pwillow1 , they are called algorithm traders Basically, they...

pwillow1 , they are called algorithm traders

Basically, they will trade for small pips or points, what they do are all computer programmed or controlled trades but last only few ticks

For example, in the SPI market depth, somethings u see some guy put on 100 buy order on the 2nd line of market depth, then every traders sees it jumps in front of each other starts buying on the ask price which pushes the SPI up 3 or 4 ticks then in a blink of eyelid that mystery 100 buy order disappears and more often than not SPI will come down to its original price

It was intended to trick most traders, that algorithm is looking to sell not buy, in order to ramp or trick as much traders as possible

Its happening all the time, in stocks too like BHP and the banks, just looking at the market depth there are no way humans can all of a sudden put 30,000 buy order on the bid then disappears and put on the ask side then disappear so quickly, it has to be computer based

Here is an interesting report on these new traders

http://www.theage.com.au/technology/biz-tech/meet-the-hightech-traders-making-millions-20091106-i1ri.html