In March of 2000 the New York Stock Exchange proposed a merger with The Nasdaq Stock Market. Applying a qualitative assessment to the proposed merger from the organizations' perspective it is argued that the merger would be favorable for both organizations. Applying a quantitative assessment to...

We study empirically how competition among high-frequency traders (HFTs) affects their trading behavior and market quality. Our analysis exploits a unique dataset, which allows us to compare environments with and without high-frequency competition, and contains an exogenous event - a tick size...

I study empirically how competition among high-frequency traders (HFTs) affects their trading behavior and market quality. The analysis exploits a unique dataset, which allows comparing environments with and without high-frequency competition, and contains an exogenous event - a tick size reform...

The quality of ultra-high frequency quotes submitted to an entrant high-tech market (BATS Chi-X Europe – Chi-X) is compared to those of an established national exchange (London Stock Exchange – LSE). There are intraday variations regarding which platform impounds new information about the...

We study empirically how competition among high-frequency traders (HFTs) affects their trading behavior and market quality. Our analysis exploits a unique dataset, which allows us to compare environments with and without high-frequency competition, and contains an exogenous event - a tick size...

• We offer the first empirical exploration of fixed indexed annuity returns based upon actual contracts that were sold and actual interest that was credited.• Annuity returns have been competitive with alternative portfolios of stocks and bonds.• Their design has limited the downside...

This paper examines the impact of the timing of contributions to defined benefit (DB) and defined contribution (DC) plans on investment returns. I show that net contributions to DB plans are counter-cyclical, while net contributions to DC plans are uncorrelated with the business cycle. The...

There is a paucity of academic literature on stable value funds, although they occupy such a prominent place among retirement investment vehicles. They are offered in roughly one half of all defined contribution plans in the USA, with over $640 billion dollars worth of assets under management....

We study market reactions to the announcement of a company closing their defined benefit pension plan in the UK to future accrual. For a sample of 48 plan closures, observed between 2006 and 2013, the empirical tests show a relatively muted market reaction on average. Although estimated returns...

Setting an adequate level for the fees charged by pension fund administrators is a key design element for policymakers when establishing a second pension pillar. A proper balance between the interest of future pensioners and the ones of administrators is required, but an optimal level of fees is...