Briefs

THE NASDAQ DATA STORE (data.nasdaq.com) has turned into a great bookmark for interesting market information. Although most of its products carry a fee, there are several in beta that you can access for free. No schedule is posted for implementing charges for these goodies, so take a peek while they're free and see if they add value to your trading regimen.

The most recent is Nasdaq Market Pathfinders, which evaluates the buying and selling patterns of Nasdaq market makers, and suggests whether they're giving off bullish or bearish signs. The results are displayed in a multi-colored bar chart that shows the behavior of certain traders, or pathfinders, whom the Nasdaq's data-mining service has identified based on their ability to anticipate trends. It will tell you if they're bullish or bearish, and the ratio of shares bought versus sold. Specific market participants aren't identified; their trading activity is aggregated for the display. The information is updated every second for Nasdaq trades. The aim is to give Market Pathfinders' subscribers a window on the behavior of the market makers, who can strongly affect a Nasdaq stock's price.

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