Frequently Asked Questions: Trading with RealTick
Does Vision offer after-hours trading capabilities? If so, what coverage is available?
Vision currently supports pre and post market trading via RealTick as follows: 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM EST pre-market and 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM EST post market.
Why can I only execute my orders through Vision (either "Vision Smart" or "Vision Algo)? Isn't RealTick agnostic when it comes to execution venue?
RealTick was built by Townsend Analytics to be agnostic when it comes to broker or execution venue. However, Vision has an arrangement to aggregate our order flow through key execution partners. By doing so, we are able to offer our clients such low pricing. The cost of this low pricing is that clients can not choose their own execution venue and we understand that this arrangement may not suit everyone. However, we have found that most people are well served via Vision's arrangement and we encourage you to learn more about our execution capabilities. We are confident that you will be impressed and well served by our smart router and the algorithms we provide.
Can I use RealTick to trade products other than equities or options?
RealTick was built to support other products including fixed income and futures (but not options on futures). However, through Vision users can only trade equities and equity/index options. If you are interested in trading futures and/or options on futures, please contact Vision to discuss the various trading platforms we have available through our commodities business. Vision is a self-clearing member of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and Chicago Board of Trade and can offer aggressive pricing and robust platforms for your futures trading needs. Futures and options involve substantial risk of loss and are not suitable for all investors.
I use multiple trading strategies, can I trade multiple portfolios on my one platform?
Yes, each specific strategy would have its own account and you may trade multiple accounts via RealTick.
I have a strategy based on orders, both market and limit, that buys or sells into the close or open. Can RealTick support this strategy?
Yes, RealTick can support this strategy. Market on the open, market on the close, limit on the open, or limit on the close are some of the more popular qualifiers used in active trading. Traders who recognize imbalances in the market attempt to take advantage of these short-term opportunities by utilizing a robust platform like RealTick to buy or sell at a profit.
If I have large orders to place how can RealTick help me organize my orders and my trading to limit mistakes?
RealTicks advanced order entry tools allow large orders to be staged thus working the order discretely and at your leisure. A trader could slice off child orders from the large block and efficiently see their strategy and orders executed. Vision is pleased to offer this highly customizable platform that can be tailored to individual trading needs, which can help eliminate errors and allow you to concentrate on profitable trends in the market.
Can I use Visions smart router for OTC and penny stocks?
No, because of the illiquid nature of most OTC and penny stocks you can not use Visions smart router for most of these issues. There are usually not enough markets or liquidity to benefit from a smart router taking these orders in and illiquid securities should therefore always be entered with limit orders.
Can I trade complex options strategies?
Yes, RealTicks multi-leg, (up to four legs), option order entry is easy to use and provides you with all the essential information needed when trading complex options strategies.
Can I use trailing stops and conditional orders?
Yes, trailing stops and conditional orders are also allowed and can be selected on the electronic order entry ticket when you enter your orders on RealTick.
