" Tick " refers to changes in the price of a financial instrument, whether the price change is upward or downward.
Each market has a defined price change unit, and price changes can only occur in multiples of that price change unit.
Scale size for different markets
Forex Market:
In the foreign exchange market, currencies are traded in pairs, and one tick usually represents the smallest change in the exchange rate of a currency pair. This change is usually equivalent to a one-point change.
For example, consider the EUR/USD currency pair trading at 1.1700. If the price changed to 1.1701 or 1.1699, this would be a move.
Stock Market:
In the stock market, one tick has traditionally represented 1/8 of a dollar move because stocks were originally quoted in fractions rather than decimals. However, the move to decimal notation in the early 2000s means stocks are now quoted in decimals, with one tick typically representing a change of one cent in the share price.
For example, if a stock trades at $50.00 and then moves up to $50.01 or $49.99, that would be considered a single move.
Futures Market:
In the futures market, a price tick is the smallest price increment that a futures contract can move. The extent of the price movement depends on the futures contract being traded.
For example, in the case of gold futures, one tick is equal to $0.10. So if gold futures move from $1,800.00 to $1,800.10, that is a price move. This change will represent a specific amount of gain or loss on the contract.
Why are ticks important?
Understanding and tracking price movements is crucial, especially in high-frequency trading and algorithmic trading.
The frequency of price changes or quote data can significantly impact trading strategies and profitability.
Traders use tick charts to plot price changes to gain a more detailed understanding of price movements. These charts can help identify patterns and potential trading opportunities.
For example, in volatile markets, tick charts can more accurately represent rapid price changes, thus showing more detailed information than regular time-based charts.
Also, quotes are crucial when placing certain types of orders. For example, a stop-loss or limit order can be triggered by a specific price movement.
Summary
In summary, a quote represents the smallest price change of a financial instrument and is a basic concept in trading.
Its relevance becomes even more apparent in specific trading strategies and scenarios, such as high-frequency trading and algorithmic trading.
If you want to learn more foreign exchange trading knowledge, please click: Trading Education.
