LTQ Meaning in Share Market: LTQ, LTP and ATP Explained with Examples
Open any trading app and you will see a row of short codes beside a stock: LTP, LTQ, ATP, OHLC, Vol. Most beginners understand the price and ignore the rest. That is a mistake, because LTQ and ATP tell you who is active in the stock and at what average price.
This guide explains LTQ meaning in share market, how it differs from LTP and ATP, and how traders actually use these numbers.
What Is LTQ in Share Market?
LTQ stands for Last Traded Quantity. It is the number of shares exchanged in the most recent trade of that stock.
If a stock last traded 250 shares at ₹1,402.50, then:
- LTP (Last Traded Price) = ₹1,402.50
- LTQ (Last Traded Quantity) = 250
LTQ changes with every trade. On a liquid stock it can change many times a second.
LTQ vs LTP vs ATP: Quick Comparison
| Term | Full form | What it tells you | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| LTP | Last Traded Price | Price of the most recent trade | ₹1,402.50 |
| LTQ | Last Traded Quantity | Shares in the most recent trade | 250 |
| ATP | Average Traded Price | Volume-weighted average price of all trades today | ₹1,396.80 |
| Volume | Total traded quantity | All shares traded so far today | 48,20,000 |
What Is LTP?
LTP is the price at which the last buyer and seller agreed. It is the “current price” you see on screen. LTP is not the closing price. The exchange calculates the official close using its own method, which our post on the closing auction session explains.
What Is ATP?
ATP, or Average Traded Price, is the volume-weighted average of every trade done in the stock today.
Simple formula: ATP = Total value traded ÷ Total quantity traded.
Example: three trades happen today.
- 100 shares at ₹200 = ₹20,000
- 300 shares at ₹204 = ₹61,200
- 100 shares at ₹210 = ₹21,000
ATP = ₹1,02,200 ÷ 500 = ₹204.40. Notice the ATP sits closer to ₹204, where most volume traded. Intraday traders treat ATP much like VWAP, a key level for the day.
How Traders Use LTQ
LTQ is small on its own, but patterns in it are useful.
- Spotting large orders. If a stock usually prints LTQs of 10–50 shares and suddenly prints 25,000, a large player is likely active.
- Confirming breakouts. A price breakout with a string of large LTQs has stronger participation than one on tiny trades.
- Judging liquidity. Consistently tiny LTQs and wide gaps between trades signal an illiquid stock where your stop-loss may slip.
Pair LTQ with total volume for a fuller picture. Our guide to volume analysis in trading shows how.
How Traders Use ATP
- Price above ATP: buyers are in control today; many intraday traders prefer longs.
- Price below ATP: sellers are in control; shorts are favoured.
- ATP as support or resistance: price often reacts at ATP during the day.
ATP is especially useful in intraday trading, where the day’s average decides who is winning.
Where to Find LTQ, LTP and ATP
In most Indian broker apps, tap a stock and open “Market Depth” or “Quote”. You will see LTP at the top, with LTQ, ATP, volume and OHLC beneath. The depth window also shows the best five bids and offers. Our post on how to read a stock quote walks through every field, and how stock prices are determined explains the order book behind them.
Common Mistakes Beginners Make
- Treating LTQ as daily volume. LTQ is one trade; volume is the day’s total.
- Placing market orders in illiquid stocks with tiny LTQs. Use limit orders instead.
- Ignoring ATP and buying far above it after a spike, which is often a FOMO trade.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is LTQ in share market? LTQ means Last Traded Quantity, the number of shares in the most recent trade of a stock.
What is the difference between LTP and LTQ? LTP is the price of the last trade; LTQ is the quantity of shares in that trade.
Is ATP the same as VWAP? They are calculated the same way for the day: total traded value divided by total traded quantity. Many traders use the two terms interchangeably.
Is LTP the closing price? No. LTP is the latest trade price. The official closing price is calculated by the exchange and can differ.
Why does LTQ change so fast? Every new trade updates it. Liquid stocks trade many times a second, so LTQ keeps changing.
Conclusion
LTQ shows the size of the latest trade, LTP shows its price and ATP shows the day’s fair average. Read together, they tell you whether big money is active and whether buyers or sellers control the day. You will practise reading market depth on live charts in our Diploma in Stock Market. Visit our Dadar or Thane branch for a free demo class.
Disclaimer: This article is for education only and is not investment advice. Investments in securities are subject to market risks.