I normally ignore algo/HFT as just the market noise and don't worry about it too much.
However, yesterday I placed a small order to buy a few thousand warrants in a particular stock at $0.20 each. I didn't think it got filled, but this morning found out that Commsec actually bought just 1 warrant for me at $0.20!!!. 1 warrant!!!
That means they charge me $19.95 for the trade and another $19.95 when I sell my 1 warrant. But of course I can't sell it anyway because as a private trader I'm subject to minimum orders.
I'll buy some more and package it together to get out of this trade, but what a rort. Brokers are profiting off the 1 share pings that go out and trap retailers with unmarketable worthless parcels. How does that add liquidity or encourage private involvement in markets. What protection is there for private traders/investors paying brokerage and getting stuck with these 1 share pings.
