why IB is not showing the true size?

Discussion in 'Interactive Brokers' started by Bob111, May 19, 2009.

  1. Bob111

    Bob111

    i never realize this,since i'm using L1 and relatively happy with the quality. however-i don't really understand,why IB is not showing us real size on bid\ask?
    i was assuming, that what i see @ smart is cumulative size of best bid and offer. i was wrong..it's not a problem,when you trade 100 shares, but then you have to unload 1000 and IB only showing 100 like in example attached.
    and i don't even underhand the algorithm or whatever they use to choose what to show. it would be ok, if they show sum of all shares at all exchanges at best bid and offer. if they can't do that-it would be ok to display at least biggest size at NBBO. but this....this looks like a BS to me..

    Can anyone explain what is the problem with displaying real sizes on bid\ask?

    Thank you!
     
  2. rcj

    rcj

    No answers ??? bumpppp
     
  3. one of the reasons if decimalization. Ib is showing for example 8.85 or something for 100 for smart, but you see 8.85 and tons of lots. Its probably b/c ib is setting the decimal to only 2 decimal places, and its really 8.851 for 200 8.853 for 300, some fractions of cents.


     
  4. Bob111

    Bob111

    ok..we have all soft of useless features in TWS..why not to add something that make sense-show me cumulative size up to certain amount after decimal point.
    so if there is 7.77 on example above, and like you said-tons of 7.771 and so on-show me everything in one L1 quote,with price up to 1.775. or between 7.765 and 7.775
    btw-i never seen a fill(except,when order was executed at "smart") priced in 3 or whatever number of digits after decimal point...that is-if i'm buying at ask of 8-i got it at 8 and never at 7.998 or 7.995,except,as i said for "smart" execution
     
  5. Bob111

    Bob111

    this may give you an idea, how many people on ET actually trade..
     
  6. rcj

    rcj

    Yeah ...im surprised there's not more response...
     
  7. Nice theory but no sale.

    You'll see this problem on stocks that are not quoted that way at all. In fact, only cheap crap is quoted that way. Those prints you see at .00X are usually crosses, not off the level 2
     
  8. You have to be creative here at old ET.

    Rename the thread Size Matters, and all the 1" wonders will read it for sure.
     
  9. rcj

    rcj

    Quote from rcj:

    Yeah ...im surprised there's not more response...
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    From Stock...
    You have to be creative here at old ET.

    Rename the thread Size Matters, and all the 1" wonders will read it for sure.

    LOL ... but maybe not so funnie....ehh??

    Remember Mav74's tape reading thread about 3 yrs ago??
    I just wonder how many views/participants it would draw
    these days.
     
  10. There is no penny shaving on ECN's on stocks priced over $1. The shaved prints you see are trading on dark pools. Those won't show up on a level 2 or IB's level 1 as they are dark.
     
    #10     May 20, 2009