Abstract: An electronic trading system is described herein. More specifically, the electronic trading system may relate to the substantially simultaneous trading of cash instruments and their related futures contract for interest-rate related instruments. The electronic trading system may also be used to allow a user (such as a market maker or other suitable participant) to gauge his chance of success at completing both sides of a basis trade within a preferably pre-determined or pre-set interval, while knowing in advance the specific weighting algorithm that will be applied to the basis trade. The electronic trading system may also be used to allow a user to predetermine the exact weighting algorithm to be used on such a basis trade, and to adjust those preferences where necessary or desired.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of managing trading is provided. In a market for a particular type of instrument, electronic data including buy orders and sell orders are received from a plurality of traders. Each buy order has an associated bid price and each sell order has an associated offer price. A determination is made of whether the particular trading order is an outlying trading order by electronically determining whether the particular trading order differs from at least one comparison price by more than a threshold value. If it is determined that the particular trading is an outlying trading order, a restrictive action is taken regarding one or more trading orders. For example, if a trader subsequently submits another trading order that would trade with the outlying trading order, an electronic alert message may be sent to the trader and the subsequent trading order may be prevented from trading with the outlying trading order at least temporarily.

Abstract: Various embodiments of exchanges are described. Methods and other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of managing trading is provided. A first offer for a particular instrument in a particular market is received from a first market maker at a first offer price. A first bid for the same particular instrument in the same particular market is received from a second market maker at a first bid price, the first bid price being higher than or equal to the first offer price. As a result of the first bid price being higher than or equal to the first offer price, the first offer price is automatically increased to a price higher than the first bid price such that a trade is not executed between the first offer and the first bid. In some embodiments, such method may be used to protect market makers from unwanted trades caused by inherent latency in the market makers' pricing engines and/or networks.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for automatically executing a trade of an item between a market participant who issues a request for a quote for an item and a market participant who responds to the request are provided. In some embodiments, an automatic trade may be conditioned upon the acknowledgement, by the participant who issues the request, of an obligation to execute the trade. In some embodiments, the invention may include one or more modules for receiving the request, receiving a quote, receiving a responsive number of units of the item to be traded, decrementing a time interval in which the participant who issues the request is required to trade, and, if that participant does not trade within the time interval, trading on behalf of that participant.

Abstract: Various embodiments of exchanges are described. Methods and other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of managing trading is provided. A first offer for a particular instrument in a particular market is received from a first market maker at a first offer price. A first bid for the same particular instrument in the same particular market is received from a second market maker at a first bid price, the first bid price being higher than or equal to the first offer price. As a result of the first bid price being higher than or equal to the first offer price, the first offer price is automatically increased to a price higher than the first bid price such that a trade is not executed between the first offer and the first bid. In some embodiments, such method may be used to protect market makers from unwanted trades caused by inherent latency in the market makers' pricing engines and/or networks.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a trading interface with advanced features are provided. Along with providing the benchmark issue and non-benchmark issues, the trading application may also provide the trader with the ability to obtain trading information (e.g., another quad) for each of the related U.S. Treasury swaps (“T-swaps”), off-the-runs, yield curve T-swaps, and basis. In some embodiments, the trader may be provided with a customized keyboard to navigate through the trading interface. The keyboard preferably includes keys that allow the trader to quickly and efficiently switch between multiple issues in a quad. Using the keyboard, the trader may also be provided with price improvement functionality and direct dealing functionality. In some embodiments, the trading application may simultaneously display a DD ticker along with the trading quadrant that provides the trader with the progression of the direct dealings of the selected issue.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for automatically executing a trade of an item between a market participant who issues a request for a quote for an item and a market participant who responds to the request are provided. In some embodiments, an automatic trade may be conditioned upon the acknowledgement, by the participant who issues the request, of an obligation to execute the trade. In some embodiments, the invention may include one or more modules for receiving the request, receiving a quote, receiving a responsive number of units of the item to be traded, decrementing a time interval in which the participant who issues the request is required to trade, and, if that participant does not trade within the time interval, trading on behalf of that participant.

