M

Dictionary Says

Definition of 'M'

The fifth letter of a Nasdaq stock symbol that specifies the issue is the firm's fourth class of preferred shares. Securities that are listed on the Nasdaq exchange have four or five letters.

When a fifth letter appears, it identifies the issue as being one that is other than a single issue of common stock or capital stock. A "P" indicates that the issue is the company's first class of preferred shares; an "O" indicates that the issue is the company's second class of preferred shares; "N" indicates the third class of preferred shares. "M" indicates the fourth class.
Investopedia Says

Investopedia explains 'M'

Preferred shares give holders a class of ownership that has a higher claim on assets and earnings than holders of the company's common stock. Dividends for preferred shares are paid out before dividends to common stockholders.

However, preferred shareholders generally do not have any voting rights. Dividends for preferred shares are fixed; that is, they do not fluctuate like the dividends for the company's common shares. Nasdaq symbols utilize other fifth-letter identifiers such as "A" for class A shares; "B" for class B shares, "C" for issuer qualification exception; "D" for new issue; "E" for delinquent.

Articles Of Interest

  1. Translating Ticker Talk

    Stock tickers can say a lot about a company in just a few letters. Find out how to read them.
  2. Understanding Rights Issues

    Not sure what to do if a company invites you to buy more shares at discount? Here are some of your options.
  3. What does it mean when a stock symbol has a .PK after it?

    The .PK is an example of a suffix representing where the security is traded - an over-the-counter (OTC) network or an international exchange. The major U.S. exchanges such as the NYSE, Nasdaq ...
  4. What are the fifth-letter identifiers on the Nasdaq?

    All of the companies traded on the Nasdaq have four-lettered tickers, which are representative of the actual company. For example, the ticker symbol for Nasdaq-traded Microsoft is MSFT. However, ...
  5. War's Influence On Wall Street

    Blitzkrieg? Dawn raids? Sounds like the markets and the battlefield have a few things in common.
  6. Pay Attention To The Proxy Statement

    Don't overlook this overview of a company's well-being.
  7. Lessons On Corporate Dividend Payout And Retention Ratio

    Why are dividend payout and retention ratios important to consider when investing in company stock? What companies have high ratios?What constitutes a high dividend payout and retention ratio? ...
  8. Conglomerates: Cash Cows Or Corporate Chaos?

    Huge companies may not be as infallible as previously assumed. Find out why bigger isn't always better.
  9. Cashing In On Corporate Restructuring

    Companies use M&As and spinoffs to boost profits - learn how you can do the same.
  10. A Peek Into Shareholder Meetings

    Shareholder meetings can be glamorous, exciting or controversial, but not particularly revelational. Here's a quick look at what to expect.
comments powered by Disqus
Marketplace
Hot Definitions
  1. Network Effect

    A phenomenon whereby a good or service becomes more valuable when more people use it. The internet is a good example...
  2. Racketeering

    Racketeering refers to criminal activity that is performed to benefit an organization such as a crime syndicate. Examples of racketeering activity include...
  3. Lawful Money

    Any form of currency issued by the United States Treasury and not the Federal Reserve System, including gold and silver coins, Treasury notes, and Treasury bonds. Lawful money stands in contrast to fiat money, to which the government assigns value although it has no intrinsic value of its own and is not backed by reserves.
  4. Fast Market Rule

    A rule in the United Kingdom that permits market makers to trade outside quoted ranges, when an exchange determines that market movements are so sharp that quotes cannot be kept current.
  5. Absorption Rate

    The rate at which available homes are sold in a specific real estate market during a given time period.
  6. Yellow Sheets

    A United States bulletin that provides updated bid and ask prices as well as other information on over-the-counter (OTC) corporate bonds...
Trading Center