====== How do your BATS real-time charts work? ======

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.

[[:data:bats_real-time_data|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.