Abstract: An electronic trading system is described herein. More specifically, the electronic trading system may relate to the substantially simultaneous trading of cash instruments and their related futures contracts for interest-rate related instruments. The electronic trading system may also be used to allow a user (such as a market maker or other suitable participant) to gauge his chance of success at completing both sides of a basis trade within a preferably pre-determined or pre-set interval, while knowing in advance the specific weighting algorithm that will be applied to the basis trade. The electronic trading system may also be used to allow a user to predetermine the exact weighting algorithm to be used on such a basis trade, and to adjust those preferences where necessary or desired.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for providing customized keyboards for receiving user inputs, and view regions for displaying information for users in useful arrangements. Such keyboards include keys that are pre-programmed to reflect the issues present in each trading pane of the view regions. Using such keys, a user may direct the trading application to quickly and efficiently switch between multiple issues, and place, manipulate or cancel orders on them. The keyboard may also be designed such that multiple keys may be disabled, replaced or mapped to perform different functions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a trading interface with advanced features are provided. Along with providing the benchmark issue and non-benchmark issues, the trading application may also provide the trader with the ability to obtain trading information (e.g., another quad) for each of the related U.S. Treasury swaps (“T-swaps”), off-the-runs, yield curve T-swaps, and basis. In some embodiments, the trader may be provided with a customized keyboard to navigate through the trading interface. The keyboard preferably includes keys that allow the trader to quickly and efficiently switch between multiple issues in a quad. Using the keyboard, the trader may also be provided with price improvement functionality and direct dealing functionality. In some embodiments, the trading application may simultaneously display a DD ticker along with the trading quadrant that provides the trader with the progression of the direct dealings of the selected issue.

Abstract: An electronic trading system including various rules is described herein. Many of the rules relate to implementing periods of exclusive priority in trading. For example, in one of the rules, an exclusive period of trading may be controlled by an aggressor and a designated passive participant. The aggressor may have exclusive rights on his side of the trade at a particular price point for a particular time. The aggressor may elect to change the price point at which he controls the trade to a new price point which is more favorable to him. Thereafter, another participant may assume the exclusivity of the trade by entering the trade on the same side of the aggressor at the old price point. In so doing, the other participant also preferably truncates the aggressor's exclusivity at the new price point.

Abstract: A user interface for use with an electronic trading system includes a display that shows a bid price axis and an ask price axis, as well as corresponding sizes, and a visual indicator of the inside market. When the inside market changes in response to changing market conditions, the display of the inside market clearly shows a spatial movement of the inside market as well as the representative price(s) associated therewith, thereby rendering the two price axis dynamic axis. The user interface is easy to use, intuitive as well as customizable, and contains features that facilitate efficient electronic trading and shows trading activity pertaining to the user as well as the market in general.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for providing customized keyboards for receiving user inputs, and view regions for displaying information for users in useful arrangements. Such keyboards include keys that are pre-programmed to reflect the issues present in each trading pane of the view regions. Using such keys, a user may direct the trading application to quickly and efficiently switch between multiple issues, and place, manipulate or cancel orders on them. The keyboard may also be designed such that multiple keys may be disabled, replaced or mapped to perform different functions.

Abstract: A computer trading system has price improvement features.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing trading exclusivity/priority in response to quantity of items traded in electronic trading systems is provided. The method preferably includes receiving an incoming order for the item and determining whether the incoming order matches a current order for the item and satisfies a minimum volume requirement. When the incoming order matches a current order for the item and satisfies a minimum volume requirement, the method includes transacting a trade between the incoming order and the current order and providing a predetermined time period of exclusive trading between a participant associated with the incoming order and a participant associated with the current order.

Abstract: An electronic trading system including various rules is described herein. Many of the rules relate to implementing periods of exclusive priority in trading. For example, in one of the rules, an exclusive period of trading may be controlled by an aggressor and a designated passive participant. The aggressor may have exclusive rights on his side of the trade at a particular price point for a particular time. The aggressor may elect to change the price point at which he controls the trade to a new price point which is more favorable to him. Thereafter, another participant may assume the exclusivity of the trade by entering the trade on the same side of the aggressor at the old price point. In so doing, the other participant also preferably truncates the aggressor's exclusivity at the new price point.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of managing trading is provided. In a market for a particular type of instrument, electronic data including buy orders and sell orders are received from a plurality of traders. Each buy order has an associated bid price and each sell order has an associated offer price. A determination is made of whether the particular trading order is an outlying trading order by electronically determining whether the particular trading order differs from at least one comparison price by more than a threshold value. If it is determined that the particular trading is an outlying trading order, a restrictive action is taken regarding one or more trading orders. For example, if a trader subsequently submits another trading order that would trade with the outlying trading order, an electronic alert message may he sent to the trader and the subsequent trading order may be prevented from trading with the outlying trading order at least temporarily.

Abstract: A computer trading system has price improvement features.