(Bloomberg) — The head of IntercontinentalExchange Inc., which is about to own the New York Stock Exchange, said U.S. equity markets are flawed because sophisticated traders are taking advantage of small investors.
A decade of regulatory and technological changes have fragmented trading across more than 50 markets and given rise to firms that use computerized algorithms to execute transactions in less than a thousandth of a second, far faster than humans. Also, almost 40 percent of volume takes place on private platforms, data compiled by Bloomberg show.
That means investors saving money to send their kids to college or to buy a home can be taken advantage of by traders who possess more information, ICE Chief Executive Officer Jeff Sprecher told analysts today during a conference call.
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Sophisticated firms are incentivized to take advantage of the people that are the weakest on the day they have to trade, and I think that that is fundamentally wrong, Sprecher said. Increasingly, when I go talk to friends and when I listen to people that are not involved specifically in what we do, there is a sense that things arent fair.
Sprechers company expects to close its acquisition of New York-based NYSE Euronext, the biggest owner of U.S. stock exchanges, within days, he said. ICE is further along than expected with its plan for integrating the company, he said.
Very Informed
We have a very informed view of what businesses were going to put where and who will run the various units of the combined company, Sprecher said.
The union creates one of the worlds largest bourse operators by giving Atlanta-based ICE new markets in interest- rate futures and the New York Stock Exchange. ICE on Oct. 30 postponed the planned Nov. 4 closing date to give European regulators more time to review the transaction.
Sprechers critique of modern equity markets comes after the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq Stock Market saw their dominance over U.S. equity trading eroded by a decade and a half of changes in regulations and technology.
Stock prices are now quoted in penny increments, undermining profits at market makers and forcing exchanges to turn to automated firms as their main source of liquidity. A 2007 rule change required stocks to trade on whatever venue has the best price at any given moment, helping legitimize alternative venues and solidifying the fragmentation of trading.
Flawed Structure
Small investors are hurt by the new structure of markets, Sprecher said today.
The current environment that takes advantage of people that have to trade or have poorer information is not particularly warranted or helpful or sustainable, he said.
NYSE can be a catalyst for change in the industry, he added. The market model is going to change, I think people in the business wanted the change, and hopefully by being transparent about it, we will be a positive force in causing the change.
Joseph Saluzzi, a frequent critic of modern equity markets, said he welcomes ICEs expansion beyond its current business in futures.
Im excited for when they come in and take over, said Saluzzi, partner and co-head of equity trading at Themis Trading LLC in Chatham, New Jersey. Because of the size and influence NYSE still commands, if they make changes, some of these other guys will go along, Saluzzi said, referring to NYSEs competitors.
Biggest Share
NYSE Euronext, which has the biggest market share, is among four major U.S. stock exchange owners along with Nasdaq OMX Group Inc., Bats Global Markets Inc. and Direct Edge Holdings LLC. Bats and Direct Edge are merging.
ICE said today that net income attributable to the company increased to $141.3 million, or $1.92 a share, in the quarter that ended Sept. 30 from $131.1 million, or $1.79 a share, a year earlier. Excluding merger-related costs and other items, ICE earned $1.97 a share, beating the average analyst estimate of $1.83 a share, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.
Shares of ICE rallied 2.1 percent to $197.97 today, extending their 2013 gain to 60 percent. The stock closed at a record high of $198.22 on Oct. 18.
Sprecher declined to identify specific changes that he plans at NYSE Euronext because the deal is still pending.
Very Special
Although U.S. stocks trade on more than 50 markets, including 13 that are officially designated as exchanges, the NYSE is the only one with a trading floor where humans help facilitate trading.
The NYSE is a very special place, Sprecher said today. During an Oct. 21 speech in Atlanta, he said human traders are still needed there.
Markets need a human touch, he said two weeks ago at the event held by the Atlanta Press Club. What were buying in the New York Stock Exchange is the place where everyone goes in times of trouble or times when the market is wanting real certainty, he added. Thats the one you want to own.
Asked today whether he would take over as the public face of the New York Stock Exchange after the acquisition is closed, Sprecher demurred.
I dont think Id be very good at it, he said. I know my own limitations. Its alluring as a manager to consider the role, though Im glad Duncan Niederauer is staying in that role, he said, referring to the current CEO of NYSE Euronext. Niederauer has committed to remaining with ICE through the end of 2014.
