Fun-ky Stock Symbols

Who says corporations have no sense of humor? It’s true that most companies’ stock symbols are chosen specifically to be similar to their names and therefore, easy to remember. For example, Microsoft’s stock symbol is MSFT, Johnson and Johnson’s symbol is JNJ, Procter & Gamble’s is PG. Other companies try to be more creative when it comes to choosing their stock symbol. We have put together a list of companies whose stock symbols are a bit quirky but still manage somehow to provide a reflection of what their business is all about.

BID – Sotheby’s. This is an auction house for art, antiques, jewelry, fine furniture, memorabilia, and other luxury items. How does a buyer purchase items at an auction? He BIDS on them.

BTU – Peabody Energy is the largest private sector coal mining company in the world, and uses as its stock symbol the universally recognized symbol for Energy – British Thermal Units when spelled out in full.

BUD – Anheuser-Busch brews over sixty types of beers and other alcoholic beverages which include Michelob, Busch, and of course Budweiser; (“This BUD’s for you.”) They also distribute some imported beers like Grolsch.

CAKE – The Cheesecake Factory is a casual dining restaurant chain that serves appetizers, pastas, meat and fish dishes and, of course, their famous dessert – cheesecake (50 varieties). Its symbol is designed to make your mouth water.

CHIC – Charlotte Russe Holdings is a specialty retailer of young women’s fashions. The stores include Charlotte Russe and Rampage located in malls throughout the US.

CLUB – Town Sports International Holdings Inc. operates a chain of fitness clubs. Most are in the New York area (New York Sports Clubs), although they do have some in Boston, Washington DC, Philadelphia, and even a handful in Switzerland.

DNA – Genentech is a biotech company that uses recombinant DNA technology to discover new ways to treat disease. What is recombinant DNA?

EAT – Brinker International is a franchise owner and operator of restaurant chains that include Chili’s Grill & Bar, Romano’s Macaroni Grill, On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, Maggiano’s Little Italy. Customers can EAT, drink, and be merry in a number of venues that offer tasty fare!

FUN –Cedar Fair Entertainment Company owns amusement parks. Apart from flagship Cedar Point, these include Knott’s Berry Farm, Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, Great America, Kings Dominion, and Canada’s Wonderland in Ontario. Investors hope this one isn’t too much of a roller coaster ride.

GAS – Jumpin’ Jack Flash it’s a natural gas distribution company! It operates in northern Illinois. But that’s not all. Nicor Inc. also owns Tropical Shipping, which has its operations throughout the Caribbean.

GEEK – Internet America Inc. – a Texas-based internet service provide. It is a penny stock so aspiring geeks beware!

HOG – Harley-Davidson Inc. – both customers and stockholders in this motorcycle manufacturing company often consider themselves in “Hog Heaven.”

LEO – Dreyfus Strategic Municipals Inc. is a closed-end fund that invests in long-term municipal bonds. Dreyfus’ logo features a lion, hence the stock symbol.

LUV – Southwest Airlines – Their stock symbol goes back to the place it all started for this airline – Dallas’ Love Field – but has the additional advantage of an implication that they go beyond mere friendly skies.

NUT – ML Macadamia Orchards LP is a Hawaii-based macadamia nut grower which boasts it is the largest in the world. This stock brings out the nut in every investor/trader.

PAY – VeriFone Holdings Inc. sells software for handling payment transactions online. “The way to pay” is their motto.

POS – Catalina Marketing Corp. – This company’s in-store coupon printing machines base their offers on the customers’ purchases identified at the “point of sale,” hence the symbol. The POS symbol will disappear shortly as Catalina Marketing has agreed to be acquired by private equity firm Hellman & Friedman.

RIG – It should be no surprise that the company that claims this symbol is Transocean Inc., the world’s largest offshore drilling contractor. Interestingly, their web address is [http://www.deepwater.com].

SAM – The Boston Beer Company – Brewer of Samuel Adams beers, which are named after the patriot, Massachusetts politician, and signatory to the Declaration of Independence. Ironically, Sam Adams really was a brewer, but a rather lackluster one and his brewery failed in 1764.

SEA – Star Maritime Acquisition Corp. – a company set up to acquire shipping industry assets.

TAP – Molson Coors Brewing Co. – another brewing company chooses a cutesy stock symbol. Is it perhaps something they are drinking? It was created by the merger of Coors of the United States and Molson of Canada. It produces Molson Canadian, the popular Coors Light, Carling, which is Britain’s best selling lager beer, and Zima malt beverage.

TAXI – Medallion Financial Corp. – this specialist finance company’s core business is the financing of the purchase or lease of taxicab medallions in cities such as New York, Boston, Chicago, Newark, Philadelphia and Baltimore.

USA – Liberty All Star Equity Fund – This diversified closed-end investment company wraps itself up in the red, white & blue.

YUM – Yum! Brands, Inc. – A&W restaurants, KFC, Long John Silver’s, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell – if any of these tickle your taste buds then you may agree that their brands are Yum!

ZZ – Sealy Corporation is a bedding manufacturer whose stock symbol reflects their hopes you will sleep soundly on their products. Investors in Sealy, however, hope that this stock does not snooze.