A stock quote is a real-time snapshot of a stock’s current trading price and related data in the financial markets. It provides essential information for investors, including the last traded price, bid and ask prices, trading volume, and price changes (both in absolute terms and percentages). Stock quotes also display the day’s high and low, the 52-week range, and sometimes the dividend yield and P/E ratio for fundamental analysis.

Stock quotes are available on financial websites, trading platforms, and brokerage apps. The bid price represents the highest price a buyer is willing to pay, while the ask price is the lowest price a seller is willing to accept. The difference between them is called the bid-ask spread, which indicates liquidity; tighter spreads usually mean higher liquidity.

Real-time stock quotes are crucial for active traders, while delayed quotes (often 15 minutes behind) may be available on free platforms. Investors use stock quotes to make informed decisions, track market movements, and execute trades at desired prices. Understanding a stock quote helps traders assess supply and demand, volatility, and overall market sentiment before buying or selling shares.