Keywords rund um das Thema Finanzdaten: Finanzdaten-API
Keywords rund um das Thema Finanzdaten: Finanzdaten-API

What is a financial data API and how does it work?

In an increasingly digital financial world, information is the most valuable asset. If you invest, act, analyze or automate your investments, you have to rely on available, current and structured data. Right here comes Financial data API in the game. But what is a financial data API and how does it work? It forms the bridge between a data provider and the user: inside – between the sources of financial information and the systems that want to use it. Whether it is an app, an online deposit, a trading tool, a Robo Advisor or a financial portal: This information can be integrated efficiently, safely and in real time via APIs.

Definition: What is a financial data API?

API stands for “Application Programming Interface”. A financial data API is therefore a program-controlled interface through which information on financial instruments can be digitally retrieved and processed. These include, for example,:

  • Share price (Realtime, Delayed, End-of-Day)
  • Historical courses
  • Fundamental data of companies (e.g. KGV, EPS, market capitalisation)
  • Indications
  • Foreign exchange rates
  • Raw material prices
  • Bond information
  • ETF and fund data

APIs allow developers to automatically retrieve this data, integrate it into applications and use it in dashboards, diagrams or analyses.

How does a financial data API work? 

An API works according to the “question” principle:

  • The client (i.e. the website, app or software) asks a specific question to the server of the data provider via an HTTP request.
  • The server answers this request by returning the desired data in a structured format (usually csv, ext/event stream, websocket, JSON or xml).
  • The received response can now be displayed in frontend, stored in databases or used for calculations.

What types of financial data can be obtained via an API? 

Depending on the provider and license model, the API can provide a variety of different data types:

1. Course data 

  • Realtime data: Course information in real time, usually for fee and with license obligation
  • Delayed data: Time-delayed courses (e.g. 15 minutes), usually free of charge
  • EoD (end-of-day): Final course of the day, suitable for analysis or performance comparisons
  • Historical data: Courses over months or years back, for chart analysis, backtesting or studies

Two. Fundamentals 

  • Company key figures such as KGV, dividends, equity ratio, balance sheet data etc.
  • Analyst Estimates, Profit Forecasts, Cashflow Data

3. Market Indicators & Technical Analysis 

  • Indicators such as oscillators, moving averages, RSI, MACD
  • sentiment data, volatility measurements, trend behavior

4. Derivatives & structured products 

  • WKN, Basic value, Issued, Spread, Aufgeld, Sideward yield
  • Realtime indications for option certificates, certificates & lever products

Five. Other data 

  • Currency, commodities, cryptocurrencies, interest, bonds
  • ESG ratings, corporate news, ad hoc notifications, sustainability data, widgets. Widgets are developed by our Team Web Services and can be full data, charts, searches or top-flop values. More information here.

The advantages of a financial data API 

MONITORING Automation 

Instead of manually maintaining data, information can be automatically read in the day.

MONITORING News & speed 

With real time data every second is crucial. APIs deliver the data without delay.

MONITORING Flexibility and scalability 

Data can be requested selectively (e.g. only one specific ISIN) or mass (e.g. all values of an index). APIs grow with the needs of users.

MONITORING Integration 

APIs can be seamlessly integrated into existing systems – be it in trading platforms, comparison portals or Robo advisors.

MONITORING Cost efficiency 

For smaller providers, APIs offer access to premium data without having to operate even complex databases or interfaces.

Who uses financial data APIs? 

The areas of application are diverse:

  • Exchange portals: Presentation of course data, charts, watchlists, product comparison
  • Banks & brokers: Realtime data for order functions, price formation, price supply
  • Fintechs & Robo-Advisors: investment comparisons, portfolio analysis, trade proposals
  • Media & Business portals: Integration of ticker data, market developments, rankings
  • Science and Research: Historical financial data for analyses & models

What should be considered when selecting a financial data API? 

  • Data quality: Does the data come from stock exchanges or secondary sources? How high is the topicality and availability?
  • License model: Are there restrictions in use? Are real time data included or additionally licensed?
  • Documentation: Is there a transparent description of API endpoints, sample calls and data structure?
  • Support: Are there contact persons for problems or do you want self-service tools?
  • Price design: Is the API reasonably scalable for the planned usage volume?

Conclusion: The API as the control center of modern financial applications 

What is a financial data API and how does it work? We went to the bottom of the question. Financial data APIs are today indispensable tools in the digital world of money supply, analysis and market observation. They offer highly flexible access the information needed for an application or tool – in real time, safe and via standardized interfaces.

Whether price data for investor portals, fundamental data for valuation models or indications for structured products: A powerful API saves time, reduces sources of errors and brings the decisive Information advantage. And precisely this advantage makes the difference more than ever in the dynamic market environment of 2025.

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