What Is Post-Trade Processing?
Post-trade processing occurs after a trade is complete. At this point, the buyer and the seller compare trade details, approve the transaction, change records of ownership, and arrange for the transfer of securities and cash. Post-trade processing is especially important in markets that are not standardized, such as the over-the-counter (OTC) markets.
Key Takeaways
- Post-trade processing occurs after a trade is complete.
- At this point, the buyer and the seller compare trade details, approve the transaction, change records of ownership, and arrange for the transfer of securities and cash.
- Post-trade processing will usually include a settlement period and involve a clearing process.
- OTC trades that do not rely on centralized clearinghouses will need to settle their own trades, which exposes counterparty risk and settlement risk.
How Post-Trade Processing Works
Post-trade processing is important in that it verifies the details of a transaction. Markets and prices move fast; transactions are executed quickly, often instantaneously. Many securities trades are done over the phone; the ability for mistakes is inherent, despite traders’ skill. Increasingly trades are executed at high frequency by computers only. The chance for small mistakes to compound remains high.
Post-trade processing allows the buyer and seller of securities to root out and rectify these errors. In addition to matching the details of the buy and sell orders, post-trade processing includes shifting records of ownership and authorizing payment.
Trade Clearing and Settlement
After a trade is executed, the transaction enters what is known as the settlement period.During settlement, the buyer must make payment for the securities they purchased while the seller must deliver the security that was acquired. Depending on the type of security, settlement dates will vary. As an example of how settlement dates work, let's say that an investor buys shares of Amazon (AMZN) on Monday, Jan. 28, 2019. The broker will debit the investor's account for the total cost of the order immediately after its filled, but the status as a shareholder of Amazon will not be settled in the company's record books for the investor until Wednesday, Jan. 30. At that time, the investor would become a shareholder of record.
Once the trade has settled, and the funds in any sale of stock or another type of security have been credited to your account, the investor may choose to withdraw the funds, reinvest in new security or hold the amount in cash within the account. For those looking to cash out some of the profits (or what's left from a loss), check to see if your broker offers transfers to your bank account using the Automated Clearing House (ACH) or by using a wire transfer.
T+2
The settlement period for post-trade processing of stocks and several other exchange-traded assets. In March 2017, the SEC shortened the settlement period from T+3 to T+2 days toreflect improvements in technology, increased trading volumes and changes in investment products and the trading landscape.
Clearing is the process of reconciling purchases and sales of variousoptions, futures, orsecurities, as well as the direct transfer of funds from one financial institution to another. The process validates the availability of the appropriate funds, records the transfer, and in the case of securitiesensures the delivery of the securityto the buyer. Non-cleared trades can result insettlement risk, and if trades do not clear accounting errors will arise where real money can be lost.
Anout trade is a trade that cannot be placed because it was received by anexchangewith conflicting information. The associatedclearinghousecannot settle the trade because the data submittedby parties on both sides of the transaction is inconsistent or contradictory.
Examples of Post-Trade Processing
On the NYSE Bonds Platform, following trade completions, all Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) / National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC) Regional Interface Organization (RIO) eligible bond trades are sent to NSCC in order to match trade details of both buyers and respective sellers. Details are transmitted through the RIO.
Post-trade services have recently come to the forefront as a means for financial firms to diversify their revenue streams. Due to a combination of new regulations, the standardization of derivatives, and increased need for more complex processing measures, due to the growth of alternative assets, post-trade services are an areain which some firms have a chance to outstrip competitors.
Is Anything Being Done to Shorten Post-Trade Processing?
Yes. In Spring of 2022, the SEC announced a new proposal to shorten the clearing time for most stock trades to T+1 and solicit comment on further shortening it to same-day settlement, or T+0. If approved, the proposal anticipates an effective date around Q1 2024.
Why Does the Trade Date Differ From the Settlement Date for Stocks?
If you buy or sell shares of stock or other securities, the settlement date will often be between one and three days after the actual trade date. This is because it takes time for the post-trade processing, clearing, and settlement of the trade. Much of this has to do with older systems still in place to reconcile asset ownership and payment between exchanges, clearing firms, and brokerages.
What Kinds of Securities Currently Clear T+2? T+1?
Most stocks, ETFs, corporate bonds, municipal bonds, and spot FX trades settle T+2. Listed options and government securities clear T+1. Certificates of deposit (CDs) and commercial paper settle T+0.
