Algos find relief as volumes that had fallen due to Covid-19 bounce back

The number of shares traded, or volume, in the stock market had fallen 28 per cent for the month of April

Traders using stock market algorithms have found respite as volumes start to stabilise, after a sharp drop in activity during the early parts of the lockdown.

Algorithmic trading typically refers to the use of electronic systems, programmed with trading rules designed to exploit the smallest opportunities to make a profit. Algorithms can execute thousands of trades in the blink of an eye, but they need counterparties to these orders, especially in less-traded stocks. Many counterparties had been out of the market as indices crashed because of Covid-19 and logistical issues in the aftermath of the lockdown.  

The volume of shares traded in