So in traditional trading, such as the nyse, at 4pm the stock market closes. Monday Acme stock closed at $100. After the close of market, we learn about some good news about Acme. So Tuesday morning at 9am, lots of people want to buy it, there is more demand, and now people are willing to pay $110. There was no period of time when it was some value in the middle.
Think of it this way, you’re sitting at the dock, I ask if you want to buy a life preserver. You might say, better safe than sorry, but I don’t need it, so I’ll buy it for $5. The next day you’re again at the dock, but this time the section you’re sitting on broke and you fell in. You see me and say give me a life preserver. I tell you it’s now $100, you’re super willing to pay.
Now a days there is after hours trading, and sometimes your own financial institution might link their own customers together, one who is a buyer, and one who is a seller, and so overnight there might be some price fluctuations. Sometimes the last after hours trading is the opening of price the next day, but not always
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