Bear Trap

A false signal which indicates that the rising trend of a stock or index has reversed when in fact it has not.

Best-Efforts Underwriting

A type of underwriting where the investment firm acts as an agent. The firm agrees to use its best efforts to sell the new issue of securities, but does not guarantee the issuing company that the securities to be issued will be sold.

Better-Price-Limit Orders

An order with a limit price better than the best price on the opposite side of the market. A better-priced buy order has a limit price higher than the best offering. A better-priced sell order has a limit price lower than the best bid. These are available only at the opening.

Bid

The highest price a buyer is willing to pay for a stock. When combined with the ask price information, it forms the basis of a stock quote.

Bid Size

The aggregate size in board lots of the most recent bid to buy a particular security.

Blue Chip Stocks

Stocks of leading and nationally known companies that offer a record of continuous dividend payments and other strong investment qualities.