Anonymity, Stealth Trading, and the Information Content of Broker Identity

This paper examines whether the identity of a broker involved in transactions contains information. Using a sample of transactions from the Australian Stock Exchange-where broker identity is transparent-we provide evidence that consecutive buyer-/seller-initiated transactions by the same broker have a relatively high permanent price impact. This implies that broker identity conveys information to market participants, and that markets in which broker identity is disclosed are likely to be more efficient. We also find that medium-sized trades by the same broker convey greater information than large and small trades, which is consistent with stealth trading by informed investors. Copyright (c) 2010, The Eastern Finance Association.