Bonds are traded in over-the-counter markets, where opacity and fragmentation imply large transaction costs for retail investors. Is there something special about bonds, in contrast to stocks, precluding transparent limit-order markets? Historical experience suggests this is not the case. Before...

The Internet reduces the cost of exchanging information. Electronic markets exploit this opportunity to enable investors to place quotes at very little cost and compete with incumbent trading systems. Does this quasi–free entry situation lead to competitive liquidity supply? We analyze trades...