(1) You can't expect a high-priced and volatile market to sit still. (2) There might be a "flipper" in the crude oil who will "sweep the screen" for ~5 cents at a time and hope to lighten up his position if there are a lot of orders that coat-tail onto his activity. It's not manipulation. It's assertive and aggressive trading.
Good reply Jango! I especially like "those little 2-3 point flutters". They seem to happen all the time (jumps I call them, you call them flutters). I like the whole post...
But... 1) This happens almost every time I enter a buy/sell. 2) How can they move the bid/ask so much? They see my order and as a group immediately move the bid/ask down (up)? I assume there are other players involved who still have their bids just below my limit order (which was executed at the ask).
Thanks. I usually call them "burps", but "flutters" seemed a little clearer. Today is the kind of day one could get f****d on the end of day volatility. I might stand aside and call it a day. Any calls as to whether the 2:00 break will be up or down (above 85, below 25)?
I'm thinking down, near the lows today. But like you said, very volatile market--anything can happen.
the answer is probably not only that it immediately goes 2-5 ticks against you, but it also immediately goes 2-5 ticks in your favor that you are ignoring. No one is watching you, and you are not a perfect fade, so the only explanation is that the market (yes, oil market with 1 cent ticks is a sloppy market) jumps around by nickles all the time. You may only notice the nickles that go against you.
Yes, you are probably right. I guess I am just a natural cynic and when I see markets behave suspicious on me I question them. Thanks.