Market Impact and Timing Effects

CFA Level III: Trading and Market Microstructure · 4:03

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Lyrics

[Verse 1]
When you place a trade upon the market floor
Your order moves the price from where it was before
Buy a thousand shares and watch the price climb high
Sell them all at once and see the numbers fly

[Chorus]
Market impact hits when volumes start to grow
Temporary shocks will come and then they'll go
But permanent effects will make the new price stick
Time is money when you trade, so make it quick

[Verse 2]
Sarah needs to sell her million-dollar stake
If she dumps it all, the stock price she'll break
Temporary impact pushes prices down
But smart money waits to buy when she's around

[Chorus]
Market impact hits when volumes start to grow
Temporary shocks will come and then they'll go
But permanent effects will make the new price stick
Time is money when you trade, so make it quick

[Bridge]
Timing costs you money every single day
Delay your execution and you'll have to pay
Information leakage shows your trading hand
Break up large orders, that's the wise command

[Verse 3]
Liquidity providers keep the markets tight
But large trades will test them with their trading might
Bid-ask spreads will widen when the pressure's on
Wait too long to trade and profits might be gone

[Chorus]
Market impact hits when volumes start to grow
Temporary shocks will come and then they'll go
But permanent effects will make the new price stick
Time is money when you trade, so make it quick

[Outro]
Plan your trading strategy with impact in mind
Balance speed and stealth, leave no alpha behind
Temporary, permanent, timing costs all matter
In the world of trading, prices always scatter

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