BAJAJ BROKING
January 27, 2023
11 mins read
What do you think is a better investment option – trading or investing? While both options promise to make you money, nowadays, trading is stealing the limelight.
At its core, trading focuses on short-term movements in the stock market. One of the trading strategies gaining popularity is Tick Trading. It is a high-risk & high-reward strategy that depends on making split seconds decisions. In this blog post, we'll explore the detrimental aspect of Tick Trading— Tick Size.
Tick size is the minimum price movement of a trading instrument. For example, if a stock has a tick size of INR 0.05, the price can move from INR 10.00 to INR 10.05 but not to INR 10.01. The tick size is determined by the stock exchange and can vary for different instruments. It plays a crucial role in defining the liquidity and volatility of a market. Smaller tick sizes can lead to narrower bid-ask spreads, enhancing market efficiency.
The origins of tick size go back to the early days of stock trading when transactions were executed in physical locations called trading pits. Each pit had its own rules and conventions, one of which was the minimum price change that could be made. This minimum price change was known as the tick size.
Today, tick sizes are typically much smaller than in the past due to the advent of electronic trading. Therefore, the modern narrative narrates that the name “tick” comes from the fact that each trade is usually only worth a slight change in price, known as a "tick."
There are many different stories of the origin of tick size, but its core purpose remains the same to prevent price manipulation and provide more liquidity. It is an integral part of the market structure. Regardless of the security being traded, the tick size provides an important measure of price stability and helps to ensure fair and orderly markets.
Tick trading is a strategy employed by traders that focuses on capitalizing on small price movements, often within the span of a single trading session. In the context of the Indian stock market, tick trading involves placing multiple trades in quick succession, taking advantage of the small increments defined by the tick size. This method is particularly popular in highly liquid markets where price movements are frequent and predictable. Traders use advanced algorithms and trading platforms to execute orders at precise moments, maximizing the potential for profit within these small price variations. The strategy requires a deep understanding of market dynamics and the ability to react swiftly to changes in market conditions.
Tick trading refers to a type of trading that focuses on the smallest possible price movement in a trading instrument. In the context of the stock market, this can be a single cent or paisa. Traders who engage in tick trading look for these minimal price movements to make a profit, often executing numerous trades within a short period.
Tick trading is a type of day trading that involves making trades in very short timeframes, typically just a few seconds or minutes. It consists in taking advantage of small price movements to make a profit.
Tick trading operates on the principle of exploiting the minimum price movement, or tick, in a security's price. In India, traders engaging in tick trading use sophisticated software and high-speed trading platforms to track and execute trades in real-time. They rely heavily on technical analysis, chart patterns, and market depth to predict short-term price movements. Tick trading strategies are often employed in highly volatile markets, where the price of a security fluctuates within a narrow range. Traders aim to enter and exit positions within seconds or minutes, accumulating profits from these small movements. Given the rapid pace of trading, tick traders must also manage transaction costs effectively to ensure profitability.
Tick trading involves closely monitoring the smallest price movements and making quick trades to capitalize on these changes. Traders use various strategies, including algorithmic trading, to analyze market trends and execute trades automatically. The goal is to take advantage of minute price fluctuations that occur within seconds or milliseconds. This requires a robust trading setup, advanced software, and real-time data feeds to be successful.
Tick trading consists of several key components that traders must understand to be successful:
Tick trading comprises several essential components:
These elements collectively influence the execution and outcome of tick trades, requiring traders to be adept at analyzing and responding to real-time data.
Tick trading is intrinsically linked to tick size, as the latter defines the minimum price increment that can be exploited by traders. In the Indian stock market, the tick size can significantly impact the profitability of a tick trading strategy. A smaller tick size allows for more precise entry and exit points, enabling traders to capture smaller price movements. Conversely, a larger tick size may limit trading opportunities but can also reduce market noise and the likelihood of erroneous trades. Traders must carefully consider the tick size when developing their strategies, as it directly influences the potential returns and risks involved in tick trading.
