Regulators analyze 5/6 collapse

By Vikram Barhat | May 17, 2010 | Last updated on May 17, 2010
2 min read

The comprehensive analysis of the events will also examine a number of electronic trading issues, such as the need to standardize parameters used by Canadian stock exchanges and Alternative Trading Systems (ATSs).

Some marketplaces use “freeze parameters” on their trading engines that allow them to freeze trading in specific securities where a significant price fluctuation occurs. The system helps them determine if a sudden price movement is due to potentially erroneous trades.

The use of these parameters, however, is not consistent amongst the exchanges and ATSs, and the CSA and IIROC are addressing that inconsistency.

Vikram Barhat

UMIR rules allow IIROC to halt or suspend trading on a stock-by-stock basis or to impose a market-wide halt through the use of circuit breakers, which are applied consistently to all Canadian equity marketplaces. The Canadian regulators are examining the appropriateness of this circuit breaker policy.

The comprehensive analysis of the events will also examine a number of electronic trading issues, such as the need to standardize parameters used by Canadian stock exchanges and Alternative Trading Systems (ATSs).

Some marketplaces use “freeze parameters” on their trading engines that allow them to freeze trading in specific securities where a significant price fluctuation occurs. The system helps them determine if a sudden price movement is due to potentially erroneous trades.

The use of these parameters, however, is not consistent amongst the exchanges and ATSs, and the CSA and IIROC are addressing that inconsistency.