Abstract: A system and methods for automatic scalping in an electronic trading environment are presented. According to one embodiment, a trading application may display an indicator associated with a price level based on which a tradable object can be automatically traded. When a scalping application detects a fill associated with a first order, the scalping application may automatically enter a second order to offset a position created with the first order. According to one embodiment, the second order is automatically placed on the market when the inside market moves to a predetermined price level in relation to the displayed indicator.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided for rebalancing an exchange-traded fund. The method is performed by a computer, and includes setting a daily target return for the exchange-traded fund based on a target base index. The method also includes monitoring an actual return of the exchange-traded fund over a time period. The method also includes setting a performance band for rebalancing the exchange-traded fund. The performance band is set based on the daily target return and a volatility of the target base index. The method further includes generating signals to rebalance the exchange-traded fund based on the performance band and the actual return.

Abstract: An enhanced system and method for handling, matching and executing discretionary orders in an electronic options environment is disclosed. Market maker entitlements are integrated with the discretionary order processing, so that the market maker is guaranteed an allocation of the trade if the market maker is at the NBBO when an incoming discretionary order priced at or better than the NBBO is received. If the incoming discretionary order cannot execute at the NBBO using its display price, then it will use as much discretion as is required to participate in a market maker entitlement if the market maker is quoting at the NBBO, and to execute against the order book and route to away markets quotations at the NBBO. Once posted to the order book, only the display price of a discretionary order is eligible for preferential execution in a market maker entitlement process.

Abstract: A computer system in a money transfer transaction. A request is received from a sender on a send computer to send a money transfer having a send amount. The sender is prompted on the send computer to select one or more parameters associated with the money transfer, the one or more parameters comprising money transfer receiver information including a receiver location. Money transfer fees associated with the money transfer are analyzed for a plurality of receive locations proximate the receiver location based on the selected one or more parameters. A receive location offering a lowest money transfer fee is selected from the plurality of receive locations. The send amount and fee for the selected receive location are collected from the sender. Information related to the money transfer is then stored, including the selected one or more parameters and the receive location, in a money transfer server.

Abstract: A method for automatically positioning information related to a commodity on a graphical user interface. Market information is displayed on the graphical user interface. The market information may be presented as a number of indicators, corresponding to particular items of interest, that are associated with a static scale. The scale may, for example, represent price. Upon detecting a predetermined condition, the location of the market information is automatically repositioned.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dynamic optimization of system control over time. The need for dynamic optimization arises in many settings, as diverse as solar car power consumption during a multi-day race and retirement portfolio management. We disclose a reformulation of the control problem that overcomes the so-called “curse of dimensionality” and allows formulation of optimal control policies multiple period planning horizons. One optimal control policy is for power consumption by a solar car during a race, which involves many course segments, as course conditions vary through a day. Another is for risk in and consumption from a portfolio intended to support retirement. Both multi-period control policies take into account future uncertainty. Particular aspects of the present invention are described in the claims, specification and drawings.

Abstract: Some embodiments include devices, systems and/or methods of generating a customized trade article. In one embodiment, a trade-article generator application is to receive trade information including a plurality of values of one or more trade-related parameters defining at least one trade with respect to at least one financial instrument, and to automatically generate a customized electronic trade article corresponding to the trade based on a predefined trade-article layout. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: According to some embodiments described in the disclosure, methods and systems are provided for offering a line of credit to a customer. In one example, information is generated about a customer arriving at a predetermined location of a sponsoring organization. An indication is obtained from a credit provider of a line of credit that has been established for the customer arriving at the predetermined location of the sponsoring organization, in which the customer has not solicited the line of credit. The sponsoring organization offers to the customer to activate the line of credit while the customer is at the predetermined location, and the line of credit is activated as part of a chargeable event at the predetermined location.

Abstract: Financial advisory methods and systems for creating a steady lifetime income stream within an investment plan is provided. According to one embodiment, based on an investor's current holdings in the investment plan, a pattern of periodic cash payouts is identified that can be made to the investor from an in-plan payout program implemented with the limited universe of financial products available within the investment plan. The assets of the investment plan are rebalanced to form a payout portfolio and an equity exposure portfolio. The payout portfolio is constructed to create an annuity-like stream of income to support the pattern of periodic cash payouts and includes multiple bond funds. The equity exposure portfolio is constructed to address inflation risk by providing an ability to rise with equities markets. Finally, a periodic cash payout of the pattern of periodic cash payouts is caused to be paid to the investor from the investment plan.

