HFT Scan: Kaveri Seed Company, Fortis Malar Hospitals in focus of algo traders

High-frequency trading was seen in Kaveri Seed Company, Fortis Malar Hospitals, and KM Sugar Mills on April 19. KM Sugar Mills touched a 52-week high on April 19.

High-frequency trading firms (HTFs) – or algo firms on steroids –use complex algorithms and powerful computers to execute trades at lightning speeds. These firms typically try to capture the spread between the spot and futures prices, but recently they have been active in small, illiquid stocks as well.

The volumes generated by them, more often than not, attracts retail investors to these stocks.

Stocks where HFTs were active on April 19:

Kaveri Seed Company Active names and traded stake: Graviton Research Capital (0.52 percent) Stock movement and volumes: Gained 10.47 percent to Rs 756.8. Trading volumes at 25 lakh shares versus 1-month average of 2 lakh shares Technicals: Stock is above 50-DMA and 200-DMA Fundamental trigger, if any: No

Fortis Malar Hospitals Acive names and traded stake: Camellia Tradex Private Limited (1.33 percent) Stock movement and volumes: Gained 10 percent to Rs 98.13. Trading volumes at 12 lakh shares versus 1-month average of 1 lakh shares Technicals: Stock is above 50-DMA and 200-DMA Fundamental trigger, if any: No

KM Sugar Mills Active names and traded stake: NK Securities (0.85 percent), QE Securities (0.84 percent), HRTI Private Limited (1.32 percent), Citadel Securities (0.89 percent) Stock movement and volumes: Gained 17.75 percent to Rs 42.45. Trading volumes at 3 crore shares versus 1-week average of 23 lakh shares Technicals: Stock is above 50-DMA and 200-DMA Fundamental trigger, if any: The company on March 12 announced its Q4FY24 results