Dark-pool trading reaches record levels in Europe

"European share trading taking place in anonymous, off-exchange venues known as "dark pools" reached its highest-ever level in July, amid lower volatility and a growing proliferation of high-frequency trading on the platforms.

About 10.3% of all European equities trading last month took place on these venues, according to data from Thomson Reuters. (...)

Dark pools do not display prices to the market, and allow investors to place orders anonymously to help minimise market impact. Trading often shifts to the venues in quieter periods, when institutions have increased confidence in trading away from exchanges or 'lit' markets."