Here's how I buy I stock.
I research the financials, I study the charts, then I study the sector, then I assess general market sentiment.
I set the price I'm willing to pay.
I set the number of shares I want to buy.
I send a “limit” order.
If I can't get filled at my price or my share count, my order is cancelled.
The high speed traders can't touch me.
If they artificially raise the price, then, at some point in time, the price may come back down, and I'll buy then.
If the stock stays above the price I'm willing to pay, then I look for new stocks to buy.
Any mutual fund, any hedge fund, any institutional buyer can do EXACTLY the same thing I do.
The skimmers see your trade and act upon it before your trade occurs. Your trade goes through their system. Read the article.