Equities

Exchange operator Nasdaq OMX Group has launched First North Premier, a new segment of First North, the alternative growth market of the group’s Nordic exchanges.

Electronic order books and market makers will continue to benefit from the changes to US market structure wrought by new pricing models, technology and regulation, while use of floor traders will continue to decline, according to a new study from research firm Celent.

Exchange operator Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEx)’s plans to impose price restrictions in its closing auction could reduce trading volumes in the session and may not be effective at reducing manipulation and gaming, according to some market participants.

The London Stock Exchange (LSE) has said it will introduce hidden limit orders on its trading platform on 16 March 2009, and has revealed more details about future hidden order functionality.

Equiduct Trading, a pan-European equity trading venue, has launched a suite of analytical tools which, the firm says, demonstrate that many trades sent to incumbent exchanges are not being executed at the best price available.

The volatile market conditions that caused higher trading costs and wider spreads in Q4 2008 did not result in a shift away from execution algorithms by Asia’s buy-side traders, according to Glen Gee, head of analytical products and research, Asia at agency broker ITG.

Software provider Progress Apama has predicted strengthening Brazilian demand for algorithmic trading solutions after unveiling its first client in the country, broker Ágora Corretora de Titulos e Valores Mobiliaro.

Turquoise, a broker-backed equity trading platform, will offer trading in Spanish stocks from 16 February.

The Bolsa de Valores de Colombia (BVC), Colombia’s domestic stock exchange, has launched a new high-speed cash equities trading system powered by Nasdaq OMX technology.

Asian institutional investors are prioritising sell-side research and advisory over execution services in volatile markets, while also cutting back their number of sell-side relationships, according a new report from consultancy Greenwich Associates.