An improved interface and display method is disclosed for clearly delineating a characteristic of a data item through a visual indicator. In the case of stock quotes, price and volume information available online may be real-time, delayed, opening, closing or after-hours. To identify such time distinctions, different color/symbol visual indicators are used, such as, for example, different colored traffic lights corresponding to the various types of data. The invention is particularly useful for complying with various trading exchange regulations in small form factor display applications, as such regulations can vary from exchange to exchange, and at the same time require clear delineation to an end user as to the type of information being viewed.