Just a comment, kind of the "duh" kind. Since NYSE/ARCA are one and the same, the volume went from one pocket to another (for a big portion anyway). We're having our meeting on Monday, I'll post up the universally relevent info. Don
I don't think you should focus on what pocket it is in, but what makes a better market. One of the exchanges bought one of the ECN's, and the other bought the other. The faster they integrate the technology, the better. First come first serve with a rational two sided market might be the best thing to happen to trading since the opening bell was ringing. You're going to have to pay someone to trade one way or the other, might as well do your listed where there is no "manual intervention".
As I've said before "be careful what you wish for." If we don't have anyone willing to take risks and participate in trades, we may end up buying our stocks at Walmart. Remember, we all make our money because seek out inefficiencies and provide liquidity (whan all is said and done, that's all we, as traders, do to make money). I think I posted this link before, but if you think things have "changed for the better" by eliminating manual intervention, here is how things are nearly back to where they've been for centuries. http://tradersmagazine.com/magazine.cfm?id=2871 Anyway, we all have to adapt to the markets, regardless of what is thrown at us, IMO. BTW, there is plenty of manual intervention with the MM's on OTC as well, just done differently, based on order flow. Don
I'm very careful what I wish for, and it's based on people who trade alot getting to the market quicker to be the existing bid/offer. They do that electronically. ther eis no wonder why the ECN's are getting this done - it's an active choice by those - be it trader or what is effectively an electronic market maker - to put their biz up wher eit will trade in a lot less opaque manner than it happens currently. If you don't think that someone isn't "jumping in" to trade - just because that person isn't floor based - I think you're missing what's really happening now. the great providers of liquidity aren't exactly wearing a canvas jacket anymore......