Most local stocks still trade in lots of one hundred shares, while a first group of higher-priced stocks has traded in lots of ten since 5 October 2026. Iggy and Angela use made-up figures to ask what happens to smaller orders, which costs matter, and what to check on the broker’s screen.
You expect shares to trade in neat bundles of 100, but some stocks now show a lot size of 10, and smaller amounts can still be traded through the Unit Share Market. That is where the real cost can hide. I walk through how an odd lot works, why the bid-ask spread can be wider than on the main board, and why a small order needs a second look at the broker’s fee page. Think of it as buying loose eggs at the wet market instead of a full tray: possible, but not always at the same price.
Key takeaways:
An odd lot is any number of shares below a stock’s own board lot.
Fifty shares can be five full lots in a 10-share stock, but an odd lot in a 100-share stock.
The made-up example shows a 10-cent spread costing $2.50 more on a $200 order.
A limit order sets the highest price you will pay or lowest price you will accept.
Check the lot size, order handling, spread and small-order fee before confirming.
Iggy’s Forensic Disclaimer
This content is produced for educational and informational purposes only. I am not a financial advisor. I am a retail investor who applies forensic analysis to my own portfolio and shares that process publicly. Nothing here constitutes a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security, and no specific target prices or personalised financial advice are offered.
Stocks assessed under Iggy’s Forensic Yield Standard are benchmarked against a 4.7% minimum yield hurdle. Stocks flagged as Growth Watch fall below this threshold but demonstrate clean balance sheet metrics and an identifiable growth catalyst. These carry a materially different risk profile and are not suitable as yield replacements for income-dependent investors.
All data is sourced from public filings and verified sources. Where data is unverified, it is explicitly flagged. All investments carry risk, including the potential loss of principal, and past performance is not indicative of future results. If you are making investment decisions involving CPF, SRS, or personal capital, please conduct your own due diligence or consult a MAS-licensed financial adviser before committing funds.
