The Innovation Imperative – Applying Advanced Technology to Equity Trading
Artificial intelligence and predictive analytics are revolutionizing every aspect of securities dealing and investment management, including automated equity trading. In this session, we’ll examine ways in which cognitive computing and statistical analysis can help brokers – and ultimately the buyside – find liquidity and minimize transaction costs in global equity markets. 

Moderator: Dan Eisemann, Quantitative Trading Analyst, MFS Investment Management

Presenters:
• Michael Steliaros, Global Head of Quantitative Execution Services, Goldman Sachs
• Guhao Wu, Head of Quantitative Research, Electronic Equities, Deutsche Bank

The Year Ahead: Living with Covid and Looking for the Next Disruptors
With the annus horribilis of 2020 behind us, what can we expect from 2021? ITF rings in the New Year with a panel discussion looking ahead at the year to come in trading. We’ll examine topics such as exchange resilience, the consolidated tape, buyside trading desk automation, multi-asset trading and the return to the office.

Panelists:
• Chris Hollands, Head of European and US Sales and Account Management, TradingScreen
• Niki Beattie, CEO, Market Structure Partners
• Matthew McLoughlin, Head of Trading, Partner, Liontrust
• Ben Smith, CFA, Head of Trade Execution, Independent Franchise Partners, LLP

The Rise of European Retail: Lessons From the Boom in Individual Trading and Zero Commissions
Retail execution is a key focus for exchanges and is a rising trend worldwide. Two execution models compete in this space: “improved quotes” and “payment for order flow.” We will decipher the key features of these two approaches by comparing in-depth trades of two European trading venues. Which model provides the greater net benefits for end clients?  
 
Presented by: Paul Besson, Head of Quant Research, Euronext

SIs in Volatile Markets
During the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, volumes and volatility in European equity markets surged—did electronic liquidity provider systematic internalisers (ELP SIs) play a role? In this session, we examine the volume and market shares of ELP SIs during the first half of 2020 and analyse SI interaction with different types of trading algorithms and their performance in terms of execution quality.

Moderated by: Neil Bond, Former Head Trader, Ardevora Asset Management

Speakers:
• James Osborne, Global Co-Head of Algorithmic Development and Quantitative Research, Virtu Financial
• Rob Boardman, CEO Execution Services, EMEA, Virtu Financial

Trading at the Close: Concentrating or Fragmenting Liquidity?
An increasing proportion of global equity trading is being transacted at the closing auction. Depending on the exchange, anywhere from 20% to 40% of daily volume in Europe and 10% in the US is currently being executed at the close.  In order to remain competitive, many securities dealers are offering to match client orders at the closing price, and at least one exchange currently offers a competitive closing cross. Some market participants have voiced concerns that the migration of volume to the close will hamper price formation during continuous trading, while others argue that broker matches fragment liquidity at the close. In this session, we’ll discuss how buyside traders can best take advantage of liquidity at the close, and whether this migration of volume to the close is likely to continue.  
 
Panelists:
• Calvin Hayes, Head of U.S. Equities Trading, Jane Street
• Joe Collery, Head of Trading, Comgest