May 11, 2010
Anything adding clarity to the markets is a good thing. As a small investor I find myself often mistrustful of market data in general because of the use of dark pools. It is likely that I am not alone in recognizing this market failure.
Of course the propritary nature of trading strategies is a significant factor and the SEC might be exposing itself to unnecessary trouble by gathering the proposed data. Perhaps a rule requiring exchanges to keep records that the SEC could access at need might be superior to a direct reporting system.
Just one last request. Clarity clarity clarity. I, like many retail investors, perceive that too much is going on behind the scenes and not enough in the open market place. The result is a dysfunctional exchange system where everyone believes that their information is unnecessarily incomplete.
If you read all of this, I am grateful. I would be even more grateful for a brief response to let me know my typing wasn't in vain. Thank you for all your hard work at the SEC in trying to keep our nation's marketplace strong and healthy.