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Investment in high-frequency trading technology: A real options approach

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  • Delaney, Laura

Abstract

This paper derives an optimal timing strategy for a regular slow trader considering investing in a high-frequency trading (HFT) technology. The market is fragmented, and slow traders compete with fast traders for trade execution. Given this optimal timing rule, I then characterise the equilibrium level of fast trading in the market as well as the welfare-maximising socially optimal level. I show that there is always a unique cost of investment such that the equilibrium level of fast trading and the socially optimal level coincide. Finally I discuss potential policy responses to addressing equilibrium and social optimality misalignment in HFT.

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  • Delaney, Laura, 2018. "Investment in high-frequency trading technology: A real options approach," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 270(1), pages 375-385.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ejores:v:270:y:2018:i:1:p:375-385
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ejor.2018.03.025
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    Cited by:

    1. Somayeh Kokabisaghi & Eric J Pauwels & Andre B Dorsman, 2019. "To snipe or not to snipe, that is the question! Transitions in sniping behaviour among competing algorithmic traders," Papers 1912.04012, arXiv.org, revised Sep 2020.
    2. Yang, Haijun & Ge, Hengshun & Luo, Ying, 2020. "The optimal bid-ask price strategies of high-frequency trading and the effect on market liquidity," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 53(C).
    3. Chuan-Chuan Ko & Chien-Yu Liu & Zan-Yu Chen & Jing Zhou, 2019. "Sustainable Development Economic Strategy Model for Reducing Carbon Emission by Using Real Options Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(19), pages 1-14, October.
    4. Ladley, Daniel, 2020. "The high frequency trade off between speed and sophistication," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    5. Jun Aoyagi, 2019. "Strategic Speed Choice by High-Frequency Traders under Speed Bumps," ISER Discussion Paper 1050, Institute of Social and Economic Research, Osaka University.
    6. Daniel Ladley, 2019. "The Design and Regulation of High Frequency Traders," Discussion Papers in Economics 19/02, Division of Economics, School of Business, University of Leicester.
    7. Li, Jiang-Cheng & Leng, Na & Zhong, Guang-Yan & Wei, Yu & Peng, Jia-Sheng, 2020. "Safe marginal time of crude oil price via escape problem of econophysics," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    8. Li-Chen Cheng & Yu-Hsiang Huang & Ming-Hua Hsieh & Mu-En Wu, 2021. "A Novel Trading Strategy Framework Based on Reinforcement Deep Learning for Financial Market Predictions," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 9(23), pages 1-16, November.
    9. Driouchi, Tarik & Trigeorgis, Lenos & So, Raymond H.Y., 2020. "Individual antecedents of real options appraisal: The role of national culture and ambiguity," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 286(3), pages 1018-1032.

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