Free Real-Time Stock Quotes Courtesy of Google Finance

From the Official Google Blog:

We’re very excited to tell you that real-time quotes on NASDAQ securities are now available on Google Finance. This is an important (and way overdue) development for everyone who consumes financial information. Historically, real-time stock data was not freely and widely accessible. Either buried behind subscription walls or brokerage sites, consumers typically had to live with 15 or 20 minute price delays. In the world of finance, time is indeed money, and it’s critical to have timely and accurate data.

The Catch

In case you skimmed over it, real-time quotes are only available for NASDAQ listed securities for the time being. Google has been working diligently with the SEC and New York Stock Exchange to bring real-time quotes to the masses, so it will likely be just a matter of time before they bring us free, real-time quotes across the board.

The Takeaway

Although I’m not an active trader by a long shot, I really appreciate Google’s effort to provide easy access (no logging into brokerage accounts needed!) to real-time data so others can make informed financial decisions. As they said, time is indeed money and I couldn’t agree with them more. Well done Google.

Update: According to a post at Mashable, both CNBC and The Wall Street Journal have launched free real-time quotes as well.