What is an Odd Lot? A Comprehensive Guide to Its Legal Definition

Definition & Meaning

An odd lot refers to a quantity of a security that is less than the standard trading unit for that security. In the stock market, this typically means any amount of shares that is fewer than 100. Odd lots are often subject to higher commission fees from brokerages compared to round lots, which are the standard units of trading. This term is also known as a broken lot or uneven lot and is the opposite of a round lot.

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Real-world examples

Here are a couple of examples of abatement:

For instance, if an investor wants to purchase 75 shares of a stock, this transaction would be considered an odd lot. As a result, the investor might incur higher brokerage fees compared to purchasing a round lot of 100 shares.

(Hypothetical example): A user decides to sell 50 shares of a company. Since this is an odd lot, their brokerage may charge a higher commission than if they were selling 100 shares.

Comparison with related terms

Term Definition
Odd Lot Less than 100 shares of a security.
Round Lot A standard trading unit, typically 100 shares.
Broken Lot Another term for odd lot, indicating a non-standard quantity.

What to do if this term applies to you

If you find yourself dealing with odd lots, consider the following steps:

  • Review your brokerage's fee structure to understand any additional charges for odd lot transactions.
  • Explore using legal form templates from US Legal Forms to manage your transactions efficiently.
  • If you're uncertain about how to proceed, seeking advice from a financial advisor or legal professional may be beneficial.

Quick facts

Attribute Details
Typical Unit Size Less than 100 shares
Commission Fees Often higher than round lots
Alternative Terms Broken lot, uneven lot

Key takeaways

Frequently asked questions

An odd lot is a quantity of shares that is less than the standard trading unit, typically fewer than 100 shares.