Direct answer
In forex, “off quotes” generally describes a situation where displayed prices are not currently available or not currently reliable as live, tradable quotes. It means the platform or data feed is not providing normal, up-to-date pricing for the instrument at that time.
This can show up as missing prices, unchanged prices while the market is moving, delayed updates, or a status message indicating the quote stream is “off” for that symbol.
How it works (what to look for)
Forex quotes are usually produced and distributed through a chain of market data feeds and brokerage systems. When something in that chain can’t provide a current, executable quote, the platform may label the data as “off quotes.”
Common practical causes include:
- Temporary data feed interruptions or provider latency.
- Market conditions that cause rapid changes where quote updates can’t keep pace.
- Trading hours transitions, symbol availability changes, or brief liquidity gaps.
- Platform or connection issues that prevent refreshing the bid/ask.
Important distinction: “off quotes” is about quote availability/quality, not about the future movement of the market.
Example or checks (independent verification)
Because “off quotes” can be caused by different technical or market microstructure reasons, independent checks help you understand whether it is a display issue or a broader market-data issue:
- Refresh and observe whether bid/ask resumes normal updating.
- Compare with another independent price source (another platform, terminal, or market-data feed) to see if the same pair is quoting normally elsewhere.
- If you have access, verify whether the broker reports a live bid/ask for execution while your chart shows “off quotes.”
- Check whether the message is limited to one symbol or affects many symbols at once—broader impact often points to feed or connectivity rather than a single trading venue.
Relevant limitations and risks
“Off quotes” does not automatically mean a trade cannot happen at any time, and it does not predict direction. It only indicates that the quotes you are seeing are currently not normal or not reliably executable.
Limitations you should keep in mind:
- Different platforms may use the phrase differently; always interpret it within the specific platform’s status or documentation.
- Quote displays can lag behind actual market conditions, especially during volatility.
- Even if prices appear, they may not reflect the exact executable bid/ask at the moment you act.
If you want certainty, treat “off quotes” as a signal to verify live quote availability from your platform and/or multiple sources before relying on any displayed numbers.