The short answer is YES volumes are down you only have to look at the turnover levels on global exchanges, this is primarily as a result of the following:
1. Investors loosing money and scared of loosing more
2. Investment banks (prime brokers and stock lenders) not lending money to hedge funds...
With the establishment of a working group by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC), Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) and the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) to review with the intent to regulate the Over the Counter (OTC) market and AISC’s proposed changes...