Broker Numbers To Fall: Bloomberg

Buy-side traders, facing lower volatility and volumes, say that the number of agency brokers will decrease over the next year, according to comments by Bloomberg Tradebook, a global agency broker. 

Viewpoints on consolidation in the industry came at an invitation-only Bloomberg Tradebook forum rather imaginatively called The Future of the Buy-side Trader. The event was attended by senior buy-side traders and heads of institutional trading desks at leading hedge funds and asset management firms representing more than $1 trillion in assets under management, and simulcast live in Boston and New York.

The buy-side executives agreed that the most important factors in selecting an agency broker are independent research, trade ideas and educational forums that keep them abreast of the latest issues, trends and innovative technology solutions. Another key factor cited was sales trading desk support, but liquidity and flow were of much less importance in selecting an agency broker, the group noted.

When asked what kind of support they want most from their broker dealers, the group said colour on stocks and the market, followed by a trading desk to work orders and evaluations of the effectiveness of potential tools and algorithms.

Buy-side executives at the forum also said that future success depends on access to better algorithms, better workflow integration and better insight and education. In regards to pre-and-post trading tools, the group noted that they rely on transaction costs analysis in real-time and end-of-day reports for additional transparency.

“Buy-side traders are under intense pressure in the marketplace and expect their agency brokers to add value to the trade, give them high-quality market intelligence and provide innovative technology R&D to help maximise their performance,” said Ray Tierney, president and CEO of Bloomberg Tradebook.

This was the first in a series is designed to bring leading market players together to discuss the latest issues, trends and tools to help institutional investors succeed in the marketplace.  For more information: www.bloombergtradebook.com.