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The visible hand: benchmarks, regulation, and liquidity

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  • Aquilina, Matteo
  • Ibikunle, Gbenga
  • Mollica, Vito
  • Steffen, Tom

Abstract

According to recent theoretical work, a more transparent and precise benchmark assessment should positively impact liquidity in the underlying market. We exploit a benchmark regime change in the $289 trillion interest rate swaps market to test this prediction. Utilizing proprietary electronic order book data, we find improved liquidity effects in the USD swaps market following the transition to the regulated ICE Swap Rate. Regulations that improve the methodology and oversight of benchmarks can, therefore, impact markets positively. Conservative estimates of direct savings in a single swap tenor on one trading platform are in the region of $4 million - $7 million.

Suggested Citation

  • Aquilina, Matteo & Ibikunle, Gbenga & Mollica, Vito & Steffen, Tom, 2022. "The visible hand: benchmarks, regulation, and liquidity," Journal of Financial Markets, Elsevier, vol. 61(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finmar:v:61:y:2022:i:c:s1386418122000271
    DOI: 10.1016/j.finmar.2022.100734
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    1. Benenchia, Matteo & Galati, Luca & Lepone, Andrew, 2024. "To fix or not to fix: The representativeness of the WM/R methodology that underpins the FX benchmark rates. A pre-registered report," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Benchmarks; Regulation; Interest rates; Liquidity; ISDAFIX; ICE Swap rate;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading
    • G18 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • G24 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Investment Banking; Venture Capital; Brokerage

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