"She said Germany would fight for a Europe-wide financial transaction tax by 2012, and suggested that it would bring an extra â¬2bn a year to the German budget.
The German thinking is to have a tax on all financial transactions, including computer trading and derivatives. The aim would be to include all high-speed transactions, rather than simply levy a tax on turnover. Although it is not expected to reach any agreement at the G20, Germany plans to push for an EU decision. If that is blocked, for example by the UK, Berlin will try for a eurozone transaction tax."
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/0f9548c8-7256-11df-9f82-00144feabdc0.html
$2 billion, or even $6 billion, is not much if spread across all types of instruments: stocks, bonds, fx and derivatives, so it shouldnt be a huge amount per share or contract.
However it will effect high frequency traders, scalpers and market makers the most unless they get an exemption.
The other worry would be that once introduced they will increase it over time.
The German thinking is to have a tax on all financial transactions, including computer trading and derivatives. The aim would be to include all high-speed transactions, rather than simply levy a tax on turnover. Although it is not expected to reach any agreement at the G20, Germany plans to push for an EU decision. If that is blocked, for example by the UK, Berlin will try for a eurozone transaction tax."
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/0f9548c8-7256-11df-9f82-00144feabdc0.html
$2 billion, or even $6 billion, is not much if spread across all types of instruments: stocks, bonds, fx and derivatives, so it shouldnt be a huge amount per share or contract.
However it will effect high frequency traders, scalpers and market makers the most unless they get an exemption.
The other worry would be that once introduced they will increase it over time.