According to most analysts and pundits, reasons for the latest market sell-off include the following: China, low commodity prices, energy default rates, or an old-fashioned technical correction.
However, one issue that's flying surprisingly under the radar is high-frequency trading. Estimates vary, but it's thought at least half of all trading volume comes from machines, not man. Some figures cite HFT volume accounts for as high as 70 percent of market activity.
Regardless of your opinion on the worthiness of HFT, there are a handful of spooky charts circulating worth checking out. Eric Hunsader and Nanex, a top source for this type of information, have unveiled a tweetstorm of information this week.
Unprecedented Volatility
Low Liquidity
Individual Tickers Affected Too
Saved From The Brink
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