Technology, Transactions Costs, and Investor Welfare: Is a Motley Fool Born Every Minute?

Stout, Lynn A.

doi:10.2139/ssrn.39801

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Technology, Transactions Costs, and Investor Welfare: Is a Motley Fool Born Every Minute?

18 Pages Posted: 23 Jun 1997

See all articles by Lynn A. Stout

Lynn A. Stout

Cornell Law School - Jack G. Clarke Business Law Institute (deceased)

There are 2 versions of this paper

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

Stout, Lynn A., Technology, Transactions Costs, and Investor Welfare: Is a Motley Fool Born Every Minute? (March 11, 1997). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=39801 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.39801