In the over-the-counter market, what does the term "spread" refer to?

The term "spread" in the over-the-counter (OTC) market specifically refers to the difference between bid and ask prices. In financial markets, the "bid" price is the highest price a buyer is willing to pay for a security, while the "ask" price is the lowest price a seller is willing to accept. The spread represents the transaction cost for traders; a narrower spread typically indicates a more liquid market with higher trading activity, while a wider spread can indicate lower liquidity or higher perceived risk.

Understanding this concept is crucial for investors and traders as it directly affects the profitability of trades in the OTC market. It plays a significant role in determining the entry and exit points in a trading strategy and can vary based on market conditions, the liquidity of the asset, and other factors that may influence supply and demand dynamics.