What Is a Stock Screener? A stock screener is a set of tools that allow investors to quickly sort through the myriad of available stocks and increasing exchange-traded funds according to the investor’s own criteria. Stock screeners are most typically available on brokerage trading platforms (usually free), but there are also some independent subscription-based stock
What Is a Stock Split? A stock split happens when a company increases the number of its shares to boost the stock’s liquidity. Although the number of shares outstanding increases by a specific multiple, the total dollar value of all shares outstanding remains the same because a split does not fundamentally change the company’s value.
What Is a Stock Ticker Symbol? A stock symbol or ticker is a unique series of letters assigned to a security for trading purposes. Stocks listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) can have four or fewer letters. Nasdaq-listed securities can have up to five characters. Symbols are just a shorthand way of describing
What Is a Stock Trader? A stock trader is a person who attempts to profit from the purchase and sale of securities such as stock shares. Stock traders can be professionals trading on behalf of a financial company or individuals trading on behalf of themselves. Stock traders participate in the financial markets in various ways.
What Is a Stock Watcher? A stock watcher is a digital program that monitors trading activity on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Stock watchers track trades to identify patterns that indicate suspicious trading. Illegal trading can occur based on rumor, inside information, or illegal activities. Key Takeaways: Stock watchers are digital programs that monitor
What Is a Stop-Loss Order? A stop-loss order is a type of order used by traders to limit their loss or lock in a profit on an existing position. Traders can control their exposure to risk by placing a stop-loss order. Stop-loss orders are orders with instructions to close out a position by buying or
What Is a Stop Order? A stop order is one of the two main order types you will encounter in the market: stop and limit. The key for the stop order is that it is always executed in the direction that the price is moving. For instance, if the market is moving lower, the stop
What Is a Stop Payment on a Check? A stop payment is a formal request made to a financial institution to cancel a check or payment that has not yet been processed. A stop payment order is issued by the account holder and can only be enacted if the check or payment has not already been
What is Stopped Out? Stopped out is a term used in reference to the execution of a stop-loss order. Often times, the term stopped out is used when a trade creates a loss by reaching a user-defined trigger point where a market order is executed to protect the trader’s capital. This exit trade may be
What Is the STOCK Act? The Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act of 2012, or STOCK Act, became law in the wake of media reports critical of stock trading by members of the U.S. Congress, notably during the 2008 global financial crisis and the legislative debate on the Affordable Care Act in 2009-2010. The STOCK
