The Big Idea Archive

A bill seeking to reduce the cost of developing financial regulation in the US may disguise industry motives and threatens to delay implementation of the Dodd-Frank Act. read more>

Last week's delayed opening of the Chicago Board Options Exchange is just the latest in a long line of technology-related financial markets 'face plants', which last year included Knight Trading's rogue algorithm and the painful Facebook and BATS Global Markets IPO experiences. read more>

Swap execution facilities may be the cornerstone of G-20-inspired Dodd-Frank Act rules on OTC derivatives, but how they operate and whether they will attract sufficient liquidity remains unclear. read more>

A number of firms developing tools that incorporate social media sentiment into trading and investment, but does it represent a source of quality and actionable information upon which market participants can base trading decisions? read more>

Last year, investor confidence in the US cash equities mark took several hits, leaving many wondering whether the market structure has become too fast, too fragmented and too complex to operate fairly for all investors. read more>

It’s an idea which has been bandied around in one form or another for years, but with the support of one of the most influential lawmakers on Capital Hill, a potential merger of the Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Trading Futures Commission is now on the cards, with some market participants positive on the benefits it would offer the industry. read more>

A turbulent year for US exchanges has led to much soul searching among market participants as they begin to question whether the current equity market structure is fit for purpose. read more>

Will more competition in the US options markets bring real benefits to participants or will the trend toward diminution and fragmentation further undermine institutional investors? read more>

The faltering US IPO market has been punctuated by a series of high-profile failures this year that many have brought investor confidence to new lows. But opinions are mixed on how a healthy IPO pipeline can be restored. read more>

US institutional investors are seeking greater levels of customisation from their algorithms – but too many different algos can complicate best execution. read more>