Cusip to Ticker Mapping Explained

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Understanding the basics of CUSIP to Ticker mapping is crucial for investors and financial professionals. A CUSIP is a unique nine-character identifier assigned to a security, while a Ticker is a shorter, more recognizable symbol used to represent a security on an exchange.

The CUSIP and Ticker systems serve different purposes, but they're interconnected. CUSIPs are used for regulatory and administrative purposes, while Tickers are used for trading and identification.

CUSIPs are issued by Standard & Poor's, a leading provider of financial data and analytics. They're used to identify a wide range of securities, including stocks, bonds, and mutual funds.

The CUSIP to Ticker mapping process involves matching the unique CUSIP identifier with its corresponding Ticker symbol. This process is essential for ensuring accurate and efficient trading and investment activities.

What Is a CUSIP?

A CUSIP number is a unique identifier for a specific security. It's used to distinguish between each security traded within public markets.

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A CUSIP number itself identifies the issuing company and the issue of the security. This makes it a crucial piece of information for investors and traders alike.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission describes a CUSIP number as a "unique identifier for a specific security." It's a way to create a concrete distinction between each security.

Here's a breakdown of what a CUSIP number can tell you:

  • The exact type of security it references
  • Who issued the security
  • What type of security it is (e.g., a corporate bond or common stock)

CUSIP numbers are used to create a clear and concise way to identify securities, making it easier for investors to track and analyze their investments.

How to Locate

Locating a CUSIP number can be a straightforward process. You can find it through the Electronic Municipal Market Access (EMMA) system, which is run by the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB).

Companies often list their CUSIP numbers on official statements, such as confirmations of purchase or periodic financial statements. This information is publicly available.

You can also search for a CUSIP number on a company's official website, but this isn't always up-to-date. It's like searching for a needle in a haystack, you never know what you'll find.

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Using a search engine like Google can help you locate a CUSIP number, but it's not the most reliable method. You can try searching for the company name along with the word "CUSIP" to see if any results come up.

Financial websites like Fidelity Investments and QuantumOnline also have search tools that can help you find a CUSIP number. Fidelity requires a registered account to access this information, while QuantumOnline does not.

CUSIP vs ISIN

CUSIP and ISIN are two important identifiers used in the financial world. They serve the same purpose, but with some key differences.

CUSIP numbers are the standard in the US and Canada, while ISIN is used internationally, including in Europe and worldwide. ISINs have 12 characters and are assigned and managed by the International Organization for Standardization, based in Switzerland.

ISINs have letters as their first two characters, which tell you the country of the asset's origin. For example, the ISIN of the Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. stock is INE242A01010, where "IN" indicates the identifier for Indian entities.

The rest of the ISIN number identifies the issuer, the type of product, and includes a check digit. American investors who want to buy foreign shares and bonds might need to look up their ISINs to fill out required documents.

Why Are CUSIPs Important?

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CUSIP numbers are unique identifiers attached to listed stocks and bonds, providing a standardized method for identifying securities to facilitate the clearance and settlement of trading market transactions.

Knowing a CUSIP number can make it easier to conduct in-depth fundamental analysis, especially for fixed-income securities which are often harder to find and distinguish between.

Having a CUSIP number can help you research a financial product, getting data on who is the exact owner, what the exact type of the financial product is, and some other up-to-date information.

You'll need to provide CUSIP numbers for your investments on various financial forms, such as when filling out forms for your broker, the IRS, and other institutions.

CUSIP numbers are used by companies to track whom they should send dividend payments and how much, so knowing a CUSIP can tell you the exact yield of any dividend stock or bond.

Having all the CUSIPs ready can save you time and effort when dealing with financial paperwork and forms.

Finding and Looking Up a CUSIP

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Finding and looking up a CUSIP number can be a bit tricky, but don't worry, I've got you covered.

You can find a CUSIP number by requesting a stock quote on a broker's website, which often includes the CUSIP. This is one of the simplest ways to do it.

CUSIP numbers are also found on brokerage statements sent to clients, or on physical stock or bond certificates if you own them. Certain bond CUSIPs may be obtained through the Municipal Securities Rule-Making Board via the Electronic Municipal Market Access system.

If you're looking for a CUSIP number for a specific company or security, you can try searching online for a CUSIP lookup tool. One option is OpenFIGI's CUSIP Lookup.

Unfortunately, the database of CUSIP numbers is owned and operated by Standard & Poor's, and accessing the whole database requires a fee. This can be a bit of a barrier, but there are still ways to find the CUSIP number you need.

