Understanding the share price

The BT share price quoted in these pages is the current trading price (with a 15-minute delay). This gives an indication of the buying and selling prices for BT shares, although it may not be the exact price you are quoted if you ask your stockbroker to buy or sell shares for you. Similarly, the price you see quoted in the national newspapers will reflect trading prices at the end of the previous day.

A company's share price is the price at which people buy and sell its shares. So BT has no direct influence over the day-to-day share price. However, the strategy and performance of the company is something that shareholders or potential investors will take into account, especially results announcements or statements by the directors. To these can be added outside influences, such as the state of the economy or political developments. The workings of the market are closely regulated by the Financial Services Authority.