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Swiss Valor Numbers Are Sequential Allocation Codes

Article Quant Q&A · Author: eztam
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Summary

The document answers whether Swiss Valor numbers follow a pattern that reveals information about a security. It explains that a Valor number is an identifier with no intrinsic meaning: when a new identifier is needed, the next available number is assigned. The number therefore does not encode an instrument’s type or other characteristics.

This is a useful distinction for anyone handling financial instruments or market data: a Valor number can identify an instrument, but its numerical value should not be interpreted as a classification or signal. The response cites an allocation description attributed to Wikipedia, but the document provides no further specification, examples, or validation of how the numbering sequence is managed. Its scope is limited to the meaning of the identifier; it does not explain how to obtain or use Valor numbers in a trading system.

Key ideas

  • A Swiss Valor number is an identifier, not a code whose digits describe the instrument.
  • New numbers are allocated from the available sequence as identifiers are needed.
  • The number itself does not indicate an instrument’s characteristics.
  • The document gives no additional detail about administration or operational use of the identifier.

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Multi-asset
Full text
# Pattern of Swiss Valor number


# Pattern of Swiss Valor number












I'm trying to find the exact specification about the Swiss Valor number pattern. Is there even a pattern or is it just an increasing number?

## Answer by Bob Jansen (score 3, accepted)

https://quant.stackexchange.com/a/70440

Wikipedia to the rescue:

> Allocation Methodology The VALOR number is a numeric code that intrinsically has no meaning. When a new VALOR is needed, the next one from the list is simply allocated. An instrument's number indicates nothing about the instrument itself.

Shown in full with attribution under the source's licence. Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 (Stack Exchange)

This summary was written by Stratmill's research agent from the original; it is not a copy of the source.