008 | FinanceDo you want to get involved in stock trading? The modern and easy way to do it is online. Let's explore a bit of the history of stock trading. The first continuous stock exchange trading took place in Amsterdam during the 17th century. Before this stock exchange, during the 13th century...
Goal-Setting Advice For Investing in the Stock Market
By: Jack Benson | 18/08/2008 | FinanceYou've heard all the popular cliches. Remember the statement "money doesn't grow on trees"? How about the famous line that it "takes money to make money"? Even if they didn't make sense to you before, they will now that you're interested in successful stock trading because investing...
6 Basic Strategies For Successful Stock Market Investing
By: Jack Benson | 08/08/2008 | FinanceStock trading is a volatile market with no precise way to continually experience ongoing profits. No investor can yield ongoing growth year after year, with every stock purchased because it is impossible statistically. The stock market is unpredictable so there is no surefire way to ensure growth with all investments. Other...
The Importance of Timing in Stock Market Investing
By: Jack Benson | 02/08/2008 | FinanceWhen it comes to stock market investing, timing is everything. The only option that exists for a successful stock market investor is to aim for the best timing for maximum profits and fewer losses. Companies issue their stocks to raise capital and invest in the business. Stocks are made available to...