Q&A  |  JAN 2002

Q&A by Don Bright

Q&A by Don Bright MARKET MAKERS AND SYMBOLS First, I want to thank you for your efforts in educating new traders. I’ve reviewed some of the information available at the NYSE and Nasdaq websites. There’s a ton of material to learn from, but I still haven’t figured out where to find the symbols representing exchange members or how to trace their end-of-day trading activities. Second, I have to confess that I speak as a naive equity trader from home with a three- to five-day perspective. I am trying to figure out the rules and participants on the playing field(s). Who are these players, what are they doing, what does it mean? What are some of the intermarket relationships (for example, WRT futures)? You sometimes refer to “market maker.” I am sure that many readers would appreciate having a better understanding of who the different market makers or participants are, and how individual investors or traders should interpret their actions. Also, I would appreciate knowing where I could find timely information (preferably on the web) on what the major market makers such as exchange members are buying and selling. —Kurbanis Said

by Don Bright