Why do stock charts differ across platforms for the same timeframe?

Why do stock charts differ across platforms for the same timeframe?

Stock charts can vary across platforms due to differences in how tick data (individual trade transactions) is captured and plotted. On stock exchanges, hundreds of trades occur every second, but charting platforms display only one tick per second. Since different platforms select and plot different tick points, slight discrepancies arise. However, the overall trend remains consistent across platforms.

One key factor influencing chart variations is the speed at which tick data is processed. At FYERS, we process and update tick data every 300 milliseconds - one of the fastest speeds available among retail brokerage platforms and data vendors. This ultra-fast processing ensures traders receive near-instant updates, providing a more accurate market view compared to platforms with slower refresh rates.

These differences are most noticeable in minute and hourly candles because exchanges do not provide minute-by-minute or hourly OHLC (Open, High, Low, Close) data. Instead, they only release daily OHLC data in the Bhavcopy. As a result, platforms must construct their own minute and hourly candles based on the ticks they receive, leading to variations in how price movements are represented.

For traders seeking every single tick, NSE offers tick-by-tick (TBT) data through authorised vendors, enabling access to the most granular trade information. Advanced users can also set up systems within NSE's co-location facility to maximise real-time data processing. However, such high-frequency data is primarily beneficial for professional traders engaged in arbitrage or algorithmic trading. For retail traders, these minor chart discrepancies rarely impact overall trading decisions.

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