Alpha = The over/underperformance of a portfolio compared to a benchmark index.
Volume = The number of shares traded on a security during a given period of time.
By following the heavy volume, that large institutions create, you too can outpeform the S&P 500 index and create positive alpha. At minimum, you should always be peforming with the index and have an alpha of zero. If you look at your financial statements and see that you are not keeping up with the S&P 500 then fire your "advisor" and simply invest in the index.