Tick trading heavily depends on the tick size, as it determines the minimum price change that can occur. Smaller tick sizes can result in more frequent trades and potentially lower trading costs. Conversely, larger tick sizes might reduce the number of trades but can increase profit margins per trade. The choice of tick size affects the strategy and profitability of tick trading.
For a tick trade to occur, there must be a minimum change in price equal to the tick size. If the tick size is too large, finding a counterparty willing to trade at that price level may be challenging. As a result, the tick's size directly impacts the market's liquidity and the traders' ability to find willing counterparties. Tick size also affects the cost of trading, as larger ticks incur more significant transaction costs. Thus, when choosing a tick size for a particular security, it is essential to strike a balance between liquidity and cost.
Several seasoned day traders and other short-term traders make quick profits from these small price movements. For more accurate results, Tick traders use special software that allows them to place trades very quickly. They often trade on multiple exchanges to take advantage of minor price differences.
Tick size represents the smallest possible price movement of a financial instrument on an exchange. In the context of the Indian stock market, tick size is set by regulatory bodies such as the NSE and BSE. For equities, the typical tick size is ₹0.05, meaning that the price of a stock can move up or down in increments of ₹0.05. Tick size is crucial for maintaining market order and ensuring that price changes are smooth and predictable. It also plays a significant role in determining the bid-ask spread and the liquidity of the market, which are essential factors for traders.
Tick size is the smallest possible price movement of a trading instrument. It represents the granularity of price changes and is set by the exchange. For instance, if a stock's tick size is INR 0.01, its price can move up or down in increments of INR 0.01. Tick size is crucial for maintaining an orderly market and ensuring fair price discovery.
The tick size is the smallest increment/reduction of price movement possible. For example, if a stock has a tick size of Rs.0.5, it can only move in increments/decrements of Rs.0.5- it can't move any less than that.
“Tick size is the smallest increment/reduction of price movement a security can make.”
In tick trading, the size of a tick, or the minimum price movement of a security, is an essential factor in trading. Moreover, a tick size directly impacts the liquidity of security and, ultimately, the price at which an investor can buy or sell shares. As a result, a tick size is essential because it helps ensure investors can trade stocks at a fair price.
To better understand tick size, consider the following examples:
These examples illustrate how tick size operates within the Indian stock market, providing a structured and predictable framework for price movements.
In the Indian stock market, tick size plays a crucial role in determining price movements and trading strategies. Here are some key points about tick size:
Understanding tick size is essential for traders aiming to optimize their trading strategies and capitalize on minute price movements.
The tick size is an important consideration when buying or selling shares. It is the minimum amount by which the price of a security can change. For example, a stock has a tick size of Rs. 0.5; the price can go up or down in increments/decrements of Rs. 0.5. Suppose the last traded price (LTP) was Rs.1000; then the following best bid prices for the stock shall be Rs.999.95, Rs.999.90, Rs.999.85, Rs.999.80, and Rs.999.75. Here, the tick size is set at Rs.0.05. Therefore, the bid price can not be Rs.999.87.
In India, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has stipulated the following Tick Sizes for stocks:
- Rs. 1 for stocks with a market capitalization of more than Rs. 10,000 crore
- Rs. 0.5 for stocks with a market capitalization of Rs.4,000 to Rs. 10,000 crore
- Rs. 0.05 for stocks with a market capitalization of less than Rs. 4,000 crores
The main reason for having different Tick Sizes for different stocks is to ensure adequate liquidity in the market for all stocks. With a large Tick Size, it would be difficult to find buyers or sellers for some of the less liquid stocks, and this would lead to wider bid-ask spreads and make it difficult for investors to trade these stocks. Thus, by having different Tick Sizes, SEBI safeguards sufficient liquidity in the market for all stocks while ensuring that investors can trade at reasonable prices.
