algos are always present in nearly every stock. algorithmic trades are 'market maker' trades. the arrangement the HFT firms have is basically that they get cheaper access than humans to the markets in return for providng liquidity that mkes charts perform as they do
ie they fill the gaps
the giveaway of HFT trades is where you see multiple non marketable parcel transactions - ie humans dont generally buy less than $500 worth of a stock because a $20 entry and exit broking fee means you'd need to assume a 10% return just t breakeven
algos get to do trades for 10c per trade - so they do a lot of non marketable small parcel trades - 308 shares etc - and by doing such small trades but varying price they vary human reactions to the price direction
the other tell - and what was obvious on BUD yesterday - was algos (and normal funds) will put fake trades into the bid and sell columns to either artifically constrain or drive up a stock - then remove those fake bids to leave the human sellers and buyers 'up in the air' or 'left behind'.
i dont have broker data sorry
these computerised shifts shouldnt worry you. fundamentals are king on small stocks
good quarterly and the breakout willl roll again. though be aware of first day dip and rip potential if professionals feel they are far too light ont he stock.
