What Is an Aftermarket Quote?
An aftermarket quote (also called an after-hours quote or extended-hours quote) shows the current bid and ask prices for a stock during post-market trading sessions. After the regular market closes at 4:00 PM ET, trading continues in the after-hours session until 8:00 PM ET. During this window, aftermarket quotes reflect the real-time supply and demand for a stock, including the best available bid price (what buyers are willing to pay) and ask price (what sellers are willing to accept).
How to Read Aftermarket Quotes
Bid Price & Size
The bid price is the highest price a buyer is willing to pay. Bid size shows how many shares are available at that price. A large bid size indicates strong buying interest.
Ask Price & Size
The ask price is the lowest price a seller is willing to accept. Ask size shows how many shares are offered. A large ask size may indicate selling pressure.
Spread & Volume
The spread (ask minus bid) indicates liquidity — tighter spreads mean more liquid markets. Volume shows total shares traded in the after-hours session.
Why Aftermarket Quotes Matter
After-hours trading is when major corporate announcements — earnings reports, guidance updates, and M&A news — are typically released. Aftermarket quotes give you a real-time view of how the market is reacting to this news before the next regular session opens. Monitoring bid/ask quotes during extended hours helps traders gauge sentiment, plan entries and exits, and anticipate the next day's opening price action.