Abstract: To create shares of an ETP based on a bulky metal, an authorized participant (AP) provides an amount of material, such as base or bulky metal, that is within an allowable range of the target value. A central intermediary intermediates the transfer of the mismatched weight between the ETP and the AP to bring the amount of the applicable material or bulky metal to the exact amount needed for the creation (or redemption, in the reverse transaction) of the ETP shares. The ownership of the last unit of bulky metal transferred in relation to the transaction is divided between the equalization facility and the ETP through the booking of account receivable/account payable transactions. The AP then pays or receives cash from the equalization facility based on whether too little or too much metal was transferred.

Abstract: A target outcome fund mimics an option in an underlying risky asset by holding a mix of the risky asset and a low-risk asset. The relative amount of the risky asset and the low risk asset held by the fund is periodically (e.g., monthly) rebalanced based on the fund's performance. If the fund over-performs, the target outcome is increased accordingly to prevent the fund becoming overly invested in the risky asset, thereby protecting gains made.

Abstract: To protect individual investors in a blind Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) from being disadvantaged compared to the Authorized participants (APs), a mechanism is provided to enable small lot redemptions at the ETF's Net Asset Value (NAV) price under certain conditions. The market price and NAV price for the ETF are monitored and if one or more threshold conditions are detected, a trigger event is determined to have occurred. When a trigger event occurs, individual investors are notified of an option to redeem small lots of ETF shares. If the option is exercised, the individual investors are paid for shares redeemed at the NAV price rather than the market price.

Abstract: In a drawdown strategy for an investor's retirement fund, assets from the fund are allocated between a drawdown account and an option annuity. The drawdown account contains assets that are invested in the markets, and the option annuity contains annuities that begin to pay at the end of a deferral period. In a first phase of investor's retirement, funds are drawn down from the drawdown account and paid to the investor, and the value of the option annuity grows as proceeds from the option annuity are accumulated by the option annuity. At some point the drawdown account is depleted, which corresponds to the end of the deferral period for the option annuity. At this time, a second phase of the retirement begins wherein the investor receives payments from the option annuity, and this continues for the remainder of the investor's life.

Abstract: A target outcome fund mimics an option in an underlying risky asset by holding a mix of the risky asset and a low-risk asset. The relative amount of the risky asset and the low risk asset held by the fund is periodically (e.g., monthly) rebalanced based on the fund's performance. If the fund over-performs, the target outcome is increased accordingly to prevent the fund becoming overly invested in the risky asset, thereby protecting gains made.

Abstract: An exchange-traded fund (ETF) has a multi-basket structure that allows shares of the ETF to be created using a different basket of assets than the basket of assets required to redeem shares of the ETF. A method for administering a multi-basket ETF comprises providing shares of the ETF to investors in exchange for assets defined in a published creation basket, providing assets defined in a published redemption basket to investors in exchange for shares of the ETF, and publishing a holdings basket that represents the assets held in the ETF. The multi-basket ETF can be used to implement an ETF holding assets that have a relatively low liquidity and/or accessibility. The multi-basket structure also enables financial strategies such as to minimize transaction costs, increase tax efficiency, access less liquid or less accessible markets or securities, and meet regulatory requirements and ETF investment objectives.

Abstract: An exchange-traded fund (ETF) has a multi-basket structure that allows shares of the ETF to be created using a different basket of assets than the basket of assets required to redeem shares of the ETF. A method for administering a multi-basket ETF comprises providing shares of the ETF to investors in exchange for assets defined in a published creation basket, providing assets defined in a published redemption basket to investors in exchange for shares of the ETF, and publishing a holdings basket that represents the assets held in the ETF. The multi-basket ETF can be used to implement an ETF holding assets that have a relatively low liquidity and/or accessibility. The multi-basket structure also enables financial strategies such as to minimize transaction costs, increase tax efficiency, access less liquid or less accessible markets or securities, and meet regulatory requirements and ETF investment objectives.

Abstract: A exchange-traded fund (ETF) has a multi-basket structure that allows shares of the ETF to be created using a different basket of assets than the basket of assets required to redeem shares of the ETF. A method for administering a multi-basket ETF comprises providing shares of the ETF to investors in exchange for assets defined in a published creation basket, providing assets defined in a published redemption basket to investors in exchange for shares of the ETF, and publishing a holdings basket that represents the assets held in the ETF. The multi-basket ETF can be used to implement an ETF holding assets that have a relatively low liquidity and/or accessibility. The multi-basket structure also enables financial strategies such as to minimize transaction costs, increase tax efficiency, access less liquid or less accessible markets or securities, and meet regulatory requirements and ETF investment objectives.

Abstract: A trading system enables investors to execute trades electronically on exchange at prices that are chosen in consideration of the derivative nature of ETFs as a portfolio of securities or other financial instruments. In addition to measuring liquidity in the ETF itself on exchange, the trading system analyzes the liquidity of the ETF's underlying portfolio to understand the liquidity that is available to investors in the ETF through the creation/redemption process. By monitoring the bid/ask spread of both the ETF and the underlying portfolio in real time, the trading system enables investors to leverage the full potential liquidity of ETFs. The trading system can be used to manage the data and pricing infrastructure for identifying these liquidity replenishment points and to make these prices actionable for investors.