Bid Offer data missing in API response

[NickCrusher]

Hi,

This is on a Demo account.  I don't see any bid/offer data, its always null.

 

"snapshot": {
        "marketStatus": "TRADEABLE",
        "netChange": -4.1,
        "percentageChange": -2.28,
        "updateTime": "08:24:54",
        "delayTime": 0,
        "bid": null,
        "offer": null,
        "high": 177.96,
        "low": 174.98,
        "binaryOdds": null,
        "decimalPlacesFactor": 2,
        "scalingFactor": 1,
        "controlledRiskExtraSpread": 0

Just a note, this only affects SHARES.  INDICES seem to be fine.
Can tech support have a look please?  Or if I'm doing something wrong, let me know.  Thanks!

[NickCrusher]

This only affects the CFD account type it seems, spread bet account receives the pricing information.

"snapshot": {
        "marketStatus": "TRADEABLE",
        "netChange": 1.5,
        "percentageChange": 0.11,
        "updateTime": "09:08:36",
        "delayTime": 0,
        "bid": 1325.2,
        "offer": 1329.3,
        "high": 1336.3,
        "low": 1313.7,
        "binaryOdds": null,
        "decimalPlacesFactor": 1,
        "scalingFactor": 1,
        "controlledRiskExtraSpread": 0
    }

I can add in some account switching logic when it comes to position management but that's a dirty workaround...

[NickCrusher]

*sigh* still no response... seeing as IG aren't the only ones offering an API based retail trading platform, I would've thought they'd pay a little more attention to things like this.

I'll give it another week before jumping over to Alpaca...

[jlz]

https://community.ig.com/forums/topic/12366-demo-api-errors/#comment-61607

It's been going on for a while unfortunately.

[NickCrusher]

Thanks jlz, I'm hoping we can take that as "it worked in the past" which means some kind dev might drop by and fix it (hopefully!)

[jlz]

12 hours ago, NickCrusher said:

*sigh* still no response... seeing as IG aren't the only ones offering an API based retail trading platform, I would've thought they'd pay a little more attention to things like this.

I'll give it another week before jumping over to Alpaca...

Since this post thread is not going to produce any result and will get ignored I wanted to ask you about Alpaca. I checked them and it seems to be only for Usaians. They ask for 30K to be a member of the club and if you are not a USA citizen they will ask you to send a form that  might or might not be valid to join. 
They seem to have all the goodies available, I wish we had something similar at this side of the pond. Why are you around here and not with them? What made you join the British? 

[Crusher1]

I'm seeing this issue too...

Edited August 22, 2020 by Crusher1
...

[Crusher1]

Sorry, looks like my account is locked for some reason.. so created a backup

Hi jlz, I read alpaca had no minimum deposit for live personal accounts but you're right that its not available for UK citizens... which answers the last question, I'm actually in the UK.

Sadly this does mean alpaca won't be a suitable alternative.  There's still Interactive Brokers and TD Ameritrade but I've already developed my system for IG's API so I'd rather not move if a fix was on its way.

I've bugged a bunch of their devs via LinkedIn, hopefully someone fixes the problem.  I did find a workaround that works but its very ugly involving switching back and forth between the spreadbet and CFD account...

[jlz]

I was involved this week in getting IB to work, they use a local java server that you have to run to create the gateway against their API so things are a bit more complex. Their docs are not clear and there aren't much examples to get started apart from what other devs have done on github. 

I will be sending what I have completed to:

https://github.com/oneangrytrader/brokerapiclients

They seem to have a much cheaper deal if you want to trade shares and they are available through the API so it is worth the effort to get it done.

[dmedin]

6 hours ago, jlz said:

a local java server

A local Java server running on Windows?  Must be secure AF, I'd totally trust my money with it

[jlz]

Actually it is more secure. Since you have to run the server yourself you won't need to store credentials or API keys anywhere. Not many can run a java server, you need to install the jdk and run specific commands. That creates an extra layer of security that will trust only the device you were able to set up.  You won't be able to access to your account from anywhere that is not running that server, meaning that only a device of your trust will be able to query they API. It is a 2FA for software developers. 

[dmedin]

I need to program myself a system, so I don't miss out on trades overnight or when I'm trying to pretend to work during the day  

[Crusher1]

Thanks for that jlz!  I think I'll explore the option this week.  Mind if I ask what fees you'd have to pay eg do you pay a fee for real time market access data?  I know IB has an inactivity fee but its manageable and to be honest, not too bad for what they offer.

Thanks again!

[jlz]

1 hour ago, Crusher1 said:

Thanks for that jlz!  I think I'll explore the option this week.  Mind if I ask what fees you'd have to pay eg do you pay a fee for real time market access data?  I know IB has an inactivity fee but its manageable and to be honest, not too bad for what they offer.

Thanks again!

I am right now trying to get the API to work so I didn't look into the fees yet. I always consider that a second step, if I can't automate it I won't be able to use it so first I must get it to work. I think the benefit will come when buying shares, my plan is to keep using IG for Spread Betting and IB for shares. They offer the option to deal with shares through the API so that is something we don't get here. I don't understand why IG don't offer an API for share dealing, that would be a game changer for me. 

[NickCrusher1]

Still an issue... @CharlotteIG don't suppose you've heard back from them?  If the code base at IG Labs is sane, this really should be a quick fix, no idea why its still not resolved..

[TheGuru12]

Yeah I use the API a lot and I have issues with missing data all the time. I’ve just come to accept it. It varies though. Sometimes it’s good sometimes it can be spotty at best. I just tend to do a check if the returned data is not NaN or None in Python