Fixed income trading is an evolving marketplace. In this paper, we explore its transformative journey fueled by technological advancements, including:

  • From manual to digital: This market once reliant on manual, bilateral processes, now embracing electronic platforms, with 65% of U.S. Treasuries and a substantial portion of investment-grade and high-yield bonds traded electronically.
  • Market segment insights: U.S. Treasuries, credit markets, and emerging market debt, each adopting innovative trading mechanisms.

The emergence of execution management systems (EMS) in fixed income, mirroring their success in equities, is highlighted. EMS platforms centralize data, which help to improve liquidity efficiency and optimize execution performance. Additionally, the paper delves into the role of transition managers in mitigating risk during fixed income events, providing valuable insights into their distinct strategies and market interactions.

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