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“The findings from our research suggest early warning signals that regulation and other market factors are contributing to a reduction in certain aspects of secondary market liquidity that is likely to be exacerbated by the unwinding of quantitative easing or another stressed market situation,” said the report’s author, Nick Forrest, Director in PwC UK’s Economics and Policy Practice. “Our analysis suggests it is important for policymakers to consider the aggregate impact of current regulation and weigh the incremental financial stability benefits of new rules against the incremental costs of diminishing market liquidity to ensure regulation is not counterproductive.”
The analysis indicates an early warning that this withdrawal of dealer liquidity to date has not caused measurable economic damage due to quantitative easing programs and extraordinary monetary policy that are reducing liquidity pressures, and because market participants are adapting by trading some instruments less frequently and in smaller sizes. However, following the unwinding of QE or in a stressed environment, liquidity risks and market fragilities are likely to be revealed, potentially resulting in higher volatility in financial markets.
PwC’s report highlights the important role and underlying economics of market-making, and the roles played by different market participants which contribute to resilient market functioning, including the vital role of dealer market makers as a source of liquidity.
The report concludes that it would be helpful for all stakeholders to better understand liquidity conditions and the link between regulation and market liquidity so that future regulations strike the right balance between promoting stability and maintaining financial markets liquidity. Further, it is important to review the global regulatory landscape to ensure coherence and to avoid detrimental financial markets liquidity effects or fragmentation that could disrupt the financial system.