Market structure affects the informational and real frictions faced by traders in equity markets. Using bid-ask spreads, we present evidence which suggests that while real frictions associated with the costs of supplying immediacy are less in order-driven systems, informational frictions...

This paper examines the report produced by the Competition Commission on the provision of SME banking services in the U.K. The report is assessed in terms of underlying assumptions used to describe and assess how banks operate and perform. The Competition Commission suggested “remedies” are...

This paper appraises the existing approaches used to measure the underpricing of Initial Public Offerings (IPOs). The conceptual problems surrounding the measurement of IPO underpricing are noted to be significant and suggest that underpricing costs and returns may need to be evaluated with...

Within the context of initial public offerings (IPOs) the value of firms at the point of flotation appears to be positively and significantly related to the amount of equity retained by the original owners. But certain theoretical arguments and some limited empirical evidence suggest that the...

Given the recent political landscape of the UK with the Labour Party forming a government for the first time since 1979, it is hardly surprising that the performance of the stock market under Tory and Labour governments is a topic of media and general interest. The primary purpose of this paper...