[dblshot]

Stock trades that are mere miliseconds apart can make or break an investment company Well, there's yer problem right there. What possible rational explanation can there be for a system in which running to the head of the line informs values of stocks. Seems like nothing but an insiders way of screwing small town main street and puts real value appraisal behind relative value at the moment.

[Pecos]

Not arguing with your conclusion, just pointing out the reality of the situation. Physics is physics. In practical terms, the difference of those few milliseconds has to be multiplied by a jillion transactions for the distance to have any real effect. Since I don’t personally own an investment banking firm, this has yet to change my personal wealth. They make their money at one end of the scale, and I make mine at the other end. YMMV. ;-)