Abstract: A method and system for calculating a tail risk hedge index is disclosed where the tail risk hedge index is associated with a portfolio having an underlying asset and a volatility index option based on the underlying asset. The method includes, with a processor in a trading platform, calculating a tail risk hedge index (VXTH) associated with the portfolio having an underlying asset and a volatility index (VIX) option based on the underlying asset, and displaying the VXTH. The VXTH is calculated by compounding its value based on the equation: VXTHt=VXTHt-1*(1+RVXTH), where t is the close date and RVXTH is the daily net rate of return of the index. A trading platform for creating and disseminating the index, and for creating and trading a derivative based on the index, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for authenticating users while conducting an auction via a computer system. The system can automatically authenticate users who have previously registered with the auction system and who have enabled automatic authentication. When a user is registered, the system may store authentication information in a cookie on the user's computer. When the user decides to perform a transaction (e.g., list item auction or place a bid for an item) that requires authentication, the system retrieves the stored authentication information. If automatic authentication is enabled, then the system allows the transaction to proceed without manual authentication. If, however, automatic authentication is not enabled or the system does not recognize the stored authentication information, then the system requests manual authentication. The use of automatic authentication allows a user to enter information relating to a transaction without manually entering any identification information.

Abstract: Usage of shared resources can be managed by enabling users to obtain different types of guarantees at different times for various types and/or levels of resource capacity. A user can select to have an amount or rate of capacity dedicated to that user. A user can also select reserved capacity for at least a portion of the requests, tasks, or program execution for that user, where the user has priority to that capacity but other users can utilize the excess capacity during other periods. Users can alternatively specify to use the excess capacity or other variable, non-guaranteed capacity. The capacity can be for any appropriate functional aspect of a resource, such as computational capacity, throughput, latency, bandwidth, and storage. Users can submit bids for various types and combinations of excess capacity, and winning bids can receive dedicated use of the excess capacity for at least a period of time.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing the time it takes for a trader to place a trade when electronically trading commodities on an exchange, thus increasing the likelihood that the trader will have orders filled at desirable prices and quantities. Click based trading, as described herein and specifically the “Click” and “Dime” methods of the present invention, enables a trader to execute single mouse click trades for large volumes of commodities at a price within a pre-specified range.

Abstract: A system for valuation of pooled financial products contracts comprises receiving or extracting or generating data elements regarding financial products contracts, determining valuations of the financial products contracts data elements by calculation or comparison methods, creating a data report in a standard data format, storing the data report in the one or more data storage devices, receiving new data items relating to nonfinancial risk or financial risk affecting quality or risk of one or more of the financial products contracts, performing calculations with respect to the new data items to determine an updated valuation of the financial products contracts; and adding to or modifying the data report to create a risk updated data report incorporating updated financial products contracts valuation, and storing the updated data report in the one or more data storage devices.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing the time it takes for a trader to place a trade when electronically trading on an exchange, thus increasing the likelihood that the trader will have orders filled at desirable prices and quantities. The “Mercury” display and trading method of the present invention ensure fast and accurate execution of trades by displaying market depth on a vertical or horizontal plane, which fluctuates logically up or down, left or right across the plane as the market prices fluctuates. This allows the trader to trade quickly and efficiently.

Abstract: The present invention relates to analysis of trusts that have multiple beneficiaries whose interests mature in different time periods or under different conditions. In particular, we disclose automatic mapping of interests in one or more trusts, optionally subject to user confirmation, to long and short positions in financial or derivative interests that have expected payouts and costs that can be offset against underlying trust assets. The underlying assets and long and short positions in the mapped instruments can be attributed to various beneficiaries and subjected to various risk and investment analysis.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a method and system by which mortgage customers are linked to their existing mortgage servicer via an improved Internet process for achieving a mortgage modification, by their existing mortgage servicing institution rather than by a mortgage refinancing with loss of the customer to another servicing institution.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for calculating a reduced fee associated with combining previously securitized mortgage-backed securities to form a new and larger security called a Mega. The method includes identifying a group of Megas that correspond to at least one predetermined fee discount parameter. The group of Megas are members of a set of Megas and the set of Megas contain a number of Megas equal to or larger than a number of Megas in the group of Megas. The method includes calculating a fee for said group of Megas and repeating the steps of identifying a group and calculating a fee until a plurality of groups of Megas have been identified and corresponding Mega group fees have been calculated. The method also includes choosing from said plurality of groups of Megas a final set of Mega groups having a reduced total fee.

Abstract: Methods and systems of processing payments globally over one of a plurality of payment processing paths employ computer hardware and software for receiving a request to access a global payment utility, presenting a plurality of payment options by the global payment utility, and receiving information by the global payment utility consisting at least in part of a source of payment, a payment destination, and a user-designated payment vehicle. Upon receiving the information, one of a plurality of payment processing paths for the payment is selected according to a clearing rules aspect of a rules engine of the global payment utility, and the payment is routed for processing via the selected payment processing path.

Abstract: A fixed rate financing instrument issued by a corporation, government, or other organization which pays a fixed interest rate and/or dividend as secured by an issuing entity's promise to pay and partially guaranteed by a third party to issuance. An operation financing system for public-offering the fixed rate financing instrument on-line directly by the issuing entity or for public-offering the fixed rate financing instrument through a direct purchase plan by the issuing entity. A method for forming a new market includes preparing the fixed rate financing instrument, public-offering the fixed rate financing instrument, delivering to a potential purchaser the financial disclosure as required by law, requesting the potential purchaser to acknowledge receipt and review of the financial disclosure as required by law, and confirming acknowledgement of the financial disclosure from the potential purchaser; and processing a requested transaction by retrieving information via a network to a server.