Take a look at the attached charts of the VIX and SPX, from the beginning (July 9) of the short rule change to present time. One can hardly make the argument that everything is the same. This was a first step for market participants to have a slightly more level playing field.
Your argument and logic are spurious at best. This period of time also marks the general downturn in the market ... this rule has nothing to do with the change in the VIX. JJ
While I see a subtle difference in the TICK, it's not enough to comment on, nor is really relevant to trading the financials, (well, maybe if you chase shadows, but otherwise, no). JJ
If you throw up a long term MA (eg, a 100 period MA on a 5min chart) on a chart of $TICK, you'll see that before the change, the MA would sit around 200-300 level. Since the change, it sits around Zero, as you would expect with the change. This may affect some traders entries/exits, if using $TICK as a signal, but it shouldn't be a problem to make adjustments. If you have watched the $TICK long enough, it is clearly obvious that it has changed.
It was always biased UP... Because shorting was tough due to "uptick rule". Since August 1st... It's just as easy to short as sell long... So there is MORE SHORTING... And shorting into downticks... Just more downticks overall. Shorting has always been about half my trading... And my short volume is up at least 20% versus pre-August 1st.
The tick has not changed at all. It's even more tick like than it was before. Tickier. You guys are hallucinating. JimmyJam is jammin Look at this tick chart, its the same as it always was.