Quote from mcurto:
Yes, most of these groups trade the basis. My brother works for a big basis group in Chicago and they are essentially automated with the trader actually pulling the trigger, and their program working their theoretical levels for the spread along with other parameters. These guys are good during less volatile times, but I would like to see a program do the same with the 1980's Treasury market, double volatility from what it is now, and some of these machines might be turned off, or relied upon less. Would make things more interesting to say the least.