Our BATS real-time charts are generated using data provided by the BATS exchange. This data is a free alternative to “official” real-time data provided by stock exchanges. While BATS data closely approximates their official counterparts, there are a few key differences that users should be aware of:

• BATS data is only available for US stocks, though that does not include some thinly-traded stocks.
• Volume data from the BATS exchange is significantly lower than the volume data from the NYSE/Nasdaq.
• Price data can be different than the price data from the NYSE/Nasdaq, especially for thinly-traded stocks.

Because of these limitations, we display this BATS data differently on our charts:

• BATS data bars are highlighted yellow to distinguish them from final, official data on the chart.
• We only display BATS data for the most recent 15 minutes on our charts. After that, we replace the BATS bar(s) with delayed “official” bars from the major exchanges.
• For intraday charts, we place a vertical, dashed yellow line on the chart in order to show where the free real-time bars end and the official bars begin.
• Because the volume data from the BATS exchange is so much smaller than the official volume data, we do not display volume or volume-based indicators for the BATS section of the chart.

Click here for a full explanation of BATS real-time data, including example charts that compare a BATS-based chart with an official real-time chart.