Technology, Transactions Costs, and Investor Welfare: Is a Motley Fool Born Every Minute?
18 Pages Posted: 23 Jun 1997
There are 2 versions of this paper
Technology, Transactions Costs, and Investor Welfare: Is a Motley Fool Born Every Minute?
Technology, Transactions Costs, and Investor Welfare: Is a Motley Fool Born Every Minute?
Date Written: March 11, 1997
Abstract
Computer network technology promises to revolutionize the secondary securities market and particularly to reduce dramatically the marginal costs associated with trading corporate equities. Lowering transactions costs usually is presumed to increase trader welfare. Certain unique characteristics of the secondary securities market suggest, however, that reducing the marginal costs associated with trading stocks may have the perverse and counterintuitive effect of decreasing investor welfare. Policymakers should consider this possibility as they respond to the market's rapid evolution.
JEL Classification: G19
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation