High-frequency trading

HFT firms move in and out of positions in seconds or fractions of a second

High-frequency trading

HFT firms move in and out of positions in seconds or fractions of a second

High-frequency trading (HFT) is characterized by extremely rapid execution of trades, often within seconds or even fractions of a second. This speed allows HFT firms to capitalize on very small price discrepancies in the market. The rapid movement in and out of positions is a defining feature of HFT.

Example

An HFT firm might execute a trade to buy a stock at $100.00 and then sell it at $100.01 within a fraction of a second, capturing a tiny profit of $0.01 per trade.

Understanding the speed at which HFT operates is crucial for grasping the scale and impact of this trading strategy on financial markets.

Related concepts

Educational content, not financial advice.

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