Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for maintaining neutrality while trading a list of securities using an algorithmic trading facility coupled with at least one destination. This destination includes at least one alternative trading system (ATS). This facility is coupled, via an electronic data network, to a plurality of trading clients, and configured to receive a trade request to trade a list of securities from a trading client. This request includes user defined trading constraints that are used to generate and transmit trade orders to at least one ATS. The orders are transmitted based on trading data related to the destinations, the trade list, and the trading constraints. The facility can identify each executed trade corresponding to the trade orders and calculate a trade imbalance. The facility can determine whether the trade imbalance exceeds the trading constraints, and reallocate one or more of said submitted orders based on this determination.

Abstract: Methods and systems for facilitating trading of securities, preferred methods comprising receiving a first buy or sell order from a first user; calculating a block price range; determining that said first order is reasonably priced; transmitting to a second user a notification that a reasonably priced order is present, but without notifying said second user of the side; receiving a second order from said second user, wherein said second order is a contra to said first order and nearly matches but does not cross said first order; transmitting a contra order notification to said second user after said second order is received, said contra order notification indicating that a nearly matching contra order is active; receiving a third order from said second user, said third order being a contra to said first order and crossing said first order, and executing a trade comprising said first order and said third order.

Abstract: A method and system for forecasting the transaction cost of a portfolio trade execution that may be applied to any given trade strategy or an optimal trade strategy that minimizes transaction costs. In preferred embodiments, a server comprises one or more computers that act as an automated forecaster whereby it accepts user-defined input variables from customers and generates a transaction cost estimation report based on those variables. The server is programmed with specific transaction cost estimation and optimization algorithms that model the transaction costs of a specific trade execution based on the user's trading profile and market variables.

Abstract: One exemplary aspect comprises a computer-implemented method comprising: (a) electronically receiving, from a first securities market participant, data including information related to a first order and to one or more group rankings for dissemination; (b) electronically determining with one or more processors, based on data regarding a second securities market participant and the order information and group rankings, whether the second securities market participant has a second order, on the contra side of the first order, and whether, in accordance with the group rankings, the second securities market participant is qualified to receive information about the first order; and, (c) after, and only if, the second participant is determined to be qualified, transmitting information sufficient to display to the second securities market participant the information about the first order.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for outputting data that represents the change in value of an options premium that would have resulted if the options traded in a direct linear volume relationship with its underlying security is provided. Input values utilized include a delta value, a gamma value, a value-weighted average price of an underlying stock, a reference price of the underlying stock, and an original order premium value.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for managing short-term risk to a portfolio of securities holdings while executing an outstanding trade list. The methods and systems may include steps of determining covariances between securities in the outstanding trade list and securities in the portfolio of holdings; receiving a risk variable, at least one constraint on the execution of a trade, and a proposed quantity representing a portion of said outstanding trade list desired to be executed at a particular time; and determining an immediately executable trade list based at least in part on the covariances and risk variable. The executable trade list must satisfy all of the trade constraints and also must be substantially equal to or less then the proposed quantity.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for maintaining neutrality while trading a list of securities using an algorithmic trading facility coupled with at least one destination. This destination includes at least one alternative trading system (ATS). This facility is coupled, via an electronic data network, to a plurality of trading clients, and configured to receive a trade request to trade a list of securities from a trading client. This request includes user defined trading constraints that are used to generate and transmit trade orders to at least one ATS. The orders are transmitted based on trading data related to the destinations, the trade list, and the trading constraints. The facility can identify each executed trade corresponding to the trade orders and calculate a trade imbalance. The facility can determine whether the trade imbalance exceeds the trading constraints, and reallocate one or more of said submitted orders based on this determination.

Abstract: Methods and systems for facilitating trading of securities, preferred methods comprising receiving a first buy or sell order from a first user; calculating a block price range; determining that said first order is reasonably priced; transmitting to a second user a notification that a reasonably priced order is present, but without notifying said second user of the side; receiving a second order from said second user, wherein said second order is a contra to said first order and nearly matches but does not cross said first order; transmitting a contra order notification to said second user after said second order is received, said contra order notification indicating that a nearly matching contra order is active; receiving a third order from said second user, said third order being a contra to said first order and crossing said first order; and executing a trade comprising said first order and said third order.

Abstract: One exemplary aspect comprises a computer-implemented method comprising: (a) electronically receiving, from a first securities market participant, data including information related to a first order and to one or more group rankings for dissemination; (b) electronically determining with one or more processors, based on data regarding a second securities market participant and the order information and group rankings, whether the second securities market participant has a second order, on the contra side of the first order, and whether, in accordance with the group rankings, the second securities market participant is qualified to receive information about the first order; and, (c) after, and only if, the second participant is determined to be qualified, transmitting information sufficient to display to the second securities market participant the information about the first order.

