Introduction: Decoding the Stock Market’s “Price Tag”
Imagine walking into a supermarket and seeing a price tag that says:
“Milk: ₹50 (▲2) | High: ₹52 | Low: ₹48 | 52W High: ₹60”
That’s essentially what a stock quote is—a “price tag” for a company’s shares. But instead of milk, it’s Infosys, Reliance, or TCS.
If you’ve ever looked at a stock on NSE (National Stock Exchange) and felt overwhelmed, this guide will simplify it for you.
Where to Find a Stock Quote?
You can check stock quotes on:
✔ NSE Website (nseindia.com)
✔ Trading Apps (Zerodha, Groww, Upstox)
✔ Financial News Sites (Moneycontrol, Economic Times)
How to Read a Stock Quote (With Example)
Let’s break down a real stock quote (e.g., Reliance Industries Ltd – NSE: RELIANCE)
| Term | Example Value | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Last Price | ₹2,850 | Latest traded price |
| Change (%) | +₹50 (+1.75%) | Price change since yesterday’s close |
| Previous Close | ₹2,800 | Yesterday’s closing price |
| Open Price | ₹2,820 | First trade price of the day |
| Day’s High/Low | ₹2,870 / ₹2,810 | Highest & lowest price today |
| 52-Week High/Low | ₹3,000 / ₹2,100 | Highest & lowest price in 1 year |
| Volume | 2.5M shares | Number of shares traded today |
| Bid/Ask | ₹2,849 / ₹2,851 | Best buy & sell prices right now |
Key Terms Explained
1. Last Price (₹2,850)
- The most recent price at which the stock was traded.
- Example: If you buy Reliance now, this is roughly what you’ll pay.
2. Change (+₹50, +1.75%)
- How much the stock moved since yesterday’s close.
- Green (▲) = Up | Red (▼) = Down
3. Previous Close (₹2,800)
- The final price at which the stock traded yesterday.
4. Open Price (₹2,820)
- The first trade price when the market opened today.
5. Day’s High/Low (₹2,870 / ₹2,810)
- The highest and lowest prices reached today.
- Helps gauge volatility.
6. 52-Week High/Low (₹3,000 / ₹2,100)
- The stock’s highest and lowest price in the past year.
- *Helps assess long-term trends.*
7. Volume (2.5M shares)
- Number of shares traded today.
- *High volume = More interest in the stock.*
8. Bid & Ask (₹2,849 / ₹2,851)
- Bid: What buyers are willing to pay (₹2,849).
- Ask: What sellers are demanding (₹2,851).
- The difference is called the “spread.”
Why Should You Care About These Numbers?
✔ Last Price & Change → Tells you if the stock is rising/falling.
✔ 52W High/Low → Helps decide if it’s “cheap” or “expensive.”
✔ Volume → High volume = Strong investor interest.
✔ Bid/Ask → Shows real-time demand & supply.
Real-World Example: TCS (NSE: TCS)
Let’s read TCS’s live quote:
| Term | Value | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Last Price | ₹3,950 | Stock is trading at ₹3,950 now. |
| Change | -₹20 (-0.5%) | Down 0.5% from yesterday. |
| 52W High | ₹4,200 | Currently 6% below its peak. |
| Volume | 1.2M shares | Moderate trading activity. |
Takeaway:
- TCS is slightly down today but still near its yearly high.
- Not super volatile (volume is moderate).
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Only looking at “Last Price” → Check volume, trends too.
❌ Ignoring “52W High/Low” → Helps avoid buying at peaks.
❌ Not comparing Bid/Ask → Affects your buy/sell price.
Final Takeaways
✔ A stock quote is a snapshot of a stock’s current performance.
✔ Key terms: Last Price, Change %, High/Low, Volume, Bid/Ask.
✔ Use this data to make informed buying/selling decisions.
