Comparing Search and Intermediation Frictions Across Fixed-Income Markets

Apr 30, 2025

Gabor Pinter, Semih Uslu, Jean-Charles Wijnandts
over-the-counter markets search frictions market power Government Bonds Corporate Bonds

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We develop a two-asset search-and-bargaining model of OTC trading to estimate frictions and welfare losses in the UK government and corporate bond markets. Using transaction-level data and a matched client sample, we find that both trading delays and intermediation frictions are more pronounced in corporate bonds. Welfare losses due to these frictions are 2.4% in government bonds and 5.0% in corporate bonds—driven primarily by trading delays. Using data from the COVID-19 crisis, we find that these losses might more than double during turbulent times, revealing the fragility of the OTC market structure.


Gabor Pinter

Gabor Pinter

Semih Uslu

Semih Uslu

McGill University

Jean-Charles Wijnandts

Jean-Charles Wijnandts