2.12What is a stock symbol?
1What is it?
A stock symbol (or ticker) is a short code used to identify a company on an exchange.
2Why does it exist?
Typing "Housing Development Finance Corporation Bank Limited" every time would be painful. Symbols are short and unique on each exchange.
3Stock market example
Examples on NSE: RELIANCE (Reliance Industries), HDFCBANK, ICICIBANK, INFY (Infosys), TCS, ITC, BHARTIARTL (Bharti Airtel). After the 2025 demerger of Tata Motors, the passenger vehicle business trades as TMPV and the commercial vehicle business as TMCV.
4Risks
- Similar names can trick you: always double-check the company name and exchange before buying.
5Quick revision
- A symbol is a short company code.
- NSE uses letters; BSE also uses 6-digit codes.
- Always verify the full company name.
6Knowledge check
Q1. What is Infosys’s NSE symbol?Show answer
INFY.
Q2. Why are symbols useful?Show answer
They are short and unique, so orders are fast and accurate.
Q3. What should you double-check before placing an order?Show answer
The full company name and exchange.