Decimalization

By
Will Kenton
Full Bio
Will Kenton is an expert on the economy and investing laws and regulations. He previously held senior editorial roles at Investopedia and Kapitall Wire and holds a MA in Economics from The New School for Social Research and Doctor of Philosophy in English literature from NYU.
Learn about our editorial policies
Updated May 11, 2022
Reviewed by Akhilesh Ganti

What Is Decimalization?

Decimalization is a system where security prices are quoted using a decimal format rather than fractions. For example, this is a decimal trading quote: $34.25. Using fractions, the same quote would appear as $34 1/4. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ordered all stock markets within the U.S. to convert to decimalization by April 9, 2001.

Since then, all price quotes have appeared in the decimal trading format. Before 2001, markets in the United States utilized fractions in price quotes. The switch was made to decimalization to conform to standard international practices and to make it easier for investors to interpret and react to changing price quotes.

Key Takeaways

  • Decimalization is a price quoting system where security prices are represented using decimals instead of fractions.
  • This is an example of a decimal trading quote: $25.75; this same quote under a fractional quote system would be $25 3/4.
  • The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) mandated all exchanges convert to a decimalization system no later than April 9, 2001.
  • The reason for the change was to conform to international trading standards and to make it easier for traders to interpret prices and place trades.

Understanding Decimalization

Decimalization has led to tighter spreads because of the corresponding smaller price increments and movements. For example, prior to decimalization, one-sixteenth (1/16) of one dollar was the smallest price movement that could be represented in a price quote (this is approximately six cents or $0.0625). With decimalization, the minimum price movement is now one cent, or $0.01, providing a greater number of price levels and allowing for tighter spreads between the bid and the ask levels for trading instruments.

Prior to implementing decimalization in 2001, the smallest amount by which a security could be priced was called a teenie, which under the fractional system was a sixteenth. Some traders now use the word "teenie" when they mean one cent.

The roots for the stock market's fractional minimum pricing system can be traced back to the Spanish empire's use of silver piece-of-eight coins, which American colonists would cut up into eight bits to make change.

History of Decimalization for U.S.-Based Securities

On January 28, 2000, the Securities and Exchange Commission ("Commission") ordered the following exchanges to discuss, develop, and submit to the SEC a plan to implement decimal pricing in the equities and options markets beginning no later than July 3, 2000:

  • American Stock Exchange LLC ("AMEX")
  • Boston Stock Exchange, Inc. ("BSE")
  • Chicago Board Options Exchange, Inc. ("CBOE")
  • Chicago Stock Exchange, Inc. ("CHX")
  • Cincinnati Stock Exchange, Inc. ("CSE")
  • National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD")
  • New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE")
  • Pacific Exchange, Inc. ("PCX")
  • Philadelphia Stock Exchange, Inc. ("PHLX")

The change started in mid-1997 when the SEC urged the exchanges to begin pricing in decimals. The Securities Industry Association and the equities and options markets formed a Decimalization Steering Committee in July 1998 to develop a decimalization implementation plan and coordinate a smooth transition.

Decimalization Phase-In

The exchanges recommended a phased-in implementation, consisting of four phases, for the conversion to decimal pricing to reduce the risk to the investing public, issuers, exchanges, clearing and depository organizations, and member firms. The phased-in implementation was thought to be the most effective way to ensure that markets would continue to operate in an efficient, orderly, and fair manner during the conversion process.

This implementation period (the "Phase-In Period") began on August 28, 2000, and ended with full implementation of decimal pricing for all equities and options by April 9, 2001. The New York Stock Exchange and the American Stock Exchange switched to decimalization on Jan. 29, 2001.

Article Sources
Investopedia requires writers to use primary sources to support their work. These include white papers, government data, original reporting, and interviews with industry experts. We also reference original research from other reputable publishers where appropriate. You can learn more about the standards we follow in producing accurate, unbiased content in our editorial policy.

  1. U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. "Commission Notice: Decimals Implementation Plan for the Equities and Options Markets."

  2. U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. "Testimony Concerning the Effects of Decimalization on the Securities Markets."

  3. Stuart Berg Flexner. "Listening to America," Pages 196–197. Simon & Schuster, 1984.

  4. U.S. Government Publishing Office. "Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change and Amendment Nos. 1 and 2 Thereto by the American Stock Exchange LLC Amending Exchange Equities and Options Rules to Provide for Decimal Pricing."

  5. U.S. Government Publishing Office. "Securities Markets: Decimal Pricing Has Contributed to Lower Trading Costs and a More Challenging Trading Environment."

Take the Next Step to Invest
×
The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Investopedia receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where listings appear. Investopedia does not include all offers available in the marketplace.
Service
Name
Description