Understanding RIC Code Formats and Their Components

Souradeep

Hi everyone,

We’re currently working with Refinitiv data and trying to better understand the structure and variety of RIC (Refinitiv Instrument Code) formats available across different asset classes and exchanges.

For example, we’re familiar with formats like:

• AAPL.O – where AAPL represents the instrument (Apple Inc.) and .O signifies the NASDAQ exchange.
• EUR= – which appears to represent a currency instrument (EUR/USD spot rate).

Our main goal is to understand:

• What are the different RIC formats used by Refinitiv (e.g., for equities, FX, indices, fixed income, derivatives)?
• How to interpret the instrument identifier and the exchange or asset class suffix in each format?

Any documentation, examples, or guidance on decoding RIC structures would be greatly appreciated.

Also, we recently came across one of our customer using a RIC starting with a "."(DOT). Is this an usual format as well?

Thanks in advance!

Jirapongse

@Souradeep

Thank you for reaching out to us.

You can refer to this FAQ for guidance. All major equity indices always start with a dot in front of the code. You can also use the RIC Search tool to search for RICs.

Otherwise, please contact the helpdesk support team directly via LSEG support for more information.