Abstract: A post-trade aggregation system includes an allocation middleware interface, which interacts with data interface to allocate and settle trades. An order management system receives a trade order on behalf of a customer and causes apportionment of the trade into a plurality of smaller orders to be transmitted to a plurality of order destinations directly (e.g. via the FIX protocol). The post-trade aggregation system includes an allocation middleware interface which receives the individual trade executions from the plurality of order destination and compresses them into a single average-priced block. The allocation middleware interface then transmits the single average-priced block to be cleared by a designated clearing agent and allocates the single average-priced block into one or more custodian accounts.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and system for determining fair-value prices of a futures contract of index i having foreign constituent securities includes using a computer to receive electronic data for the index i. A computer can be used to calculate alpha (?) and beta (?) coefficients using a regression analysis. The alpha (?) coefficient represents a risk-adjusted measure of return on the index i, and the beta (?) coefficient represents a metric that is related to a correlation between an overnight return of the index i and a proxy market. A computer can receive a settlement price (SETTi) for a futures contract for index i, and calculate a fair-value adjusted price for the futures contract of index i based at least in part on the alpha (?) and beta (?) coefficients, the futures contract settlement price (SETTi) for index i, and at least one return of a predetermined factor (Zi) during a stale period.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for forecasting the transaction costs of a trade using empirical data and user-defined modeling constraints based on real-time data regarding changes in market conditions. In preferred embodiments, the invention acts as a forecaster whereby it accepts inputs from customers and identifies real-time market analytics, and provides dynamically adjusted ex ante cost estimates and metrics for the prevailing market conditions. Specific cost estimation and optimization algorithms can be provided to model transaction costs of a specific trade based on empirical data and real-time variables.

Abstract: A method and system for optimizing allocation of large block orders for a security for maximum fill rate and minimum information leakage. The invention includes a process by which a block order for a security is allocated to a number of suborders which are then submitted to various electronic trading destinations to be filled. This allocation process involves ranking the suborders on the basis of a quality measurement, calculating and assigned a liquidity expectation to each suborder, determining a maximum target execution rate for the security that will not result in market impact, assigning orders to a trade list beginning with the higher rank suborder until the sum of shares represented in the list is equal to the maximum target execution rate, allocating the suborders not assigned to the trade list, and submitting the suborders to the corresponding electronic trading destination.

Abstract: A post-trade aggregation system includes an allocation middleware interface, which interacts with data interface to allocate and settle trades. An order management system receives a trade order on behalf of a customer and causes apportionment of the trade into a plurality of smaller orders to be transmitted to a plurality of order destinations directly (e.g. via the FIX protocol). The post-trade aggregation system includes an allocation middleware interface which receives the individual trade executions from the plurality of order destination and compresses them into a single average-priced block. The allocation middleware interface then transmits the single average-priced block to be cleared by a designated clearing agent and allocates the single average-priced block into one or more custodian accounts.

Abstract: Systems and methods of changing electronic trade order properties are provided. A GUI display is provided that displays features regarding placed electronic trade orders. The GUI may include further features for quickly and easily changing features. For example, a first button maybe provided that lists current properties of a selected electronic trade order and is not available for user interaction. A second button may be provided that lists an available change to the current properties of the selected electronic trade order and is available for user interaction. If the second button is activated, one or more electronic cancel and replace orders are executed to create a new order having properties of the selected electronic trade order and at least one changed property that is listed by the second button. The GUI is then updated to reflect the new orders.

Abstract: A post-trade aggregation system for financial instrument trading systems, wherein a trader manages a plurality of trade orders to be executed by one or more executing brokers on behalf of customers via a data interface system. The plurality of trade orders includes at least one wrap block order and at least one institutional block order. The plurality of trade orders are merged into a single merged block order, apportioned into a plurality of smaller electronic trade orders, and transmitted to a plurality of order destinations. One or more computer systems are in electronic communication with the data interface system and with a clearing system, and configured to compress individual executions from the plurality of order destinations corresponding to the plurality of smaller electronic trade orders into a single net marked-up step-out for wrap orders and a single average-priced block for institutional orders.

Abstract: Systems and methods of changing electronic trade order properties are provided. A GUI display is provided that displays features regarding placed electronic trade orders. The GUI may include further features for quickly and easily changing features. For example, a first button maybe provided that lists current properties of a selected electronic trade order and is not available for user interaction. A second button may be provided that lists an available change to the current properties of the selected electronic trade order and is available for user interaction. If the second button is activated, one or more electronic cancel and replace orders are executed to create a new order having properties of the selected electronic trade order and at least one changed property that is listed by the second button. The GUI is then updated to reflect the new orders.

Abstract: A post-trade aggregation system for financial instrument trading systems, wherein a trader manages a plurality of trade orders to be executed by one or more executing brokers on behalf of customers via a data interface system. The plurality of trade orders includes at least one wrap block order and at least one institutional block order. The plurality of trade orders are merged into a single merged block order, apportioned into a plurality of smaller electronic trade orders, and transmitted to a plurality of order destinations. One or more computer systems are in electronic communication with the data interface system and with a clearing system, and configured to compress individual executions from the plurality of order destinations corresponding to the plurality of smaller electronic trade orders into a single net marked-up step-out for wrap orders and a single average-priced block for institutional orders.

Abstract: A method and computer program product for minimizing short-term risk to a portfolio of securities holdings during implementation of executing an outstanding trade list of securities to be traded, takes into account covariances between securities in the outstanding trade list and between securities in the outstanding trade list and securities in the portfolio of holdings so as to minimize risk to the portfolio of holdings as well as to a residual trade list of unexecuted orders during said implementation.

Abstract: A network communication system and method are provided. The system and method communicate in a electronic trading environment and receive and send signals representing trading information in order to determine trading cost for trading pairs of currencies. In an embodiment, the system may request electronic price quotes from the set of electronic trading venues and may receive the electronic price quotes over a network. The system and method generates a cost curves that relates trading cost to order size for a plurality of order sizes. The system and method may determine trading costs for an electronic trade order based on the cost curves.