When a trade occurs in the stockmarket,how do you tell if it is a buy or a sell?

Question

When a trade occurs in the stockmarket,how do you tell if it is a buy or a sell?

Answer 1

It's a trade. A trade means someone is giving and another is recieveing. So, technically it's both. But it is relative. If you are participating in the trade and someone is buying stock from you, then you are selling. If you are the one buying stock from someone, then you are the buyer.

Answer 2

You look under last sale, and see what it sold for.  Then compare it to the bid and ask, then you can tell.  At least its that way for TDAmeritrade.

Answer 3

it's both -  for every buy there has to be a sell, you can't have one with out the other

Answer 4

Both - there can't be a "sell" unless there's also a "buy."  Someone has to buy what you sell.

Answer 5

There  is  No  way  for  it  to  be  only  one .   .   .

If  I  SELL  100  shares  of  IBM ,

It  is   only  because  some  BOUGHT   100  shares .

How  could  you  transact   Anything  (even  a  car)

With   ONLY   a   Buyer   Or   Seller   ?   ?   ?

No  Way  !

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Answer 6

its both - someone is buying so someone is selling