For a best bid and a best ask , the bid–ask spread is and the mid price is . The half-spread is what one market order pays relative to the mid.
أمثلة
Example 1.3 (The dentist’s order)
The market is bid, ask: , , and the spread is of the price. The dentist’s market order buys at the ask and pays the half-spread, $0.01 a share, that is $1.00 on her hundred shares. That dollar is the market maker’s gross revenue on the trade — before the price has had a chance to move.