When and how to use Level 2 (2024)

Day traders often think that there’s one tool or indicator that will generate their ‘aha’ moment and send them on the path of profitability.

But that’s not the case…

Trading is about having a full toolbox of tools you put together with your knowledge to start finding consistency.

Think about it this way…

Anyone can have a toolbox with a hammer, drill, level, and square, but they need the knowledge before they can use the tools to build a house or even a shed.

It’s the same with trading.

You can have a broker and a platform and all the indicators in the world… But without knowledge of how to use them, they’re useless.

One key tool traders like to use is Level 2.

So how do you use it? When should you use it? And what are the downfalls?

Read on to find out…

How to Use Level 2

Level 2 is a box on your platform that shows you buyers and sellers and what price they’re willing to pay…

It’s a list of orders waiting to get filled. And it can help you spot whether a stock is bullish or bearish

If Level 2 shows a lot of orders stocked in the bid column, with prices close to the current bid, that can be a bullish sign. Buyers are lined up to buy the stock.

But if the Level 2 box shows a wall of sellers stacked on the ask column, those sellers can act as resistance and keep the stock from going higher.

Look at this Level 2 example from Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited (NASDAQ: MLCO). It was just one of Oracle’s winning picks yesterday…

During midday trading, you can see there are an equal number of buyers willing to pay $6.93, as there are sellers willing to sell for $6.94.

But you can see the size on the ask is higher than the size of the buyers. That means sellers are selling more shares than buyers are wanting to buy.

This was taken yesterday afternoon when the stock was trying to get back to the high of day.

But you can see it on the chart it rejected and went lower…

MLCO chart: 1-day, 1-minute candle — courtesy of StocksToTrade.com

When to Use Level 2

Level 2 numbers change fast.

And when it comes to liquid Nasdaq stocks, there are so many games traders and market makers can play…

Orders can appear and disappear. Traders can hide their orders. And traders can cancel orders before they’re filled.

That’s why I mostly look at Level 2 when I’m in a trade…

Before I enter a trade, I’m focused on the pattern, key levels, VWAP, and price action.

But once a pattern has played out and I’m in the trade, then I care more about Level 2.

I care where big buyers and sellers are…

And I want to see if someone keeps dumping shares at a certain price and preventing it from climbing higher.

How to Use Level 2

If you see a big seller on the ask side of the Level 2 box, it might be time to get out.

But you also have to read the price action…

If you don’t see big sellers on Level 2 but the stock is struggling to go higher, someone could be dumping shares with a hidden order.

You can also use Level 2 to help you pick levels to set your stop.

If there’s a big bidder showing on Level 2 after you’re in a position, you can risk just below that buyer.

Because if that big order fills, that means someone is hitting the bid and selling to get out. Or if it disappears, that can mean demand for the stock is gone.

And if there aren’t many bidders below that, the stock will likely go lower.

Level 2 can seem complicated to new traders. If you want to learn more about it — check out this video.

For more in-depth explanations and examples, SteadyTrade Team members can watch all my Level 2 webinars here.

If you’re not part of the Team — join today!

Have a great day everyone. See you all back here tomorrow.

Tim Bohen

Lead Trainer, StocksToTrade

When and how to use Level 2 (2024)

FAQs

How to answer a level 2 question? ›

Level Two questions can be answered after interpreting or analyzing text. They are inference-based. The answer is an INFERENCE. If it's a Level Two question, you apply your skills and concepts already known to what you learned from the text in order to understand what is being implied.

How to use level 2 data? ›

How to use Level 2 market data. Traders use level 2 market data to provide context to the numbers in level 1 data. Those who want to make money from small share price changes and those using high-frequency traders know the value of understanding the context of trades.

Is CFA level 2 enough? ›

Benefits of clearing CFA Level 2

Some of the top retail banks, investment firms and other financial companies prefer candidates with CFA Level 2 certification. There are several jobs for CFA Level 2 professionals, such as portfolio manager, financial analyst and research analyst.

