Title: A theory of 'auction as a search' in speculative markets

Authors: Sudhanshu Pani

Addresses: School of Business Management, NMIMS University, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Abstract: The tatonnement process in high frequency order driven markets is modelled as a search by buyers for sellers and vice-versa. We propose a total order book model, comprising limit orders and latent orders, in the absence of a market maker. A zero intelligence approach of agents is employed using a diffusion-drift-reaction model, to explain the trading through continuous auctions (price and volume). The search (Levy or Brownian) for transaction price is the primary diffusion mechanism with other behavioural dynamics in the model inspired from foraging, chemotaxis and robotic search. Analytic and asymptotic analysis is provided for several scenarios and examples. Numerical simulation of the model extends our understanding of the relative performance between Brownian, superdiffusive and ballistic search in the model.

Keywords: market microstructure; Levy search; limit order markets; continuous auctions; high resolution; zero intelligence.

DOI: 10.1504/IJFMD.2020.111887

International Journal of Financial Markets and Derivatives, 2020 Vol.7 No.4, pp.337 - 374

Received: 12 Dec 2019
Accepted: 14 May 2020
Published online: 18 Dec 2020 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article