Abstract: A financial product and method for creating a financial product is provided wherein an investor receives a return based on the future sales or revenues of an issuer in perpetuity.

Abstract: A method of rating a research provider includes determining, for each of a plurality of research providers that provide equity research within a securities sector, one or more research coverage quantifiers. At least one of the research coverage quantifiers is indicative, at least in part, of the specialization of the research provider within the securities sector. Each of the plurality of research providers is ranked based, at least in part, upon at least one of the research coverage quantifiers.

Abstract: A method of rating a third-party includes, in response to a third-party participating in a transaction concerning a company, monitoring the level of research coverage initiated by the third party concerning the company. A score is assigned to the third-party based, at least in part, upon the level of research coverage initiated by the third-party concerning the company.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and server computer for monitoring at least one paid-for opinion issued by an analyst to determine a paid-for qualitative statistic for the analyst. The paid-for qualitative statistic is indicative of the quality of at least a portion of the at least one paid-for opinion issued by the analyst. At least one unpaid opinion issued by the analyst is monitored to determine an unpaid qualitative statistic for the analyst. The unpaid qualitative statistic is indicative of the quality of at least a portion of the at least one unpaid opinion issued by the analyst. The paid-for qualitative statistic is compared to the unpaid qualitative statistic.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and server computer for monitoring one or more commissions generated during a offering of a security. A research portion of the one or more commissions generated is designated for funding paid-for research for the security.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and server computer for maintaining an information resource that defines a pool of qualified analysts. Each member of the pool of qualified analysts is capable of providing paid-for research concerning a specific company. A user is allowed to contract with a third-party facilitator to have a research project produced concerning the specific company. The third-party facilitator is allowed to select, from the members of the pool of qualified analysts, one or more selected analysts to produce the research project concerning the specific company.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and server computer for allowing a user to select a qualified analyst from an information resource that defines one or more qualified analysts, thus defining a selected analyst. The user is bound by a user code of conduct. The selected analyst is bound by an analyst code of conduct and is capable of providing paid-for research within a specific business sector. A dispute resolution process is executed if an accusing party believes that either of the user code of conduct or the analyst code of conduct has been violated by an accused party.

Abstract: A data structure includes two or more data records, each of which includes a first data field and a second data field. The first data field defines an analyst that is available to provide paid-for research within a specific business sector, and the second data field defines one or more experience descriptors indicative of the areas of expertise of the analyst.

Abstract: A data structure includes two or more data records, each of which includes a first data field. The first data field defines an analyst that is available to provide paid-for research within a specific business sector, such that the analyst is bound by an analyst code of conduct.

Abstract: A method of providing paid-for research includes allowing at least one selected analyst to contract with a third-party facilitator to provide research within a specific business sector. A user is allowed to contract with the third-party facilitator to have research produced by the at least one selected analyst concerning the specific business sector. The at least one selected analyst is bound by an analyst code of conduct and the user is bound by a user code of conduct.

Abstract: A method of providing paid-for research includes: maintaining an information resource that defines one or more qualified analysts, such that each qualified analyst is bound by an analyst code of conduct and is capable of providing paid-for research within a specific business sector. A user is allowed to search the information resource to aid in selecting at least one qualified analyst.

Abstract: A method of providing paid-for research includes maintaining an information resource that defines one or more qualified analysts, such that each analyst is capable of providing paid-for research concerning a specific company. The generation of research concerning the specific company is facilitated from at least one selected analyst. The at least one selected analyst is selected from the one or more qualified analysts. The at least one selected analyst is prohibited from performing commercial services concerning the specific company.

Abstract: A data structure includes two or more data records, each of which includes a first data field and a second data field. The first data field defines an analyst that is available to provide research concerning one or more securities, and the second data field defines a performance statistic for the analyst concerning at least a portion of the research provided.

Abstract: A data structure includes two or more data records, each of which includes a first data field and a second data field. The first data field defines an analyst that is available to provide research concerning one or more securities, and the second data field defines a market capitalization breakdown for the analyst.

Abstract: An analyst search engine system includes a query generation module for allowing a user to define a query containing one or more search terms. A query execution module executes the query with respect to a data structure. A result generation module generates a result set of data records. Each data record included in the result set of data records at least partially satisfies the search terms of the query. The data structure includes two or more data records, each of which includes a first data field that defines a pre-qualified analyst that is available to provide paid-for research within a specific business sector.