Zero-plus tick

Sometimes referred to as a zero-plus tick, the zero uptick involves the execution of a transaction at the same price as the last completed transaction. However, the price on these two recent transactions will be higher than the price involved with the two transactions that immediately preceded them. While the process may be somewhat difficult to explain, the actual execution involves a simple set of progressive steps.
Because the zero uptick involves the execution of two sets of two transactions, the point of zero upticks is to group the transactions and set the transaction price for each set at a rate that will result in profiting from a decline in price. As an example, if the first and second transactions in the series are executed at a rate of 25, then the next set of two transactions will need to take place at a higher rate. The rate for the second set of transactions does not have to be significantly higher in order for the uptick to work. Even a transaction price of 26 for the second set of transactions will work well, depending on the specific market conditions.
It should be noted that the implementation of a zero uptick might not work equally well in all investment markets. Since the process does involve applying a short to the transaction sequence, there may also be some restrictions on the use of the technique. One market where there are few restrictions on the use of shorts is in the currency market. A short is often utilized in the Forex market, and with an appreciable degree of success.
The zero uptick is the opposite of a zero-minus tick, in which the sequence of the use of prices is descending rather than ascending. However, the end result of both techniques can be the same, depending on the set of circumstances that currently prevail in the particular market. While the approach is relatively easy to master, the same level of care should be used in applying the zero uptick that would be used with any market strategy.

A choice market

A choice market is a stock market phenomenon that does not occur on a frequent basis. Essentially, a choice market is a short-lived condition in which there is no spread between the bid price and the ask price for a given investment. In other words, the security can be purchased or sold for the same price.
There are a couple of factors that must be present in order for a choice market to appear. First, there must be an extremely high amount of liquidity occurring within the market at that time. When this high amount of securities are being dumped on the open market, it may depress demand and drive prices down on given securities. The end result is that while the stock or commodity may be purchased for a good price, the ability to resell the same commodity at a profit simply does not exist.
A second factor that helps to create a choice market is a temporary limitation on the number of intermediaries available in the market. This condition will often come about as result of the high liquidity factor, in that an extreme amount of liquidity will directly impact the function and availability of intermediaries. When the period of high liquidity lasts for an extended amount of time, limited intermediaries are likely to take place and reinforce the presence of a choice market.
While a choice market can occur in just about any type of securities or trading market, the most frequent appearance of this phenomenon is within the Forex or currency trading market. It is not unusual for currency pairs to have a temporary spread of zero, or to at least experience a situation where the difference is one basis point or less. When the market for a stock or currency is this close to being zero, the situation is often understood to be a precursor to the onset of a choice market.