The cost of immediacy
The is minus . If bid is 2,410.20 and ask is 2,410.50, the spread is 0.30. A trade starts slightly 'behind' by the spread.
Spreads tend to widen when is thin — overnight, around holidays, and around major economic releases.
Bid, ask and spread
Bid · you sell here
2,410.20
Spread
0.30
Ask · you buy here
2,410.50
Educational illustration · not a live price or trading recommendation
Key takeaways
- Spread = ask − bid.
- Spreads widen when liquidity is thin or news hits.
Knowledge check
Bid 2,400.00 / Ask 2,400.40. The spread is…
Key terms · hover or tap for a definition