Model Predictive Control For Trade Execution

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: McAuliffe, Thomas P., Liew, Samuel, Li, Yuchao, Ushenin, Andrey, Wang, Chihang, Tasos, Alexandros, Pearce, Jack, Tasoulis, Dimitris, Bertsekas, Dimitri P., Tsagaris, Theodoros
Format: Preprint
Published: 2026
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author McAuliffe, Thomas P.
Liew, Samuel
Li, Yuchao
Ushenin, Andrey
Wang, Chihang
Tasos, Alexandros
Pearce, Jack
Tasoulis, Dimitris
Bertsekas, Dimitri P.
Tsagaris, Theodoros
author_facet McAuliffe, Thomas P.
Liew, Samuel
Li, Yuchao
Ushenin, Andrey
Wang, Chihang
Tasos, Alexandros
Pearce, Jack
Tasoulis, Dimitris
Bertsekas, Dimitri P.
Tsagaris, Theodoros
contents We address the problem of executing large client orders in continuous double-auction markets under time and liquidity constraints. We propose a model predictive control (MPC) framework that balances three competing objectives: order completion, market impact, and opportunity cost. Our algorithm is guided by a trading schedule (such as time-weighted average price or volume-weighted average price) but allows for deviations to reduce the expected execution cost, with due regard to risk. Our MPC algorithm executes the order progressively, and at each decision step it solves a fast quadratic program that trades off expected transaction cost against schedule deviation, while incorporating a residual cost term derived from a simple base policy. Approximate schedule adherence is maintained through explicit bounds, while variance constraints on deviation provide direct risk control. The resulting system is modular, data-driven, and suitable for deployment in production trading infrastructure. Using six months of NASDAQ 'level 3' data and simulated orders, we show that our MPC approach reduces schedule shortfall by approximately 40-50% relative to spread-crossing benchmarks and achieves significant reductions in slippage. Moreover, augmenting the base policy with predictive price information further enhances performance, highlighting the framework's flexibility for integration with forecasting components.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2603_28898
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Model Predictive Control For Trade Execution
McAuliffe, Thomas P.
Liew, Samuel
Li, Yuchao
Ushenin, Andrey
Wang, Chihang
Tasos, Alexandros
Pearce, Jack
Tasoulis, Dimitris
Bertsekas, Dimitri P.
Tsagaris, Theodoros
Trading and Market Microstructure
We address the problem of executing large client orders in continuous double-auction markets under time and liquidity constraints. We propose a model predictive control (MPC) framework that balances three competing objectives: order completion, market impact, and opportunity cost. Our algorithm is guided by a trading schedule (such as time-weighted average price or volume-weighted average price) but allows for deviations to reduce the expected execution cost, with due regard to risk. Our MPC algorithm executes the order progressively, and at each decision step it solves a fast quadratic program that trades off expected transaction cost against schedule deviation, while incorporating a residual cost term derived from a simple base policy. Approximate schedule adherence is maintained through explicit bounds, while variance constraints on deviation provide direct risk control. The resulting system is modular, data-driven, and suitable for deployment in production trading infrastructure. Using six months of NASDAQ 'level 3' data and simulated orders, we show that our MPC approach reduces schedule shortfall by approximately 40-50% relative to spread-crossing benchmarks and achieves significant reductions in slippage. Moreover, augmenting the base policy with predictive price information further enhances performance, highlighting the framework's flexibility for integration with forecasting components.
title Model Predictive Control For Trade Execution
topic Trading and Market Microstructure
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.28898