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Measuring market liquidity: An introductory survey

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  • Alexandros Gabrielsen
  • Massimiliano Marzo
  • Paolo Zagaglia

Abstract

Asset liquidity in modern financial markets is a key but elusive concept. A market is often said to be liquid when the prevailing structure of transactions provides a prompt and secure link between the demand and supply of assets, thus delivering low costs of transaction. Providing a rigorous and empirically relevant definition of market liquidity has, however, provided to be a difficult task. This paper provides a critical review of the frameworks currently available for modelling and estimating the market liquidity of assets. We consider definitions that stress the role of the bid-ask spread and the estimation of its components that arise from alternative sources of market friction. In this case, intra-daily measures of liquidity appear relevant for capturing the core features of a market, and for their ability to describe the arrival of new information to market participants.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexandros Gabrielsen & Massimiliano Marzo & Paolo Zagaglia, 2011. "Measuring market liquidity: An introductory survey," Papers 1112.6169, arXiv.org.
    • Handle: RePEc:arx:papers:1112.6169
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • G1 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets
    • G10 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - General (includes Measurement and Data)
    • G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing; Trading Volume; Bond Interest Rates

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