What is a market maker and how do they influence stock prices?

@cornelius.fay 

A market maker is a financial institution or a specialized trader who helps facilitate the trading of securities in financial markets. They provide liquidity by buying and selling securities on their own account to ensure that there is a consistent market for these securities.

Market makers play a significant role in influencing stock prices through their continuous buying and selling activities. Here's how they influence stock prices:

1. Bid-Ask Spread: Market makers quote bid and ask prices for securities, representing the price at which they are willing to buy and sell. The bid price is typically lower than the ask price, creating a spread. By adjusting these prices, market makers determine the immediate supply and demand, affecting the stock's pricing equilibrium.
2. Depth of Market: Market makers provide depth in the market by displaying the number of shares they are willing to buy or sell at various prices. This information influences investors' decisions and can impact the stock price.
3. Absorbing Order Imbalances: When there is an excess of buyers or sellers in a particular stock, market makers step in to absorb these imbalances. For example, if there are more sellers than buyers, market makers may buy shares to maintain market stability. Conversely, they may sell shares if there are more buyers than sellers. By doing so, market makers mitigate extreme price fluctuations.
4. Stabilizing Security Prices: Market makers aim to maintain stable and orderly trading by providing liquidity throughout the day. They buy securities when demand is low and sell them when demand is high, which helps stabilize the stock price. This role is particularly important for less-liquid stocks.
5. Market Sentiment: As market makers have access to real-time order book data, they can gauge market sentiment and adjust their prices accordingly. If they observe increased demand or positive sentiment for a stock, they may slightly raise the ask price, influencing the overall market perception.

It's important to note that while market makers influence stock prices in the short term, their primary goal is to facilitate trading and maintain market efficiency, rather than manipulate prices.