What׳s a name worth? The impact of a likeable stock ticker symbol on firm value

We investigate the impact of the likeability and pronounceability of stock ticker symbols on firm value. Using a unique, comprehensive dataset with hand-collected ratings of ticker symbols, we find that higher likeability of ticker symbols leads to higher Tobin׳s Q. The pronounceability of ticker symbols has a similar but weaker effect. Further evidence suggests that the effect is possibly due to the impact of ticker symbols on stock liquidity or mispricing or both.