[header] How to track stocks [title] Determine the ticker symbol for the stock you want to track. [step] The ticker symbol will be a combination of up to five letters, often abbreviating or suggesting the name of the company or one of its products. This is how the stock is identified on stock charts and tickers. 
For example, the symbol for apple is aapl. [substeps] For help determining a stock to track, see how to choose stocks.