Additionally, to guarantee that market orders are executed efficiently and at the best possible prices, SEBI has mandated that all stocks listed on Indian stock exchanges must have a tick size of Rs. 2 per share. This rule was put into effect in 2017, with a phase-in period. By requiring tick sizes for all stocks, SEBI aims to improve liquidity and tighten spreads in the market.
Tick trading offers several advantages for traders, including tighter spreads, faster execution, and increased liquidity. Moreover, it is advantageous because it helps ensure prices stay close to the true value while providing better opportunities for smaller investors. If you're looking to trade stocks in India, consider using tick orders to take advantage of these benefits. At Bajaj Broking, we always look for new and innovative ways to help our clients grow their investments. One such step taken was to incorporate tick trading into our investment offerings. You can download the app here.
Share this article: 
What is Demat Account
19 Sep, 2024 | 7 Min. read
Lowest Brokerage Trading and Demat Account
19 Mar, 2024 | 8 Min. read
What is Trade & Carry?
19 Mar, 2024 | 2 Min. read
Share Market Timings in India
18 Mar, 2024 | 5 Min. read
What are Futures/ Futures Contracts?
18 Mar, 2024 | 5 Min. read
What is a Callable Bond?
18 Mar, 2024 | 6 Min. read
Share Market Timings | BSE & NSE, Opening & Closing | Bajaj Broking
18 Mar, 2024 | 5 Min. read
Stock Market Trading Holidays
16 Feb, 2024 | 5 Min. read
Dividend Yield Calculator
16 Feb, 2024 | 4 Min. read
What are Penny Stocks
16 Feb, 2024 | 8 Min. read
Difference Between Cash Flow And Fund Flow
16 Feb, 2024 | 5 Min. read
Diversification in Investing
16 Feb, 2024 | 5 Min. read
Difference Between Shares and Stocks
September 19, 2024 | 6 mins read
Call & Put Options: A Guide on Stock Options Trading
September 29, 2022 | 9 Min. read
What is Pledging?
January 27, 2023 | 4 Min. read
What are Upper Circuit and Lower Circuit?
September 29, 2022 | 6 Min. read
How to Know your Demat Account Number
September 29, 2022 | 6 Min. read
What is Delivery Trading?
June 03, 2023 | 5 Min. read
Difference Between Bonds and Debentures
September 29, 2022 | 3 Min. read
What is a Bond?
September 29, 2022 | 5 Min. read
How to Do Bank NIFTY Intraday Option Trading?
September 29, 2022 | 9 Min. read
Tick trading in the stock market refers to a trading strategy that focuses on profiting from small price movements, or ticks, within a single trading session. It involves executing multiple trades in quick succession to capture these small changes.
Tick trading can increase market liquidity and reduce bid-ask spreads, making markets more efficient. However, it can also lead to increased volatility and may influence short-term price movements.
Tick size refers to the smallest price movement in a security on a stock exchange, while a pip is the smallest price movement in forex trading, typically representing a 0.0001 change in the currency pair's value.
In India, tick size is determined by exchanges like the NSE and BSE, and it varies based on the type of financial instrument. Factors such as liquidity, market structure, and trading volume are considered when setting tick sizes.
Benefits of smaller tick trading include tighter bid-ask spreads and increased liquidity. Drawbacks may include higher transaction costs and increased market noise, which can lead to erroneous trades.
Tick trading differs from other strategies in its focus on minute price movements and high-frequency trades. Unlike long-term strategies, tick trading involves rapid trade execution and small profit margins per trade.
Exchanges set and update tick sizes based on factors such as market conditions, trading volumes, and regulatory guidelines. Periodic reviews are conducted to en-sure that tick sizes remain appropriate for the current market environment.
No Result Found
Level up your stock market experience: Download the Bajaj Broking App for effortless investing and trading
TRENDING CALCULATORS AND STOCKS ON BAJAJ BROKING
