Calm waters present 3 heavy volume contenders in stocks

The highest volumes today go to: HollyFrontier Corp, Cabot Oil & Gas Corp, Continental Resources, Inc..

Here's the most recent update: Markets are currently flat. Dow Jones drawing back 0.41% to 33,625. Nasdaq trades at 13,254 with no major change.

Why trading volume matters?

Trading volume is simply the total number of shares traded including both buy and sell orders. If a stock has appreciated on high volume, it is more likely to be a sustained move compared to an appreciation with low volume. Typically, high volume trading sessions are considered significant occurrences and closely watched by traders.

While trading was mostly flat Friday, some energy stocks are at high volumes. Check them out.

HollyFrontier | 4.78 million traded volume so far today exceeding the daily average by 119%

A blockbuster trading session for HollyFrontier Corp, eclipsing its average daily volume by 119% and recording 4.78 million.

Cabot Oil & Gas Corp | 18.76 million traded volume so far today exceeding the daily average by 219%

Currently, the oil and gas development company has a market capitalization of $17 billion with an average daily volume of 8.56 million shares.

A hectic day for Cabot Oil & Gas Corp, surpassing its average daily volume by 219% to reach 18.76 million.

Continental Resources trades at $74.27, after ending Friday at $74.24.

— Average trading volume refers to a 21-day rolling average.