In the early days of the stock market, getting information and prices about stocks proved to be quite a task. The transmission of data went at a snail's pace, and even major players operated in the absence of current information. Today things are much different. Most have access to up to the minute prices through the use of a real time stock ticker.
Stock information is only as good as its accuracy. Knowing where a stock traded in the past yields no guidance on the proper bid or ask to enter when one seeks to trade now. Historically, very few had access to a real time stock ticker. Only professionals were so lucky.
This presented a historical advantage on behalf of institutional traders. They could in essence see a bit into the future compared to the average market participant. Today things have changed. The playing field has been leveled with the advent of the Internet. Now everyone can benefit from current stock quotes.
Many places now offer free "delayed quotes". These quotes are usually lagged 20 minutes after they occurred. They also show bid and ask information that is equally as old. When one looks at a delayed quote they have no clue what the current quote, bid or ask is. Attempting to enter an appropriate buy or sell order becomes an exercise in guesswork.
Many times, when using delayed quotes, traders enter bids above the current ask or conversely enter asks below the current bid. This, obviously, falls far short of qualifying as a shrewd trading strategy. Those attempting to trade in the dark with delaying quotes are much better off stepping up to a real time stock ticker.
With a real time stock ticker you are not hobbled by this handicap. It provides up to the second figures for the bid, for the ask, current price and daily volume. All of these numbers can prove exceptionally useful towards making a profitable trade. Most tickers go far beyond the above providing an array of detail information and charting for your particular stock.
Real time quotes can be found many places. Most usually, they are provided to customers of most brokerage accounts. Some deeply discounted brokers might charge extra for current quotes. Make sure you read the terms carefully before you open any brokerage account so you know exactly which services you are getting and which ones you are not.
If your broker doesn't provide a real time stock ticker then you are strongly advised to purchase real time quote service elsewhere to use in conjunction with your brokerage account. Lack of current information can have devastating results. Most likely, the person on the other side of your trade has real time quotes. Don't be the one with the disadvantage.
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