In stock trading terminology, what does 'ask' refer to?

In stock trading terminology, the term 'ask' refers to the price at which a stock is sold or the price at which a seller is willing to sell their shares. This is an essential concept in trading as it helps buyers understand what they need to pay in order to purchase the stock from those who are currently offering it for sale.

When a trader wants to buy a stock, they will look at the 'ask' price to determine how much they will need to pay. This price is crucial because it signifies the lowest amount that sellers are willing to accept for their shares at that moment. It sits in contrast to the 'bid' price, which is the highest price a buyer is willing to pay for the stock.

The other options refer to different aspects of stock trading: the price at which a stock is bought does not encapsulate 'ask' correctly; the commission paid to a broker is a separate cost involved in trading and does not relate to the stock's asking price; and the minimum price a stock can trade is related to floor trading regulations and is not what is defined by 'ask'.