Finamex (FINAMEXO.MX), a full-service independent broker dealer from Mexico City , and leading provider of innovative trading solutions, has released four opportunistic market trending algorithms for use by Direct Market Access (DMA) clients.
The main idea is to allow clients to effectively gain arbitrage profits while mitigating collocation and/or their own strategy-development costs.
Finamex's latest release of arbitrage algorithms have been designed to build opportunities on fungible domestic equities displayed in the Mexican exchange marketplace. Execution calculations work through pre-programmed algorithms built on leveraging theoretical quote pricing as the primary driver of behavior, speed and momentum.
There are a variety of features to how the Finamex arbitrage algorithms provide opportunities with US equities in the Mexican market:
1. Hunter - is an algo which seeks to take advantage of sudden inefficiencies between the equities of foreign listed symbols in Mexico versus their originating market (such as the QQQ or AAPL on the Nasdaq or NYSE markets). The Hunter algorithm computes required data-sets and adjusts itself independently within defined price spreads on the Mexican Stock Exchange (Bolsa Mexicana de Valores: BMV).
2. Ghost - has a characteristic of lying dormant until a desired buy/sell signal appears with a non-previously indicated ask/bid price then it executes contrarily. Similarly with the Finamex "Hunter" algo, Ghost receives the side, quantity and spread parameters of opposing bids/offers satisfying spread parameters of its local market yet quickly hitting IOC type status. This feature helps in the recognition of desired price opportunities without revealing trade strategy intentions by its clients.
3. Scaled - uses a two-spread metric like the Hunter algo, with a signal that triggers in a suddenly inefficient environment. The Scaled algo strategy is seen on a big spread definition, called a "base." Scaled reacts instantaneously when a lower spread, called the "target," is satisfied on the other side. Unlike the Finamex "Ghost" algo, the Scaled algo's intentions are exposed but move immediately when the target spread is satisfied. The Scaled strategy allows otherther market participants to preview this algo's activity, causing them to sometimes take a glance on the board, which in turn drive executions over the spreads.
4. Market-maker - a next generation algo intended to provide liquidity and act as a market maker within the local Mexican marketplace. Market-maker absorbs the last trade, adds an indicated spread and automatically places or replaces the order with an indicated quantity. In combination with pegging and short-sell models, the Marketmaker algo is highly beneficial for market making strategies and for acting on market divergences.
"We're putting in place all of these free strategies for clients who want to access the Mexican stock market with an almost-zero setup price. Our goal is to take Mexico to a higher level in the emerging markets priority list of global investors," states Hector Casavantes , head of Electronic Trading at Finamex. "We wanted to offer automated algo strategies in order to let investors know how active and easy this market can be to trade. All algorithms were architected with profitability in mind. They're highly customizable, completely auditable and comprehensive, fully meeting our clients' demands."
"With the addition of these tools, we've further enhanced our suite of algorithmic-trading products beyond our well-known execution algos in VWAPs, TWAPs, Implementation Shortfall and POV," Roberto Larenas , Head of Equity Markets at Finamex added. "While we are aware that these algos are more opportunistic, we are still keeping our business model as pure-agency. Buy-side firms are increasingly requesting new tools, new ideas, and new ways to exploit opportunities in emerging markets. Finamex is fully committed in addressing these demands with our best-of-the breed solutions."