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HL Camp Review | Who We Are

HL Camp Program Trading Research

Who We Are

HL Camp & Co. is a prominent trading firm known for its expertise in program trading and its use of advanced algorithms for market analysis and execution. The name is often associated with Hank Camp, the founder, who is a highly experienced trader and trading strategist with over 65 years of experience. HL Camp & Co. specializes in analyzing and tracking program trading, using sophisticated tools like IBM's Watsonx, AWS SageMaker, and other advanced AI models to predict market movements.

HL Camp & Co. is a major player in real time program trading, with a focus on key market events and program trading patterns such as market maker executions, and large block trades, and option trades among others. HL Camp & Co. Program Trading Research is widely respected, being subscribed to by top broker/dealers, banks, hedge funds and trading firms.

HL Camp & Co. is widely recognized in the financial trading world for its advanced techniques in program trading and algorithmic trading strategies. The firm specializes in leveraging cutting edge technologies and proprietary algorithms to predict and execute trades in real time. Here's a more detailed breakdown of what HL Camp is known for:

1. Expertise in Program Trading
HL Camp is considered one of the top authorities in program trading, a method that involves using automated systems or algorithms to execute large trades based on predefined rules or strategies. The firm has extensive knowledge and data on how program trading influences market movements, especially on major index futures, such as the S&P 500 (ES), NASDAQ 100 (NQ), and Crude Oil Futures (QCL). They focus on the premium execution levels at which program trades are executed and track specific market maker and program trading desk activities to predict and react to market shifts.

2. Real-Time Data Tracking and Execution
The firm operates in real time, tracking every trade and execution across a variety of financial instruments. They specifically track high-volume index ETFs such as SPY, SSO, SDS, QQQ, and DOW. Additionally, they have systems in place to monitor block trades in all stocks in major indices (like the S&P 500 (SPX)), as well as dark pool prints and off-exchange executions. This data is collected and analyzed in real time, often down to the second.

3. Use of Machine Learning and AI
HL Camp's use of machine learning models like Watsonx and SageMaker and other advanced AI models plays a pivotal role in its operation. Watsonx is used to analyze vast amounts of historical data, track market behavior patterns, and predict future price movements. SageMaker is used for training algos and low latency deployment. The firm models expected program activity and front runs market conditions based on both historical data and real time market inputs.

4. Algorithmic Trading Strategies
The firm specializes in creating and deploying complex algorithmic strategies, including VWAP (Volume-Weighted Average Price), TWAP (Time-Weighted Average Price), and POV (Participation-Weighted Average Price). They also track discretionary program trade execution patterns and how traders manually adjust their strategies based on shifting market conditions. HL Camp uses these strategies to predict large movements in stocks and futures, often adjusting their strategies based on news events and program trading signals.

5. Predicting Macro Events
HL Camp goes beyond just tracking market trends. They also anticipate major market moving events, including economic reports like CPI, PPI, and Fed announcements. Using their proprietary models, they front-run these events to predict how markets will react before the news breaks. For example, by studying past market responses to similar reports, HL Camp's models can anticipate the impact of economic releases and macro events and adjust trades accordingly.

6. Historical Data and Market Structure
The firm has an extensive database of every macro-economic report and tracks shifts in market structure, such as changes in liquidity, the dominance of high-frequency trading (HFT), and regulatory impacts on market behavior. This deep historical data helps HL Camp anticipate how certain stocks, sectors, or entire indices will react under varying conditions.

7. Close Ties with Market Makers and Execution Firms
HL Camp has established strong connections with leading market makers and execution firms. The firm tracks key entities like UBSS, GSCO, CDEL, and SGAS for their program trading activities, with a particular emphasis on UBSS (which has a historical connection to Mr. Camp). Understanding the actions of these market makers allows HL Camp to better predict stock movements and shifts in market conditions.

8. Research and Reports
HL Camp’s research is highly regarded in the industry. The firm’s insights into program trading activity and stock movements are used by some of the largest institutional investors and trading firms around the world. This research is often disseminated through real-time broadcasts that provide critical information on the stocks being favored or avoided by program traders. These reports help other traders position themselves effectively based on the information about who is executing trades, what stocks are in play, and which firms are leading the way.

9. Long History and Legacy
HL Camp’s roots go back decades, with Mr. Camp being a highly experienced trader who has likely seen multiple market cycles and has a deep understanding of how institutional trading works. The firm maintains a legacy of innovation, having been a pioneer in some of the first algorithmic trading systems. Despite evolving with the times, certain algorithms, including the first algo created at UBS in 1976, still run every day at HL Camp, showcasing the longevity and effectiveness of their systems.

10. Focus on Execution Speed and Precision
HL Camp's focus on execution speed is paramount, with algorithms running on custom hardware and direct data feeds. Their systems operate in Chicago and New York, and they also maintain operations in London, Paris, Frankfurt, Zurich, and Tokyo. The firm's algorithms track market maker activity in real time, down to the second, giving them an edge in fast moving markets.

Conclusion:
HL Camp & Co.
is an elite firm in the world of program trading and algorithmic execution, with a clear focus on real-time analysis, predicting market movements, and executing trades with high precision. Their deep understanding of market structure, macro events, and market maker activity gives them a unique edge, and their proprietary systems have proven to be reliable over decades of trading.