First, the explanation because there appears to be confusion.
The NASDAQ halt was in theory to protect investors, not institutions that have direct connections. The NASDAQ has a mandate to allow for aggregators. Aggregators are what the rest of us that can't afford a direct feed get. Apparently, these aggregating connections are not redundant. As a result, a problem between ARCA and NASDAQ forced the NASDAQ to halt ALL trading at all exchanges. It is important to note that non of this affects institutions that have direct feeds since the glitch was with the aggregators not having redundant networks. So while trading could have continued at the other 11 exchanges, it was a regulatory rule forced the NAZ to halt everywhere.
So it is idiot rules that caused the problem.
The NASDAQ halt was in theory to protect investors, not institutions that have direct connections. The NASDAQ has a mandate to allow for aggregators. Aggregators are what the rest of us that can't afford a direct feed get. Apparently, these aggregating connections are not redundant. As a result, a problem between ARCA and NASDAQ forced the NASDAQ to halt ALL trading at all exchanges. It is important to note that non of this affects institutions that have direct feeds since the glitch was with the aggregators not having redundant networks. So while trading could have continued at the other 11 exchanges, it was a regulatory rule forced the NAZ to halt everywhere.
So it is idiot rules that caused the problem.
:eek: