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Strategies & Market Trends : The 56 Point TA; Charts With an Attitude -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Michael L. who wrote (27455)	3/17/1999 2:09:00 PM
From: Alski	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 79398

Michael, When a MM (or whoever) puts up a bid or ask price they also specify a quantity. That's what the BxA on Datek is showing, it's the number of shares they are willing to buy or sell at the quoted bid and ask prices. If you put in a market order they are obligated to honor the current bid or ask price only for the stated quantity, then they can change their price if they want. If you put in a buy limit order above the bid you may see your bid on streamer, if it's not immediately filled. An offer to sell below the current ask could also show up. Alski

To: Michael L. who wrote (27455)	3/17/1999 7:52:00 PM
From: Magnatizer	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 79398

Michael Bid X Ask is a relationship of buyers to sellers. From what I have seen it is easily manipulated so I do not rely on it very often. ONe thing I do watch for is orderly ratios 5X5 10X10.... where the market is moving in a given direction. This is a good sign the market is traveling in a path it really wants to move in. Many times you will see a huge balance on one side or the other. 100X5 or 45X1 or 3X50 for example. I do not pay much attention to the bid ask when the numbers look like this because more often than not a single tic move with totally shift the ratios. So, yes i use it on occasion as a verification NOT as a precursor. ht david