Here are a few options for finding a CUSIP number:

  • Request a stock quote on a broker's website
  • Check brokerage statements or physical stock or bond certificates
  • Search online for a CUSIP lookup tool
  • Obtain the number through the Municipal Securities Rule-Making Board via the Electronic Municipal Market Access system

Public vs Private Investing with CUSIP

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Public investing requires a CUSIP number, but private investing does not. This is because public trading media and clearing are involved in public investing, making a CUSIP necessary.

Private investments, on the other hand, are not transacted through public trading media and don't require clearing, so a CUSIP is not needed. This is why startups can sell shares directly to angel investors without a CUSIP number.

Hedge funds are a great example of entities that avoid the administrative legwork of getting a CUSIP number. They're not publicly traded and can only be bought directly, which spares them from sharing their strategies and disclosing their actions to the public.

Companies that do go public with an IPO, however, need to get a CUSIP number, which requires administrative legwork and following specific regulations.

Not having a CUSIP number can give hedge funds an edge over their competition, but it also means they can withhold information when it's advantageous. Some hedge funds do disclose their strategies, though, which can influence the markets.

CUSIP Format and Assignments

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CUSIP numbers are assigned in a specific format, consisting of 9 digits and sometimes letters. The first 6 digits identify the issuer, such as a company or government agency.

The 7th and 8th characters determine the type of financial product, like a common stock or bond. Debt securities like bonds typically have letters, while equity securities use numbers.

Each asset type has its unique 2-digit code, but it's near impossible to remember them all. Letters are converted into numbers based on their position in the alphabet.

CUSIP Global Services is responsible for assigning all CUSIP numbers, and issuers can apply online through their website. The application fee is $100, and an annual administration fee of $80 is required to maintain the status.

The application process is straightforward, but it does require some documentation about the business and a completed form without errors.

Format

The CUSIP format is quite interesting. The first 6 digits identify the unique name of the entity that issued the security.

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These numbers are often referred to as the base, and their sole purpose is to identify the issuer. I've seen this base used to distinguish between various companies and government agencies.

The 7th and 8th characters are used to identify the issue or type of financial product. These two numbers tell you if something is a common stock, ETF, mutual fund, bond, or whatever else.

Each asset type has its own 2-digit code, making it easy to tell them apart. However, there are dozens of these codes, so it's near impossible to remember them all.

Debt securities like bonds typically have letters, while equity securities use numbers. For example, double-A rated bonds have the identifier "AA", while common stock has the identifier "10".

If a company issues multiple bonds with the same rating, they're identified with a suffix, such as "A2" or "A3". The letter "O" is never used in CUSIP codes, as it looks too similar to the number zero.

The ultimate digit is automatically generated and serves as a check digit to ensure the CUSIP is valid. It's calculated by multiplying all the other digits by 2, summing everything up, and then summing up the digits until you get a single-digit number.

How Are CUSIP Assignments Made?

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CUSIP assignments are made by CUSIP Global Services, the organization responsible for assigning all CUSIP numbers. They can be reached online through their website.

To get a CUSIP number, the issuer must fill out a fairly straightforward online form, providing documentation about their business and ensuring the form is completed error-free. The application fee is $100, and an annual administration fee of $80 is required to maintain CUSIP number status. The full list of required documents can be found on CUSIP Global Services' website.

Mapping CUSIP with Python

Mapping CUSIP with Python is a straightforward process that can be done using the CUSIP API. The CUSIP API is a paid service that provides access to a vast database of CUSIP numbers.

You can use the `requests` library in Python to send a GET request to the CUSIP API. The API endpoint for retrieving CUSIP information is `/api/v1/cusip/{cusip}`.

To map a CUSIP number to its corresponding ticker symbol, you can use the `requests` library to send a GET request to the CUSIP API and then parse the JSON response. The JSON response will contain the ticker symbol, among other information.

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The CUSIP API also provides a free tier for testing and development purposes, which is perfect for beginners. The free tier has a limited number of requests per day, but it's a great way to get started with CUSIP API development.

You can use the `json` library in Python to parse the JSON response from the CUSIP API. This will allow you to extract the ticker symbol and other information from the response.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ticker and CUSIP the same?

No, a CUSIP number and a ticker are not the same, with CUSIP being a more reliable 9-digit identifier that cannot be reused. While tickers can be reused over time, CUSIPs provide a unique and consistent way to identify stocks and bonds.

What do I do with my CUSIP number?

Use your CUSIP number to access information about your security, such as ownership details and market data. This unique identifier makes it easy to look up information about your stocks and bonds

Kristin Ward

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Kristin Ward is a versatile writer with a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling. With a background in research and analysis, she brings a unique perspective to her writing, making complex topics accessible to a wide range of readers. Kristin's writing portfolio showcases her ability to tackle a variety of subjects, from personal finance to lifestyle and beyond.

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