Abstract: In the financial-services industry, there are online centers that help brokers to match sellers and buyers of stock based on indications of interest (IOIs). However, at least some of these centers are not only limited in the types of IOIs that they provide, but also in the ways how they allow IOI senders to control IOI usage. Accordingly, to facilitate trades, one exemplary system provides an IOI which is associated with an online negotiation capability. Some versions of this system provide mechanisms for users, such as broker-dealers, to define different IOI response privileges for recipients of their IOIs. To reduce the market risks of failed negotiations, some versions provide automated features for comparing confidential information from traders and initiating online negotiations for stock transactions contingent on favorable comparisons.

Abstract: In the financial-services industry, there are online centers that help brokers to match sellers and buyers of stock based on indications of interest (IOIs). However, at least some of these centers are not only limited in the types of IOIs that they provide, but also in the ways how they allow IOI senders to control IOI usage. Accordingly, the present inventors devised, among other things, exemplary systems, methods, interfaces, and software that enhance the ability of such online centers, or financial-information systems, to facilitate trades. One exemplary system provides an IOI which is associated with an online negotiation capability. Some embodiments provide mechanisms for users, such as broker-dealers, to define different IOI response privileges for recipients of their IOIs.

Abstract: Using a feed backbone computer network, enables connection of counterparty customers in disparate Financial Information Exchange (FIX) networks, across IP network boundaries. The feed backbone network links consumer, database, management, and proxy computer systems with a FIX backbone computer network in turn connected to trading extranets via access centers. Proxy computer systems balance their shared message processing load, log message traffic, manage operational sessions, and collect and present aggregated feed information to client users, whether connected locally or to the trading extranets. A software proxy acts as a “middleman” between the two customer endpoints. Copies selected FIX messages to a multicast backbone for aggregation in a standard format. The entire network is centrally configurable and supports realtime operational status.

Abstract: In the financial-services industry, there are online centers that help brokers to match sellers and buyers of stock based on indications of interest (IOIs). However, at least some of these centers are not only limited in the types of IOIs that they provide, but also in the ways how they allow IOI senders to control IOI usage. Accordingly, to facilitate trades, one exemplary system provides an IOI which is associated with an online negotiation capability. Some versions of this system provide mechanisms for users, such as broker-dealers, to define different IOI response privileges for recipients of their IOIs. To reduce the market risks of failed negotiations, some versions provide automated features for comparing confidential information from traders and initiating online negotiations for stock transactions contingent on favorable comparisons.