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Do liquidity proxies measure liquidity accurately in ETFs?

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  • Marshall, Ben R.
  • Nguyen, Nhut H.
  • Visaltanachoti, Nuttawat

Abstract

We document the performance of liquidity proxies in ETFs. Most proxies are developed for use in equities. However, ETFs have lower asymmetric information, more algorithmic trading, and an active primary market where units are frequently created and redeemed. Using a comprehensive database of over 600 ETFs, we find that despite the differences between ETF and stock liquidity, proxies such as Daily Spread, High-Low, Close-High-Low, and Amihud all do a good job of capturing changes in effective and quoted spread transaction costs. However, no proxies accurately reflect movements in price impact or the level of actual transaction costs.

Suggested Citation

  • Marshall, Ben R. & Nguyen, Nhut H. & Visaltanachoti, Nuttawat, 2018. "Do liquidity proxies measure liquidity accurately in ETFs?," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 94-111.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:intfin:v:55:y:2018:i:c:p:94-111
    DOI: 10.1016/j.intfin.2018.02.011
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    Cited by:

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    3. Suardi, Sandy & Xu, Caihong & Zhou, Z. Ivy, 2022. "COVID-19 pandemic and liquidity commonality," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    4. Díaz, Antonio & Escribano, Ana, 2020. "Measuring the multi-faceted dimension of liquidity in financial markets: A literature review," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 51(C).
    5. Dumitrescu, Ariadna & Järvinen, Jesse & Zakriya, Mohammed, 2023. "Hidden Gem or Fool’s Gold: Can passive ESG ETFs outperform the benchmarks?," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 86(C).
    6. Pham, Son D. & Marshall, Ben R. & Nguyen, Nhut H. & Visaltanachoti, Nuttawat, 2021. "The liquidity of active ETFs," Global Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 49(C).
    7. Marszk, Adam & Lechman, Ewa, 2021. "Reshaping financial systems: The role of ICT in the diffusion of financial innovations – Recent evidence from European countries," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Liquidity measurement; Liquidity proxy; Transaction costs; Exchange traded funds; ETF;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions
    • G23 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Non-bank Financial Institutions; Financial Instruments; Institutional Investors

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