Insights

As hedge funds and quantitative asset managers hunt for unique sources of alpha, Wall Street’s attention is turning to analysis of location data generated by mobile phones. Location data from mobile phones is now at the forefront of the push to combine data science techniques with machine learning techniques to produce actionable information on company fundamentals. FlexTrade’s Ivy Schmerken investigates.

As the SEC turns to examine market structure issues in the bond markets, it comes at a time when there has been a flurry of new electronic trading venues entering with a range of protocols. FlexTrade’s Ivy Schmerken investigates.

Corporate bond trading platforms are in the news again. Platforms that have launched innovative all-to-all trading protocols are attracting buy-side firms to their venues. FlexTrade’s Ivy Schmerken investigates.

With the growth of electronic trading in FX markets, Asia Pacific has become one of the fastest growing regions for currency trading. Vinay Trivedi, Senior Vice President, Strategic Initiatives & Head of FX Sales, APAC at FlexTrade Systems, discusses trends in FX markets and trading technology, specifically how the buy side is using aggregation tools and algorithmic trading through the execution management system (EMS) to seek the best price in Asian currency markets.

After more than a decade of debate, regulators are poised to act on a pilot for maker-or-taker pricing, a practice whereby market makers are paid a rebate to add liquidity and are charged a fee to remove liquidity by electronic trading venues. FlexTrade’s Ivy Schmerken investigates.

Competitive forces are at play in the OMS and EMS markets where vendors are expanding their capabilities at both ends to build the coveted OEMS. Due to tighter IT budgets, compliance mandates and expansion of electronic trading across asset classes, firms may be looking to bring these two platforms together. FlexTrade’s Ivy Schmerken investigates.

Algorithmic trading is gaining ground in FX among the buy-side, but there are variations between asset managers/pension funds and hedge funds/CTAs in adopting these tools. FlexTrade’s Ivy Schmerken examines further.

The debate over ‘last look’ in foreign exchange trading has resurfaced in 2016 as regulators continue to eye the practice and investors worry about slippage and potential market abuse. Regulators are said to be scrutinizing FX dealing platforms that contain last look, a controversial practice that enables market makers to delay or reject trades from customers after they’ve agreed to a quoted price.

As European regulators eye the FX market, the onus is falling on buy-side firms to develop best execution FX standards and take more control over their trades.

The SEC’s new proposed rules on transparency in alternative trading systems are going to shine a light on the operations of dark pools, ensuring fair access to information for all market participants.