# Understanding Q in Nasdaq Ticker Symbols: Bankruptcy Indicator

## What Is Q as a Ticker Symbol?

On the Nasdaq exchange, a company's ticker symbol sometimes included a letter Q at the end to denote that the company was undergoing [bankruptcy](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/bankruptcy.asp) proceedings. This identifier, signifying "bankrupt," provided a clear signal to investors about the financial status of the issuer. While Nasdaq has since replaced this system with a broader Financial Status Indicator covering various compliance issues, the use of "Q" remains a historical reference point for understanding how financial distress was communicated in the stock market.

### Key Takeaways

*   The letter "Q" at the end of a Nasdaq ticker symbol formerly indicated that the company was undergoing bankruptcy proceedings.
*   Nasdaq no longer uses "Q" as an identifier and now employs the Financial Status Indicator to highlight issues, including noncompliance with listing requirements.
*   All Nasdaq-listed stocks typically have four-letter ticker symbols, with a fifth letter used for additional information about the company's status.
*   Nasdaq publicly lists companies that do not meet listing standards, allowing them five business days to address noncompliance issues.

## Understanding the Use of Q in Nasdaq Tickers

Companies on the Nasdaq have four-letter [ticker symbols](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/stocksymbol.asp) that represent the company. For example, Apple trades as [AAPL](https://www.investopedia.com/markets/quote?tvwidgetsymbol=AAPL), Microsoft as [MSFT](https://www.investopedia.com/markets/quote?tvwidgetsymbol=MSFT), and so on. Sometimes, a Nasdaq ticker symbol has five letters, with the fifth letter indicating specific information about the company.

Before the system changed, [Nasdaq added a Q to a company's ticker](https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/why-did-my-stocks-ticker-change/) to show it filed for bankruptcy. Nasdaq now uses the Financial Status Indicator, which marks key issues beyond just bankruptcy filings, including a failure to meet Nasdaq listing requirements. However, other markets and exchanges might still use "Q" to indicate bankruptcy.

> **Fast Fact**
>
> Q is one of two letters that the Nasdaq no longer uses as an identifier, with the other being E.

Each trading day, Nasdaq publishes a list of companies that, in one way or another, don't meet the listing standards. According to Nasdaq, a company is added to the list five business days after Nasdaq notifies the company about its noncompliance and is removed from the list one business day after Nasdaq determines that the company has regained compliance or no longer trades on Nasdaq.

_Investopedia does not provide tax, investment, or financial services and advice. The information is presented without consideration of the investment objectives, risk tolerance, or financial circumstances of any specific investor and might not be suitable for all investors. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal._

> **Article Sources**
>
> 1.  Nasdaq Trader. "[Nasdaq’s List of Fifth Character Symbol Suffixes](https://www.nasdaqtrader.com/content/technicalsupport/specifications/dataproducts/nasdaqfifthcharactersuffixlist.pdf)."
>     
> 2.  Nasdaq. "[Noncompliant Companies](https://listingcenter.nasdaq.com/noncompliantcompanylist.aspx)."