Algorithmic Trading and the Market for Liquidity

Hendershott, Terrence; Riordan, Ryan

doi:10.2139/ssrn.2001912

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Algorithmic Trading and the Market for Liquidity

Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis (JFQA), Forthcoming

45 Pages Posted: 9 Feb 2012 Last revised: 12 Apr 2012

See all articles by Terrence Hendershott

Terrence Hendershott

University of California, Berkeley - Haas School of Business

Ryan Riordan

Queen's University - Smith School of Business; Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Faculty of Business Administration (Munich School of Management)

Date Written: April 11, 2012

Abstract

We examine the role of algorithmic traders (AT) in liquidity supply and demand in the 30 DAX stocks on the Deutsche Boerse in January 2008. AT represent 52% of market order volume and 64% of nonmarketable limit order volume. AT more actively monitor market liquidity than human traders. AT consume liquidity when it is cheap, i.e., when the bid-ask quotes are narrow, and supply liquidity when it is expensive. When spreads are narrow AT are less likely to submit new orders, less likely to cancel their orders, and more likely to initiate trades. AT react more quickly to events and even more so when spreads are wide.

Keywords: algorithmic trading, liquidity, market monitoring

JEL Classification: G10, G14

Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation

Hendershott, Terrence J. and Riordan, Ryan, Algorithmic Trading and the Market for Liquidity (April 11, 2012). Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis (JFQA), Forthcoming, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2001912 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2001912