Glossary entry
The closing price is a market's designated price at the end of a trading session, determined under that venue's rules. It may come from a closing auction or another prescribed method. A data service's last displayed trade, after-hours price, or historically adjusted close can differ, so the label and methodology should be checked.
Illustrative example
A share has an official close of 40.00, then trades at 40.30 after hours. Both prices can be valid observations of different trading periods.
What to consider
A closing price is historical information, not a guaranteed next-session execution. Corporate-action adjustments can also change historical chart values.
General information, not a personal recommendation. Product availability, rights, and obligations are determined by the relevant provider, jurisdiction, and approved agreements.