Algorithmic Trading in Practice

The use of computer algorithms in securities trading, or algorithmic trading, has become a central factor in modern financial markets. The desire for cost and time savings within the trading industry spurred buy side as well as sell side institutions to implement algorithmic services along the entire securities trading value chain. This chapter encompasses this algorithmic evolution, highlighting key cornerstones in it development discussing main trading strategies, and summarizing implications for overall securities markets quality. In addition, it touches on the contribution of algorithmic trading to the recent market turmoil, the U.S. Flash Crash, including the discussions of potential solutions for assuring market reliability and integrity.