Contrary to a streaming quote/ real time quote, it is a quote for a tradable security (e.g., a stock) that is published after a certain time interval (such as 15 or 20 minutes) for a done transaction. In most cases, the published figures are not reported to the investing community in the real time. Delayed quotes usually convey enough information for casual investors who do not seek to buy or sell a security at the very moment a price quote is reached in the market.

Typically, delayed quotes are offered cost-free on online portals.