Bid vs ask stock options
The bid price is the highest price that a buyer is willing to pay for a stock. The ask price is the lowest amount that a seller will accept for a stock. The difference between these two prices is known as the spread. The spread is what provides a profit for market makers and specialists. Both prices are quotes on a single share of stock. The bid price is what buyers are willing to pay for it. The ask price is what sellers are willing to take for it. If you are selling a stock, you are going to get the bid price, if you are buying a stock you are going to get the ask price. Difference Between Bid and Ask Price of Stock. The bid rate refers to the highest rate at which the prospective buyer of the stock is ready to pay for purchasing the security required by him, whereas, the ask rate refers to the lowest rate of the stock at which the prospective seller of the stock is ready for selling the security he is holding.