An exchange feed delivers raw market data straight from an exchange’s matching engine. It includes information such as last traded prices, bid and ask quotes, trading volume, order book updates, and execution details. Because it comes directly from the source, this data is the most accurate and time-sensitive information available.
Exchange feeds can be real-time, delayed, or end-of-day, depending on user needs and licensing requirements. Real-time feeds are often used by brokers, trading platforms, and algorithmic systems that need the fastest possible updates. Delayed feeds are typically used by retail traders or websites that do not require immediate execution decisions.
Some feeds provide only top-level information (like best bid and best offer). Others include the full depth of the order book, showing every visible order on the exchange. The richness of the feed affects how much insight traders gain into price movement, liquidity, and market conditions.
Exchange feeds give traders and platforms accurate, consistent information needed to analyze markets, manage orders, and make informed trading decisions.
Most exchange feeds include last trade prices, bid and ask quotes, trade size, order book depth, volume, and sometimes auction details. Some feeds also include market status messages, trading halts, and administrative updates from the exchange. All these pieces help traders understand real-time market behavior and overall liquidity.
High-frequency traders and brokers rely on real-time feeds for instant decision-making because even small delays can affect execution quality. Long-term investors or research platforms may prefer delayed or end-of-day feeds since they don’t require second-by-second updates. Each type serves a different purpose depending on trading style, risk level, and cost constraints.
Platforms use exchange feeds to display live prices, update charts, calculate indicators, and execute trades. Analytics tools use the same data to identify trends, measure volatility, and track market depth. Reliable feeds ensure that all calculations and visualizations reflect accurate market conditions, which improves user trust and system performance.
A trading platform receives a real-time exchange feed showing the current best bid and best offer for a stock. When a user places a market order, the platform uses this live data to route the trade to the best available price immediately.
FinFeedAPI’s Stock API provides exchange-sourced price data, including End-of-Day, and historical market feeds, making it easy for developers to build charts, trading tools, and analytics powered by accurate exchange data.
