This has nothing to do with the fact that I recently read 'Flash Boys' and 'Dark Pools' - but there is a bot in/on here.
To test this, I put in a tiny buy order today, and the split second that I did, an even smaller buy order miraculously jumped in front of mine. I left it for a few hours and then cancelled the order. The split second that I did, the other buy order was also cancelled. Waited and placed another buy order and the exact same thing happened. And the bot order executed (1,527 shares at 3:38:02 p.m.) and my order executed at exactly the same time (13,825 shares at 3:38:02 p.m.) - although the bot trade shows up in the system as having gone through first (ahead of mine). Am convinced of HFT action on this now and it suggests that some of the orders in the system aren't genuine.
Not overly fussed. Let the HFTs have fun. I have been buying all the way down from 18 cents and will continue to do so - with the blessing of the bots.
Anyone spoken with Mick Ruane recently?
EAR Price at posting:
13.0¢ Sentiment: Buy Disclosure: Held