Gmarkets Inc. has begun its latest survey of financial market transparency, the firm says.

The third edition of the survey, targeting institutional buy-side, retail investment advisors and private investors, has been expanded to include questions regarding the perception of transparency in the equity and foreign exchange markets, as well as the debt market.

The survey is anonymous and is conducted via a third party website. For their trouble, respondents will receive a copy of the consolidated, anonymous results.

“Recent events lead us to believe that this is the ideal time to measure perceptions of transparency in the debt, foreign exchange and equity markets,” said Robin Hanlon, president and CEO of Gmarkets. “The asset-backed commercial paper situation, toxic sub-prime market and interest rate volatility and expectations mean it’s a good time to provide a forum for market participants to be heard.”

Hanlon also noted that the Canadian Securities Administrators upcoming decision regarding the recognition of an information processor for the equity and debt markets (for which Gmarkets has applied) is also important. “Now that there are a handful of exchange-like marketplaces to trade equities, and many more marketplaces to trade currencies and bonds, it seems timelier than ever for this to happen,” Hanlon said.

“In my opinion, there is as much misplaced emphasis on transparency in the equity markets as there are public and inexpensive sources for this information, however, even investment advisors have access to limited sources of foreign exchange, money market and bond prices,” Hanlon added.

The firm also noted that on March 31 it will launch www.bondalpha.ca, a free, password protected website for buy-side investors, investment advisors and private investors to reference for accurate market data, regulatory updates and to discuss transparency.

IE