# GET /api/mcp/data/search

> Which symbol is NVIDIA, and is it covered?

Searches the coverage universe by name or symbol and returns matches with sector and market-cap tier, plus whether an exact symbol match is supported.

- **Family:** Options chain (https://apexvol.com/developers/options-chain-api)
- **Plan:** Basic and above. Every call needs `Authorization: Bearer avmcp_<token>`; tokens are issued to paid and trial accounts under Account, then API Access.
- **Units:** None.
- **Basis:** The platform's coverage registry, refreshed from the data feed.
- **MCP tools:** `search_tickers`
- **Background:** https://apexvol.com/learn/what-is-a-stock

## Parameters

| Name | In | Default | Range | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `q` (required) | query |  | text | Company name or symbol fragment. |
| `limit` | query | 8 | 1 to 20 | Maximum matches. |

## Request

```bash
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer avmcp_YOUR_TOKEN" \
     "https://apexvol.com/api/mcp/data/search?q=nvidia"
```

## Response (captured 2026-09-08)

Real response, lists cut to the rows nearest the money. The envelope is `{"success": true, "data": ...}`.

```json
{
  "success": true,
  "data": {
    "count": 1,
    "exact_match": null,
    "query": "nvidia",
    "results": [
      {
        "market_cap_tier": "Mega Cap",
        "name": "NVIDIA Corporation",
        "sector": "Technology",
        "symbol": "NVDA"
      }
    ],
    "supported": false
  }
}
```

## Fields

- `results[].symbol, name, sector, market_cap_tier`: Each match.
- `supported, exact_match`: Whether the query is an exact covered symbol.

## Errors

- `401`: no or revoked token
- `429`: Retry-After seconds
- `424`: data feed unavailable, retry
- Full list: https://apexvol.com/developers/errors

## Ask it in an MCP client

- What is the ticker for NVIDIA?
- Is BRK.B covered?
- Find symbols matching "semiconductor".

Conventions for units, bases and timestamps: https://apexvol.com/developers/conventions