Adverse selection costs for NASDAQ and NYSE after decimalization

NYSE and NASDAQ completed their decimalization on January 29, 2001 and on April 9, 2001 respectively. In this paper, we compare adverse selection component of the bid–ask spread for NASDAQ and NYSE stocks after decimalization using the data from May 2001 and July 2001. We find that the adverse selection component of the bid–ask spread is significantly lower on NASDAQ than on NYSE, and these differences cannot be attributed to the differences in the characteristics of the stocks traded in the two markets. In addition, we find that the adverse selection costs increase with trade size on NYSE, however there is no monotonic pattern observed for NASDAQ stocks. Lastly, we report that although the order flows arrived in the two markets are significantly different, they can at best explain a small portion of the observed differences in adverse selection costs.     

Great crashes in history: have they lessons for today?

Crashes in asset markets have been common throughout history,while financial crises, defined as crises in the banking system,have in some countries and periods been as common, and in othersmuch more rare. This article examines historical attitudes tothose events, and looks at some of the events themselves. Itis concluded first, that crashes need not inevitably be followedby crises; second, that crashes without crises do not have seriouseffects on the economy; and third, that there is a policy instrument,the lender of last resort, to prevent financial crises fromoccurring even should there be a substantial preceding fallin asset markets. These lessons from history, so it is argued,hold for recent events in South-east Asia and, indeed, applygenerally to any economy. The present can still learn from thepast.     

Decimals And Liquidity: A Study Of The Nyse

Using a carefully constructed matched sample of control (nondecimal) stocks, we isolate the effects of decimalization for a sample of NYSE‐listed common stocks trading in decimals. We find that the quoted depth as well as the quoted and effective bid‐ask spreads declined significantly following decimalization. Additionally, both the number of trades and trading volume declined significantly. Stock return volatilities display an initial increase but a decline over the longer term, probably as traders become more comfortable in their new milieu.     

MAKING WORK PAY FOR WELFARE RECIPIENTS

This paper describes five new welfare reform programs being tested in six areas of the United States and Canada. These programs all use financial incentives to encourage selfsufficiency among welfare recipients. Some programs also provide employment and training services. A microsimulation model is used to predict the impacts of the two most generous programs: the Canadian Self-Sufficiency Project (SSP) and the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP). The simulation results suggest that SSP and MFIP will modestly increase the number of welfare recipients who work. However, because SSP has a fulltime work requirement and MFIP does not, only SSP is predicted to generate an increase in fulltime employment     

TRACING PRICE CHANGES THROUGH STAGES OF PRODUCTION: AUSTRALIA, 1968 TO 19771

This study is concerned with an effort to analyze changes in costs and prices in the Australian economy by tracing the effects of changes in wages and import prices through the stages of production, using a disaggregated input-output model with lags. The object of constructing the model was to improve, by introducing lags, the accuracy of predictions of the effect of cost changes on prices, and to show the lag structures. Data problems encountered are discussed, and the need for integration of price statistics to enhance their usefulness for analyses such as this is emphasized. Concepts and sources of data are discussed in some detail in an appendix.