Who This Guide Is For
If you’re trading US stocks through M+ Global, understanding which quote service you’re using matters. This guide is for Malaysian retail investors who want to know the practical differences between real-time and delayed pricing data—and what each option means for your trading decisions.
The Two US Stock Quote Services Explained
M+ Global provides two main types of US stock quotes. Each has different refresh speeds, data coverage, and order information. Let’s break down what you actually get with each one.
Understanding the Differences
The table below compares the two services side by side:
| Feature | Delayed Quotes | Nasdaq Basic Level 1 |
| Refresh Frequency | 15-minutes delay | Real-time refresh |
| Stock Exchange | Nasdaq exchange | Nasdaq exchange |
| Trading Order | None | Buy and sell quotes from a single exchange |
| Ticker Data | None | Data from a single exchange |
Delayed Quotes: The Budget Option
Delayed Quotes refresh every 15 minutes. This means the price you see on your screen is at least a quarter of an hour old. You won’t see live buy and sell orders, and the ticker data shows only Nasdaq exchange information without current order depth.
Delayed quotes work well if you’re a longer-term investor who doesn’t need split-second pricing. If you’re monitoring a stock to buy at a target price, a 15-minute delay usually won’t hurt your strategy.
Nasdaq Basic Level 1: Real-Time Data
Nasdaq Basic Level 1 gives you real-time refresh of prices. This means you see current market data instantly. You get live buy and sell quotes from the Nasdaq exchange, which helps you understand what prices are actually available right now.
With Level 1 data, you see what traders are offering to buy and sell at—invaluable if you’re making quick trading decisions or watching volatile stocks.
Remisier tip: If you trade US tech stocks (Apple, Microsoft, Tesla) or trade frequently, Nasdaq Basic Level 1 is worth the investment. If you’re buying blue-chip dividend stocks and holding them, delayed quotes usually serve you fine.
What Each Service Tells You
Order Information
Only Nasdaq Basic Level 1 shows you the actual buy and sell orders on the market. With delayed quotes, you don’t see this order flow at all—you only see historical prices from 15 minutes ago.
Ticker Data
Nasdaq Basic Level 1 pulls ticker data from a single exchange (Nasdaq). Delayed quotes also show Nasdaq data, but because it’s delayed, you’re missing the current market picture.
When to Use Each Service
Use Delayed Quotes if:
- You’re a long-term investor (holding stocks for months or years)
- You check prices once a day or a few times a week
- You want lower costs and don’t need real-time alerts
Use Nasdaq Basic Level 1 if:
- You trade actively or frequently adjust your positions
- You need to see live bid-ask spreads to understand entry and exit prices
- You’re trading volatile stocks where 15 minutes can mean a significant price move
- You want to catch time-sensitive opportunities
Key Takeaways
- M+ Global offers two quote services: Delayed Quotes (15-minute lag) and Nasdaq Basic Level 1 (real-time).
- Delayed Quotes have no order information and no current ticker data—you see prices from 15 minutes ago.
- Nasdaq Basic Level 1 shows live buy and sell quotes and real-time ticker data from the Nasdaq exchange.
- Both services cover the Nasdaq exchange; the difference is speed and depth of information.
- Choose based on your trading style: real-time for active traders, delayed for buy-and-hold investors.
- Talk to your remisier about which service fits your trading plan and costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between Delayed Quotes and Nasdaq Basic Level 1?
Delayed Quotes refresh every 15 minutes with no order information, while Nasdaq Basic Level 1 refreshes in real-time and shows live buy and sell quotes. If you need current market data, Level 1 is the better choice.
Which service do most retail investors use?
It depends on trading frequency. Day traders and active traders use Nasdaq Basic Level 1 for real-time data. Long-term investors often use Delayed Quotes to keep costs low.
Can I switch between the two services?
Yes, you can change your quote service settings in M+ Global. Contact your remisier or check your account settings to see which service is currently active and upgrade or downgrade as needed.
Will a 15-minute delay cost me money when I trade?
Possibly. If you trade very actively or chase time-sensitive opportunities, a 15-minute delay might mean you miss the price you saw. For most long-term buy-and-hold trades, the delay doesn’t matter much.
Do I pay extra for Nasdaq Basic Level 1?
Pricing varies depending on your M+ Global account type. Contact your remisier or check your account dashboard for current costs associated with each quote service.
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Source: based on the official M+ Global Help Centre (Malacca Securities Sdn Bhd). Fees, hours and procedures are set by Malacca Securities and the exchanges and may change — check the M+ Global app or ask your remisier for the latest.
Disclaimer: This guide is for general information only and is not financial advice.
