ACA Group Acquires Global Trading Analytics to Offer Clients Leading Transaction Cost Analysis Capabilities

Acquisition underscores ACA’s commitment to deliver technology-driven client solutions

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ACA Group (ACA), the leading governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) advisor in financial services, has acquired Global Trading Analytics (GTA), an independent provider of transaction cost analysis (TCA) services. The acquisition reinforces ACA’s commitment to enhancing its regulatory technology capabilities and addressing the evolving compliance needs of its global client base.

Based in Rutherford, New Jersey, GTA is a recognized leader in TCA and best execution solutions across multiple asset classes, including foreign exchange, global equities, fixed income, and derivatives. The team’s customized, high-touch approach aligns with ACA’s focus to combine GRC expertise and technology-enabled solutions.

TCA is a critical tool for financial services firms seeking to enhance execution efficiency, optimize trading strategies, and meet regulatory requirements. By evaluating both explicit costs (such as commissions and fees) and implicit costs (such as market impact and slippage), TCA provides institutional investors, asset managers, and traders with actionable insights across equities, fixed income, foreign exchange, futures, and options. This data-driven approach enables firms to refine their entire trading process, including algorithmic trading strategies, order routing improvements, and execution quality assessments through equity pre-trade modeling and post-trade analysis.

Additionally, with regulators placing a continued emphasis on best execution practices, TCA plays a vital role in helping firms demonstrate compliance by providing robust reporting and broker performance assessments. As financial markets grow more complex and competitive, TCA solutions are designed to help firms reduce costs, improve decision-making, and drive better investment outcomes.

GTA’s strong market reputation and existing client base includes registered investment advisers, asset managers, wealth managers, and broker-dealers, and will complement ACA’s client portfolio. Approximately half of GTA’s clients already utilize ACA for technology and GRC solutions, providing significant opportunities to deliver holistic end-to-end support across each client base.

“The acquisition of GTA underscores our ongoing commitment to expanding our offerings and equipping our clients with the tools and expertise they need to meet evolving compliance requirements,” said Patrick Olson, CEO of ACA. “By offering clients a best-in-class TCA solution, we are addressing a key need for our clients while strengthening our position as a leader in the regulatory technology space.”

“Joining ACA represents a significant step for GTA. Along with my fellow co-founders, Joe Arleo and Clem Cheng, we’re pleased that this partnership ensures our clients will continue to receive the high-touch service they rely on, now strengthened by ACA’s complementary capabilities and broad resources,” said John Halligan, Co-Founder and President of GTA. “Together, we’re positioned to provide a fully integrated solution that meets firms' compliance and trading needs.”

About ACA Group

ACA Group (ACA) is the leading governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) advisor in financial services. For over 20 years, we’ve empowered our clients to launch, grow, and protect their business. Our global team of 1,400 employees includes former regulators and practitioners with a deep understanding of the regulatory landscape. Our innovative approach integrates advisory, managed services, distribution solutions, and analytics with our ComplianceAlpha^® technology platform. For more information on the new offering, visit https://www.acaglobal.com/transaction-cost-analysis-solution.

About Global Trading Analytics, LLC (GTA)

Global Trading Analytics, LLC (GTA) has been a leader in the fields of transaction cost analysis (TCA) and best execution reporting since 2005. GTA analyzes trading in the equity, foreign exchange, fixed income, futures and options markets. GTA was the first to offer TCA in all the aforementioned markets with the exception of equities.

Hallmarks of GTA’s methodology include innovative analyses, the highest levels of client service, flexible reporting, and industry-leading accuracy. For more information, visit www.gtanalytics.com.