How it works
Each exchange hands out unique symbols on its own market. The same company can have different symbols on different exchanges, and some sites add a suffix for the exchange (for example .RO for Bucharest or .DE for Xetra). When you look up a stock, check the exchange and the currency too, so you do not buy another share class or a different instrument with a similar name.
Worked example
Three symbols, on two exchanges:
On einvestitii.ro you can search by symbol or by company name.
Worth knowing
US symbols usually have 1-5 letters. Single-letter ones are rare and old (F for Ford, T for AT&T).
When a ticker symbol can fool you
Similar names: investors have bought the wrong company by mistake because its symbol looked like that of a company in the news. Different classes: GOOGL and GOOG are both Alphabet, with different voting rights.
Related terms
Questions about a ticker symbol
Why does a company have more than one symbol?
Either it is listed on several exchanges, or it has several share classes with different rights.
These explanations are for information only. They are not a recommendation to buy or sell.
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