Abstract: Within the financial-services industry, there are online centers that allow brokers to match sellers with buyers of financial instruments based on indications of interest. To follow up on these indications of interest, users of such centers are now using proprietary instant-messaging (IM) systems, which allow them to instantaneously exchange text messages over the Internet with other users. The present inventor recognized that these communications are often inconvenient because the IM programs are isolated from the financial information. Accordingly, he devised systems, methods, and software that integrate IM and other communications-related functions into financial-data displays. Ultimately, one of more of these or other embodiments promise improved efficiency and convenience of online interactions not only for financial trading partners and others in the financial-services industry, but also for those in any private, public, and commercial domain where rapid or convenient online communication is desirable.

Abstract: Described herein is a system and method for providing entity investment guidance via a communication network. The system includes a server, at least one entity-issued disclosure received by the server via the communication network and a storage accessible by the server. The storage includes at least one forecast data extracted from the at least one entity disclosure, said forecast data indicative of a projection of an entity performance parameter, and a context file for each of the forecast data, the context file including at least a portion of the entity disclosure associated with the forecast data. Also included in the system is a user interface in communication with the server, wherein the server generates an investment guidance display of the forecast data and the context file and transmits the display to the user interface via the communication network.

Abstract: A networked system for managing commercial interactions is providing. In some embodiments, the system includes: a bundle-passing interface between a plurality of networked users including distribution logic including a distribution control input responsive to machine-readable information in the bundles; and a statistics collection engine including a control input responsive to machine-readable information in the bundles.

Abstract: A networked commercial interaction management method assembles information into bundles that include a data element reference and meta data describing the data element. The method distributes the meta data and the data element reference from the bundles through the network, and distributes copies of the data elements in the bundles from the network node of their respective data owners to the network nodes of accessors using the meta data and the data element reference distributed through the network. In at least one embodiment, the method periodically issues bundle version identifying signals to different nodes of the network. The bundle version identifying signals indicate changes to the data elements to the network nodes of accessors.

Abstract: A computer-implemented networked commercial interaction management method distributes information bundles that include values for a plurality of content attribute descriptors and information fields characterizing commercial interactions. The content attribute descriptors include business language definition descriptors that specify the descriptive metadata of each of the information bundles, having at least one keyword having at least one value. The method monitors the distribution, response and manages the commercial interactions between networked users. Based on the keyword and the business language definition descriptors, the method derives traffic statistics based on the distribution and the response from the networked users via a statistics engine.

Abstract: A method comprises making a set of personal profiles available, from at least one buy-side user to at least one sell-side user, each personal profile in the set of personal profiles including a first set of first values for a plurality of information fields, the plurality of information fields relating to commercial transactions. Based upon the at least part of the set of personal profiles, the method receives a request to enter into a trusted relationship from the at least one sell-side user at the at least one buy-side user, and receives a set of trusted relationship information from the at least one sell-side user at the at least one buy-side user. The method sends the set of trusted relationship information, from the at least one buy-side user to the at least one sell-side user.

Abstract: A networked commercial interaction management method assembles information into bundles that include a data element reference and meta data describing the data element. The method distributes the meta data and the data element reference from the bundles through the network, and distributes copies of the data elements in the bundles from the network node of their respective data owners to the network nodes of accessors using the meta data and the data element reference distributed through the network. In at least one embodiment, the method periodically issues bundle version identifying signals to different nodes of the network. The bundle version identifying signals indicate changes to the data elements to the network nodes of accessors.

Abstract: An investor's performance is evaluated by utilizing information pertaining to at least one transaction made by the investor, such as an individual or entity, involving at least one investment. This evaluation includes determining a performance score indicative of the investor's performance relative to other investors. The performance score is determined at least in part by considering an average historical performance of the investment, following the transaction. In addition, the performance score is also determined by a historical consistency of the investor's performances with respect to transactions involving the investment, and the number of transactions made by the investor. Then, the performance score of the investor may be compared against the performance scores of other investors. Advantageously, this performance score may be used to produce a ranked list of investors in a particular industry, as well as with investors in different industries.

Abstract: An investor's performance is evaluated by utilizing information pertaining to at least one transaction made by the investor, such as an individual or entity, involving at least one investment. This evaluation includes determining a performance score indicative of the investor's performance relative to other investors. The performance score is determined at least in part by considering an average historical performance of the investment, following the transaction. In addition, the performance score is also determined by a historical consistency of the investor's performances with respect to transactions involving the investment, and the number of transactions made by the investor. Then, the performance score of the investor may be compared against the performance scores of other investors. Advantageously, this performance score may be used to produce a ranked list of investors in a particular industry, as well as with investors in different industries.

Abstract: An investor's performance is evaluated by utilizing information pertaining to at least one transaction made by the investor, such as an individual or entity, involving at least one investment. This evaluation includes determining a performance score indicative of the investor's performance relative to other investors. The performance score is determined at least in part by considering an average historical performance of the investment, following the transaction. In addition, the performance score is also determined by a historical consistency of the investor's performances with respect to transactions involving the investment, and the number of transactions made by the investor. Then, the performance score of the investor may be compared against the performance scores of other investors. Advantageously, this performance score may be used to produce a ranked list of investors in a particular industry, as well as with investors in different industries.