Specialists and floor brokers, in direct contact on the trading floor, are at the heart of operations at the national U.S. equity exchanges. At the other end of the spectrum, electronic trading platforms characterize most other equity markets globally. Why have we not followed the international trend, and should we? Can the unique services offered by the floor be provided as effectively in an electronic environment? Which environment would institutional and retail traders each find most suitable to their special needs? These are some of the questions that will be addressed. In so doing, Electronic vs. Floor Based Trading will provide perspective on the future direction that exchange market structure is likely to follow in the coming years.

This book provides a comprehensive look at the challenges of keeping up with liquidity needs and technology advancements. It is also a sourcebook for understandable, practical solutions on trading and technology.

Focusing on market microstructure, Harris (chief economist, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission) introduces the practices and regulations governing stock trading markets. Writing to be understandable to the lay reader, he examines the structure of trading, puts forward an economic theory of trading, discusses speculative trading strategies, explores liquidity and volatility, and considers the evaluation of trader performance. Annotation (c)2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com).

The true meaning of investment discipline is to trade only when you rationally expect that you will achieve your desired objective. Accordingly, managers must thoroughly understand why they trade. Because trading is a zero-sum game, good investment discipline also requires that managers understand why their counterparties trade. This book surveys the many reasons why people trade and identifies the implications of the zero-sum game for investment discipline. It also identifies the origins of liquidity and thus of transaction costs, as well as when active investment strategies are profitable. The book then explains how managers must measure and control transaction costs to perform well. Electronic trading systems and electronic trading strategies now dominate trading in exchange markets throughout the world. The book identifies why speed is of such great importance to electronic traders, how they obtain it, and the trading strategies they use to exploit it. Finally, the book analyzes many issues associated with electronic trading that currently concern practitioners and regulators.

A timely guide that bridges the gap between microeconomic theory and practice through real-world application in the marketplace Understanding how microeconomics affects the marketplace is essential for any investment professional, however most books simply address microeconomics in its pure theory-based form. Micro Markets helps bridge the gap between theory and practice by defining microeconomics in terms of real-world, market applications. This timely guide elucidates basic microeconomic concepts with an emphasis on applicability. It establishes a common application for all of the basic economic concepts that are reviewed, and provides in-depth insights into an industry that is of major economic importance in aggregate, and to most individuals. Utilizes equity market realities to underscore the relevance of economic theory Each chapter includes informative practice problems and power points A companion Workbook, with practice problems and solutions, is also available By taking microeconomic theory and making it applicable to today's marketplace, Micro Markets builds a much-needed bridge between theory and practice.

Eminent economists, financial experts, and top bankers are the authors of the essays collected within these two volumes, which present a concise and authoritative overview of some of the latest and the most challenging issues facing India's financial sector in the 21st century.