Quote from IBsoft:
We are not doing anything new. The volume spikes that you notice on QuoteTracker happen because Globex started including the spread volume in the volume figures for the outright future contracts.
The IB charts are unaffected by this.
We could compensate the Globex change by instead of using their total volume calculating our own. Given that the Sep quarterly expiration is imminent, which will dramatically reduce the roll volume, we decided not to make the change.
Instead, we continue working on the feature of providing real time 5 second HLOCVT bars, which will eliminate the occasional "missing High or Low" on the real-time charts. (This was requested by several of our customers). When this feed is available, QuoteTracker and others will be able to use it as well. Aside from the "missing High or Low" problem it will also fix the problem of the spread volume included in the outright volume.
"We are not doing anything new."
This is truly a factual statement!!
"
The IB charts are unaffected by this."
This statement scares me.
"Instead, we continue working on the feature of providing real time 5 second HLOCVT bars, which will eliminate the occasional "missing High or Low" on the real-time charts. (This was requested by several of our customers)."
Any inconsistencies destroy the integrity of the trading environment. I can only imagine it would have been several thousand people requesting this IF they would have been able to get through to customer service!
I know of hundreds of traders that have requested IB add Fixed Volume Bar Charts to their features but IB can't as long as they don't offer all the ticks and the conscientious from IB's Customer Service people is that they see no need in offering such a "Fringe" feature? I put that in quotes because I was in the room and heard one of their reps tell this to a customer.
This was a similar response I was told from other calls in regards to this question.
IMHO, in this day and age any company that blatantly ignores their customer's requirements and needs, creates a faulty working environment and treats customers service as an afterthought should be avoided like the plague.
IMHO, IB could rule the trading world if it weren't for their arrogant attitude toward this industry and their customers.