CFDs are complex financial instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. CFDs are complex financial instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Market data definition

What is market data?

Market data refers to the live streaming of trade-related data. It encompasses a range of information such as price, bid/ask quotes and market volume. Trading venues provide reports on various assets and financial instruments, which are then distributed to traders and firms. Market data is available across thousands of global markets, including stocks, indices, forex and commodities.

Market data is used by traders to assess the worth of various assets, and will inform their approach to entering and exiting trades. The aim of using market data is to get as much information about the asset you are planning to trade, in order to calculate market risk and the impact of live news releases.

Take a look at our market data service

Find out more about a range of market data, including real-time price charts, news and analysis.

Learn more

Pros and cons of market data

Pros of market data

Market data is generated in real time, which means that it can be used to make quick but informed trading decisions. However, market data can also be used to access historical prices – these historical charts are a crucial part of technical analysis, and can be useful when creating a strategy for future trades.

Market data is normally found in one place under a ticker symbol, which makes it easy to access. Commonly, market pricing data is kept separate from all other information, but some market data providers will choose to deliver fundamentals as well. In equities, this can include market valuations, company performance reports and reference data.

Cons of market data

The real-time delivery of market data is important, as prices can move quickly and traders need to make timely, informed decisions about opening and closing their positions. However, with data there is always the risk of latency or lags in the delivery of information, especially as the information can be coming from trading venues all over the world. When choosing your data provider, it is important to ensure that they are reliable, and have the capabilities to give you high speed access to accurate market data.

Build your trading knowledge

Discover how to trade with IG Academy, our series of interactive
courses, webinars and seminars.

Go to IG Academy

Learn more

A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - L - M - N - O - P - R - S - T - U - V - W - Y

See all glossary trading terms

Help and support

Get answers about your account or our services.

Get answers

Or contact us on +971 (0) 4 559 2104 or helpdesk.ae@ig.com.

Our office is open 5 days a week, Monday to Friday from 8am to 7pm (Dubai time). Support line is available 24hrs a day, 7 days a week, except for Saturday from 1am to 11am (Dubai time).

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. Professional Clients can lose more than they deposit.

The value of shares and ETFs bought through an IG stock trading account can fall as well as rise, which could mean getting back less than you originally put in. Please ensure you fully understand the risks and take care to manage your exposure.

IG does not issue advice, recommendations or opinions in relation to acquiring, holding or disposing of a CFD. IG is not a financial advisor and all services are provided on an execution-only basis. This communication is not an offer or solicitation to enter into a transaction and shall not be construed as such.

IG is a trading name of IG Limited a company registered at 2702 & 2703 Level 27, Tower 2, Al Fattan Currency House, DIFC, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. IG is authorised and regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) under reference No. F001780.

The information on this site is not directed at residents of the United States, Belgium or any particular country outside the UAE and is not intended for distribution to, or use by, any person in any country or jurisdiction where such distribution or use would be contrary to local law or regulation.

Market data definition

What is market data?

Take a look at our market data service

Pros and cons of market data

Pros of market data

Cons of market data

Build your trading knowledge

Learn more

What is CFD trading?

How to trade forex?

How to trade CFDs?

How to trade stocks?

What is forex?

What are cryptocurrencies?

Help and support

Markets

CFD trading

Trading platforms

Learn to trade

Contact us