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A market less efficient - FT.com
The changing role of stock markets has been accompanied by a radical change in the business models - and priorities - of exchanges, which have evolved from mutually owned "clubs" into listed companies driven by their own shareholders' need for returns. There are fears that some have lost sight of their public utility function as platforms for raising capital and, ultimately, helping with job creation. For many exchanges, the business of attracting flotations has lost its appeal, bringing in little more than initial listings fees. Instead, exchanges - especially large ones - are diversifying into derivatives and clearing, where margins are higher; and rolling out new technology to attract high-frequency traders. For example, NYSE Euronext, operator of the New York Stock Exchange, earned $334m of group revenue from company listings in the year to September, compared with $675m from derivatives.
The changing role of stock markets has been accompanied by a radical change in the business models - and priorities - of exchanges, which have evolved from mutually owned "clubs" into listed companies driven by their own shareholders' need for returns. There are fears that some have lost sight of their public utility function as platforms for raising capital and, ultimately, helping with job creation.
For many exchanges, the business of attracting flotations has lost its appeal, bringing in little more than initial listings fees. Instead, exchanges - especially large ones - are diversifying into derivatives and clearing, where margins are higher; and rolling out new technology to attract high-frequency traders. For example, NYSE Euronext, operator of the New York Stock Exchange, earned $334m of group revenue from company listings in the year to September, compared with $675m from derivatives.
Having non-profit, government controlled exchanges sounds good, but that's just because I think "non-profit" and "government controlled" sound good in general. I honestly don't know why they would be better in this case.
But I think the urgency is greater for commodity exchanges than for stock exchanges. Everybody knows a stock exchange is a shark pool, so when consenting adults jump into the pool they are kinda asking for it. Whereas commodities exchanges are much more of a choke point for the real economy: A shipping company needs to be able to buy bunkering oil six months forward, because it needs to be able to plan its logistics six months ahead. So it has to participate in the commodities markets.
- Jake Friends come and go. Enemies accumulate.
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