“Offered” refers to the price at which a seller is willing to sell a security or commodity, also known as the ask price. This represents the lowest price at which market participants are currently willing to sell, forming one side of the bid-ask spread. Offered prices change continuously based on supply-demand dynamics and market conditions.

Understanding offered prices is crucial for buyers assessing market costs and liquidity conditions. Multiple levels of offered prices create market depth, showing quantity available at different price levels. When traders “lift the offer,” they buy at the offered price, accepting the seller’s terms for immediate execution.

Real-world example: Crude oil is offered at $76.25 per barrel with 100 contracts available, meaning sellers are willing to sell up to 100,000 barrels at that price, providing buyers with immediate execution opportunity at known cost.