The Relation between Intraday Limit Order Book Depth and Spread

Prior studies that examine the relation between market depth and bid–ask spread are often limited to the first level of the limit order book. However, the full limit order book provides important information beyond the first level about the depth and spread, which affects the trading decisions of market participants. This paper examines the intraday behavior of depth and spread in the five-deep limit order book and the relation between depth and spread in a futures market setting. A dummy-variables regression framework is employed and is estimated using the generalized method of moments (GMM). Results indicate an inverse U-shaped pattern for depth and an increasing pattern for spread. After controlling for known explanatory factors, an inverse relation between the limit order book depth and spread is documented. The inverse relation holds for depth and spread at individual levels in the limit order book as well. Results indicate that market participants actively manage both the price (spread) and quantity (depth) dimensions of liquidity along the five-deep limit order book.