Why is the estimation of metaorder impact with public market data so challenging?

ArXiv ID: 2501.17096 “View on arXiv”

Authors: Unknown

Abstract

Estimating market impact and transaction costs of large trades (metaorders) is a very important topic in finance. However, using models of price and trade based on public market data provide average price trajectories which are qualitatively different from what is observed during real metaorder executions: the price increases linearly, rather than in a concave way, during the execution and the amount of reversion after its end is very limited. We claim that this is a generic phenomenon due to the fact that even sophisticated statistical models are unable to correctly describe the origin of the autocorrelation of the order flow. We propose a modified Transient Impact Model which provides more realistic trajectories by assuming that only a fraction of the metaorder trading triggers market order flow. Interestingly, in our model there is a critical condition on the kernels of the price and order flow equations in which market impact becomes permanent.

Keywords: Market Impact, Transient Impact Model, Order Flow Autocorrelation, Metaorders, Transaction Costs, Equities

Complexity vs Empirical Score

  • Math Complexity: 8.0/10
  • Empirical Rigor: 4.0/10
  • Quadrant: Lab Rats
  • Why: The paper presents a modified Transient Impact Model with closed-form solutions and kernel analysis, showing high mathematical sophistication. However, it relies on theoretical calibration of public data and lacks actual backtesting or implementation details for trading strategies, placing it in the theoretical research quadrant.
  flowchart TD
    A["Research Goal<br>Estimate Metaorder Impact<br>Using Public Market Data"] --> B["Methodology<br>Transient Impact Model TIM"]
    
    B --> C{"Data Inputs"}
    C --> C1["Trade Data"]
    C --> C2["Price Data"]
    C --> C3["Order Flow"]

    C --> D["Computational Process<br>Model Autocorrelation & Kernels"]
    
    D --> E{"Critical Condition<br>Kernel Analysis"}
    E -->|Not Met| F["Standard TIM<br>Underestimates Impact"]
    E -->|Met| G["Modified TIM<br>Partial Triggering of Flow"]

    F --> H["Key Findings<br>Linear Price Trajectory<br>Limited Reversion"]
    G --> H