The above "Routing Report" is from 2003... but the point made stands.
2003 is post decimalization... so not all that much has changed.
Def: "On the cash side, all orders are filled at or better than the NBBO."
To address this statement:
(1) There is no official NBBO.
(2) IB calculates a real-time NBBO that is "in compliance".
How can I see the NBBO that SMART uses on my TWS?
And if not... why not?
(3) How can I see IB's IDEAL ECN bid/ask on my TWS?
And if not... why not?
(4) There is NO legal requirement for a broker to fill an order at the NBBO...
Only to provide the Customer with "best execution".
And there is NO definition of "best execution"....
Leaving a broker like IB with HUGE discretion on how to route an order.
http://www.ici.org/funds/abt/faqs_best_execution.html
(5) So Def's above statement CANNOT be true...
Unless IB goes above and beyond what is legally required at GREAT COST...
And gives a HUGE competitive advantage to it's competition.
(6) A broker can cheat a Customer...
Even by filling an order at the NBBO.
It's super easy.
You break it up into several pieces...
And send it to 2-3 different execution centers...
Which often results in an NBBO execution price... but a higher fee overall.
In regards to #6...
Dozens of times per day...
I see orders that are 100% fillable at NYSE...
Broken up by SMART and distributed among NYSE, an ECN, and IDEAL...
For a total fee that is higher than a 100% NYSE fill.
I don't care...
I'll pay 10% more...
It's a freaking drop in the ocean for me.
But still... explain it...
Explain SMART's algorithm for constantly fragmenting orders among several exchanges...
And how this benefits the Customer in spite of the higher fees.
A link to hard information would be paramount...
Because "opinions" from IB Personnel are just a game of "tire out the Customer".