Float
MarketsDefinition
Number of shares available for public trading. Excludes shares held by insiders, government, and other restricted holders. Low float stocks are more volatile because relatively small order flow can move prices substantially.
Heavily-shorted low-float names occasionally produce gamma squeezes (GME, BBBY 2021). Most large-caps have float = 95%+ of total shares; closely-held companies (founder-controlled) might have 50% or less.
Heavily-shorted low-float names occasionally produce gamma squeezes (GME, BBBY 2021). Most large-caps have float = 95%+ of total shares; closely-held companies (founder-controlled) might have 50% or less.