As you explore Investing.com's comprehensive financial data tools, you might have noticed that sometimes there's a difference between the "Previous Close" price displayed on an instrument's main page and the close price shown in the Historical Data table for the same date. This article explains this common occurrence, helping you better understand the data you're viewing on our platform.
Understanding the Difference with a Real Example
Let's look at a specific example to illustrate this difference. For the December 2015 futures contract viewed on September 23, 2015, the "Prev. Close" was displayed as 2.296. However, when checking the Historical Data table for the same date (September 23, 2015), the close price was shown as 2.305. This 0.009 difference, while small, can be important for precise analysis.
Technical Explanation: Different Data Sources
The main reason for this difference lies in the data sources used for different sections of the Investing.com platform:
Real-Time Data vs. Official Exchange Data
The real-time data you see for futures contracts across all timeframes on Investing.com is Contract for Difference (CFD) data. This allows us to provide you with continuous, up-to-the-minute price information throughout the trading day. Meanwhile, the Historical Data table specifically displays the official exchange data for daily, weekly, and monthly timeframes, providing you with the authoritative record from the exchange itself.
The Roll-Over Process Explained
Futures contracts have expiration dates, and as these approach, trading activity typically shifts to the next contract month. At Investing.com, we roll over futures contracts during the weekend before the contract expires and before the official exchange conducts its roll-over. This proactive approach ensures continuous data availability for our users.
The Critical Period: Between Roll-Overs
During the period between our roll-over and the exchange's official roll-over, a temporary discrepancy occurs:
- The "Prev. Close" you see on our platform represents the new contract's (CFD) close price
- The close price in the Historical Data table represents the close price of the current futures contract, as provided by the official exchange
Example in Detail: Copper Futures Case
In our example, the Copper Futures contract for December 2015 was a real-time CFD, showing a previous close price of 2.296 on September 23, 2015. However, the official exchange was still using the September 2015 contract (until September 28, 2015), and therefore the Historical Data table displayed the close price of the September 2015 contract, which was 2.305 on that date.
Why This Matters for Investing.com Users
Understanding this distinction helps you interpret the data correctly while using our platform. The Historical Data tables provide official exchange records for accurate historical analysis, while the real-time data gives you the most current information for tracking market movements.
Accessing Additional Resources
Our platform is designed to provide you with the most accurate and comprehensive financial data available. Both the real-time prices and historical data serve important purposes in your financial research and analysis.
We hope this explanation clarifies why you might observe differences between "Prev. Close" and historical close prices on certain dates. If you have more questions about this or other features on Investing.com, please visit our Investing Help Center, where you'll find a wealth of information about our tools and services.
By understanding these technical details, you can make the most of Investing.com's comprehensive financial data platform, whether you're accessing it through our website or our Android and iOS applications.
Got more questions?
We hope you found the answers you were looking for. Please go to the Investing Help Center for further information.
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