Trading Data

If you are planning to actively be trading you will need access to different types of data. Some people want to evaluate a trading system or methodology and will utilize historical data. In contrast is real-time market data of which there are numerous types. The real-time market data you require will be dependent on the types of financial vehicles you will be trading. If you plan to actively trade stocks you will need the following as a minimum.

Market averages and indices
Market news stories
Stock ticker and quotes
Price and news alerts
Web based or proprietary charting
Stock screening application

If you plan to trade in Nasdaq stocks or equities you will also want access to Nasdaq Level II screens.

Some of this information is available for free online, some of it may be available from your broker and others are a result of a subscription service or bundled with a software package.