The stock symbol for Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. was ALXN. While this was its widely recognized ticker, Alexion has since been acquired, meaning this specific symbol is no longer actively traded on exchanges.
Understanding Stock Symbols
A stock symbol, also known as a ticker symbol, is an abbreviation used to uniquely identify publicly traded shares of a particular stock on a stock market. These symbols are critical for efficient trading, allowing investors and traders to quickly find and reference specific companies.
Key aspects of stock symbols include:
- Uniqueness: Each publicly traded company has a unique symbol on a given exchange.
- Identification: They help in identifying a company's stock, much like a license plate identifies a car.
- Trading: They are used in all trading activities, from placing orders to tracking prices and market data.
For example, when you see a quote for "ALXN," it historically referred to shares of Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Its Symbol
Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. was a global biopharmaceutical company primarily focused on developing therapies for rare diseases. For many years, its shares traded under the ticker symbol ALXN.
Here's a quick overview:
| Company Name | Former Stock Symbol |
|---|---|
| Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. | ALXN |
In July 2021, Alexion was acquired by AstraZeneca Plc. As a result of this acquisition, Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. ceased to trade as a standalone public company, and its stock symbol, ALXN, was retired. Shareholders of Alexion typically received compensation in the form of cash, AstraZeneca shares, or a combination thereof.
Therefore, while ALXN was the stock symbol for Alexion, it is important to note that this symbol is no longer active in the market today due to the company's acquisition.
