continuous trading

Continuous Trading

A method of transacting different securities orders. Continuous trading involves the immediate execution of orders upon their reception by market makers and specialists.

Notes:

Unlike batch trading, which collects similar orders and executes them all at once, continuous trading entails the immediate placement of orders to market. In the U.S., all trades occur on a continuous basis except at opening.

For example, a limit order to sell a security is immediately sent to market and remains there until either the order expires or a buy order with a higher or equal buying price is sent to market.

See also: Batch Trading, Execution, Limit Order, Market Maker, Open, Order, Specialist

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continuous trading

A trading system for securities in which transactions take place whenever a sell limit order equals or is less than a buy order or a buy limit order equals or is more than a sell order. Essentially, continuous trading occurs when dealers and brokers attempt to execute orders as soon as they have been received. Except for opening transactions, continuous trading is the way securities are bought and sold in the United States. Compare batch trading.