The Microstructure of the Bond Market in the 20th Century

B-Tier
Journal: Review of Economic Dynamics
Year: 2019
Volume: 33
Pages: 250-271

Score contribution per author:

1.005 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

Bonds are traded in opaque and fragmented over-the-counter markets. Is there something special about bonds precluding transparent limit-order markets? Historical experience suggests this is not the case. Before WWII, there was an active market in corporate and municipal bonds on the NYSE. Activity dropped dramatically, in the late 1920s for municipals and in the mid 1940s for corporate, as trading migrated to the over-the-counter market. Average trading costs in municipal bonds on the NYSE were half as large in 1926-1927 as they are today over the counter. Trading costs in corporate bonds for small investors in the 1940s were as low or lower than they are now. The difference in transactions costs likely reflects the differences in market structures, since underlying technological changes have likely reduced costs of matching buyers and sellers. (Copyright: Elsevier)

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:red:issued:18-278
Journal Field
Macro
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-24