Buying and Selling at Securities Exchanges
This highlights where securities are traded. You will learn more about the role of broker and dealer markets. You will also come to learn how these different markets are regulated. What are the different markets where securities are traded? What are the differences between each market?
Alternative Trading Systems
In addition to broker and dealer markets, alternative trading systems such as electronic communications networks (ECNs) make securities transactions. ECNs are private trading networks that allow institutional traders and some individuals to make direct transactions in what is called the fourth market. ECNs bypass brokers and dealers to automatically match electronic buy and sell orders. They are most effective for high-volume, actively traded stocks. Money managers and institutions such as pension funds and mutual funds with large amounts of money to invest like ECNs because they cost far less than other trading venues.