Leonidas Barbopoulos (University of Edinburgh Business School)

The Real Effects of Dark Trading

Abstract. Up to 50% of trading in some stocks is in opaque off-market venues, prompting regulatory debate about dark trading. We analyze the real effects of dark trading and find that it positively impacts corporate investment decisions. In moderate amounts, it makes stock prices more informative, thereby helping managers learn from stock prices, and improving company performance. It also increases manager forecast accuracy and influences decisions during M&As. However, high levels can be harmful. We address identification through a quasi-natural experiment, instrumental variables, and Heckman selection models.