What makes CFA level 2 so hard? ›

3) CFA Level II Exam Material is More Complex

The Level II CFA curriculum, by comparison, is not only equally broad but also contains numerous concepts that can be difficult to grasp. For example, swap valuation, CDS valuation, binomial options valuation, and Black–Scholes–Merton can all be mind-boggling topics.

What are some examples of level 2 questions? ›

4 Levels of Questioning
Level 1. Summarizing / Definitions / Fact QuestionsThese questions give you the vocabulary and scope of the subject matter.
Level 2. Analysis / Interpretation QuestionsHow did…occur?
Why does…occur?
What are the reasons for…?
What are types of…?
41 more rows

What is the difference between level 1, level 2, and level 3 questions? ›

* • Level 1 questions focus on gathering and recalling information. Level 2 questions focus on making sense of gathered information. Level 3 questions focus on applying and evaluating information.

What is Level 2 used for? ›

Grounded in metabolic and behavioral science, Level2 equips eligible participants with continuous glucose monitors (CGM) and personalized support from a care team to help encourage healthier lifestyle decisions, like food choices, exercise and sleep patterns.

Is level 2 worth it? ›

Why Use Level II? Level II quotes can provide a lot of information about a given stock: You can learn what kind of buying is taking place (retail or institutional) by looking at the type of market participants that are involved. Large institutions don't use the same market makers as retail traders.

What is the bid and ask on level 2? ›

Each bid and ask includes the order size in shares or 100-share lots and the bank or market maker on the exchange that submitted the order. The Level 2 order information shows a weighting of bids and asks where volume has accumulated.

Which is harder, CFA level 2 or 3? ›

Is the CFA Level III Exam Harder than Level II? Yes, the Level III exam is harder than the Level II exam because the Level III exam contains a constructed response section, and your knowledge in Portfolio Construction and Asset Allocation makes up 30-40% of your Level III exam score.

Is level 1 better than level 2? ›

Level 2 is the next step up from Level 1, and is also often achieved in Years 10 and 11. Examples of Level 2 qualifications include: GCSE grades 9, 8, 7, 6, 5 or 4 (previously grades A*, A, B or C)

What percentage of people pass CFA Level 2? ›

Since 2014, the historical CFA pass rates for: Level 1 ranges from 22%-49%, with a 10-year average of 39%; Level 2 ranges from 29%-59%, with a 10-year average of 45%;

What is the hardest topic in CFA Level 2? ›

Hardest topics by CFA Level

Meanwhile, CFA Level 2 most difficult topics are typically Financial Statement Analysis, Portfolio Management, Ethics and Derivatives. Finally, CFA Level 3 hardest topics are Fixed Income, Ethics, Equity Investments, Alternative Investments and Derivatives.

Is passing CFA level 2 a big deal? ›

There are three tests to take before you become a charter member. The Level II test is the second, so when you complete it, you only have one more to go. Passing the Level II exam also demonstrates your dedication to your career and learning and can result in increased opportunities in your professional life.

How many people fail CFA Level 2? ›

Here's what you should know about pass rates on the CFA: Average pass rates tend to fluctuate. Level 1 pass rates have hovered around 37% Level 2 pass rates have been around 45%

How to form level 2 questions? ›

Level 2. Analysis/Interpretation Questions
  1. How did… occur?
  2. Why does… occur?
  3. What are the reasons for…?
  4. What are types of…?
  5. How does… function?
  6. How does the process occur?
  7. What are my own examples of…?
  8. What causes …to occur?

How do you answer a level question? ›

Strategies for Answering Exam Questions
  1. Read Instructions Carefully. Before diving into the questions, take a moment to read the instructions thoroughly. ...
  2. Manage Your Time Wisely. ...
  3. Analyse the Question. ...
  4. Plan Your Response. ...
  5. Be Concise and Clear. ...
  6. Provide Evidence and Examples. ...
  7. Review and Revise.
Feb 6, 2024

What is a level 2 question in Avid? ›

Level Two Questions (Text-Implicit) Readers infer answers from what the text implicitly states, finding answers in several places in the text.

What is a second level question? ›

Second-layer questions ask “why.” They encourage buyers to explain first-layer responses in more detail. These types of questions are vital because they prompt prospective customers to think through a thought, fact, behavior, or situation.

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