We've been struck by the slow forced attrition of the New York Stock Exchange floor. Indeed, floor traders have been reviled as dinosaurs for years. So you have to wonder what is next for these guys? The obvious place to move to is an electronic firm. And a few specialists have been hired by the likes of Kershner Trading. The larger question here is how will it all end? Some think there will always be guys on the floor. They point to recent market volatility as an example of great demand for floor services. But the economics do not favor the floor. Will they whither to nothing? Now would be a good time for specialists to come up with something dazzling. But I cannot think of what.

For more:
- here's an Investment Dealers' Digest article