I don’t agree that it is manipulation.  From your our very own...

I don’t agree that it is manipulation.  

From your our very own example, they are buying at 19.5 and then offering stock at 20. It is probably a programmed trade to take the small value on offer.  Do that over 50 stocks per day with a few computers and you could make a good living. 

it doesn’t always have to be anything sinister. Stocks that have moved sharply, as this one has, will always attract trading activity. 

Nothing unusual to see here. 

AL