The UK's Financial Conduct Authority is to probe for anti-competitive practices in the pricing and packaging of pre- and post-trade wholesale market infrastructure.
The investigation forms part of a wide ranging review of competition across wholesale securities and investment markets, and related activities such as corporate banking.
Billed as an 'exploratory exercise', the watchdog says it is interested in "features of a market or behaviour that could inhibit or distort competition in the market".
In market infrastructure terms, the FCA is focusing on market data dissemination and pricing, access to clearing services, and the use of exchange-based co-location by high frequency trading firms.
The regulator has kicked-off a three-month consultation exercise with the publication of a 'call for inputs' document, to gather views and evidence from stakeholders.
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