odd lot

noun

1. a quantity or amount less than the conventional unit of trading.
2. Stock Exchange. (in a transaction) a quantity of stock less than the established 100-share unit for active issues or the 10-share unit for designated inactive issues.

odd lot

noun

1. a batch of merchandise that contains less than or more than the usual number of units
2. stock exchange a number of securities less than the standard trading unit of 100

Other Words From

• odd-lot adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of odd lot¹

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

It made sense because investors paid fixed commissions to traditional brokers; buying an “odd lot” — less than 100 shares — resulted in significantly higher commissions per share than buying “round lots” of 100 shares or more.

From Seattle Times

Retail investors likely drove much of the call buying, said Christopher Murphy, co-head of derivatives strategy at Susquehanna, given the pickup in odd lot trades - less than the typical 100 contracts - opening and closing during the same day.

From Reuters

Pimco provided “other, misleading reasons” for the fund’s early success in monthly and annual reports to investors, and it did not disclose that its odd lot strategy was not sustainable as the fund grew, according to the SEC order.

From Los Angeles Times

"Pimco misled investors about the true long-term impact of its odd lot strategy and denied them the opportunity to make fully informed investment decisions about the Total Return ETF," Andrew Ceresney, director of the SEC's enforcement division, said in a statement.

From Reuters

He’d then turn around and sell the odd lot to, oh, a guy building housing on adjacent property.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• different
• miscellaneous
• unusual