I really have no idea what to make of this kind of

I really have no idea what to make of this kind of data (whether it has value or not). I don't think you have to be a rocket scientist to recognize that there's manipulation here (SA article, bashers, lawsuits). I can't judge very well how much is collusion and how much is happenstance. I do like the way you are approaching your examination of the FINRA data problem though. I'm not smart enough (or to be kinder to myself) don't trust myself on timing a flip properly, so I buy and hold, I'm just hoping its a successful strategy in the long term and somehow outwits all of the game players...