Dark pool network

Yes it is still in the syllabus (paragraph 4(f) ).

A dark pool is where shares are traded outside of the normal stock exchanges.
It has only been mentioned twice in the exam – the last time was in June 2015 and the examiners own answer explains it well:

“A dark pool network allows shares to be traded anonymously, away from public scrutiny. No information on the trade order is revealed prior to it taking place. The price and size of the order are only revealed once the trade has taken place. Two main reasons are given for dark pool networks: first they prevent the risk of other traders moving the share price up or down; and second they often result in reduced costs because trades normally take place at the mid-price between the bid and offer; and because broker-dealers try and use their own private pools, and thereby saving exchange fees.”

You are welcome 🙂