There is currently a liquid and active market for Guidant shares. Instead, stock prices will be quoted in dollars and cents. The NYSE's conversion to decimal pricing is part of an industry-wide transition that began more than three years ago. Driving the change is a desire to make prices more readily understood by investors. The new system also may reduce the bid-asked spread, the difference between what a buyer is bidding and a seller is asking for a stock.
Decimalization also brings the United States into conformity with international practices.