Abstract: Methods and systems for optimizing a plurality of portfolios, each portfolio including one or more shares of one or more tradable assets, and may include the steps of: receiving asset data associated with the plurality of the portfolios; receiving one or more optimization constraints including at least one global constraint defining a constraint to be applied across an aggregate of the plurality of portfolios; for each portfolio, optimizing the asset data based on the one or more optimization constraints to create optimized portfolio data; aggregating the optimized portfolio data to create aggregate optimized asset data; determining if the aggregate optimized asset data satisfies the at least one global constraint; and only if the at least one global constraint is satisfied, outputting the optimized asset data.

Abstract: A factor risk model based method for generating risk forecasts. In one embodiment, the method includes: selecting a set of securities; selecting a set of risk factors; determining the risk factor returns; constructing a risk factor covariance matrix; constructing an idiosyncratic variance matrix; determining, for each risk factor, a factor loading coefficient for each selected security; projecting the risk factor covariance matrix into a future forecast; and projecting the idiosyncratic variance matrix into a future forecast. The factor loading coefficients, the future forecast of the risk factor covariance matrix, and the future forecast of the idiosyncratic variance matrix can be used to determine a forecast of the variance-covariance matrix for the selected securities. In some embodiments, the step of estimating factor loadings includes performing a time series regression to obtain the sensitivity of each stocks' return to variations in the factor's return.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting an abnormal trading condition of a security uses real-time and estimated values of one or more variables associated with the condition of the security to generate one or more analytic metrics that are compared to empirical distributions based on one or more peer groups for the security. An indicator can then be displayed to a trader as an indication of the abnormal condition.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for executing trades of financial securities according to a combination passive/aggressive trading strategy that reliably executes trades of lists of securities or blocks of a single security within a desired time frame while taking advantage of dynamic market movement to realize price improvement for the trade within the desired time frame. A passive trading agent executes trades at advantageous prices by floating portions of the order at the bid or ask to maximize exposure to the inside market and attract market orders. An aggressive agent opportunistically takes liquidity as it arises, setting discretionary prices in accordance with historical trading data of the specified security.

Abstract: A method and system for viewing and trading futures and other tradeable objects. The invention includes improved user interfaces for use with trading systems that allows users to more efficiently execute and manage trades. A dynamic price ladder allows a trader to see price gaps while remaining in a dynamic mode. The “sticky cells” feature prevents user errors which can occur when the display updates causing the cell under the mouse pointer to move up or down. Particular portions of the display can be color coded to provide a user with a easy way to determine market trends. A static working order screen allows a trader to visually see working orders from closest to furthest away from the market and can also allow for orders to be cancelled.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for executing trades of securities according to predefined trading strategies comprising a network having a plurality of servers. Each server is programmed with a specific trading strategy algorithm and receives trade orders and executes them according to the trading strategy algorithm programmed therein. The servers are connected to a plurality of clients over a communication network, and clients enter trade orders through the communication network to the server associated with the trading strategy the client desires to use to complete its trade order. The present invention also provides a method for executing a trade order for a security. The method comprises the steps of providing a server connected to a communication network with the server being programmed with a specific trading strategy algorithm. Trade orders received at the server over the network from clients are executed in the server according to the specific trading strategy algorithm.

Abstract: A method for creating a peer group database includes a step of collecting security transaction data for a preselected period of time, for a plurality of investment institutions. The transaction data includes identity of securities being traded, transaction order sizes, execution prices and execution times. The transaction data is grouped into a plurality of orders. A plurality of cost benchmarks are calculated for each of the orders. Transaction costs are estimated for each investment institution relative to the cost benchmarks. The data is stored.

Abstract: A method for determining fair value prices of financial securities of international markets includes the steps of selecting a universe of securities of a particular international market; computing overnight returns of each security in the selected universe over a predetermined past period of time; selecting at least one return factor of a domestic financial market from a plurality of return factors; computing, for each selected return factor, the return factor's daily return over said predetermined past period of time; calculating, for each selected return factor, a return factor coefficient for each security in the selected universe by performing a time series regression to obtain the contribution of each return factor's return to the security's overnight return; and storing each calculated return factor coefficient in a data file; wherein the stored return factor coefficients can be used in conjunction with current return factor daily return values to predict current overnight returns for all securities in

Abstract: A method and system for performing a batch auction whereby a series of orders, according to a variety of predetermined order types, are generated by qualified market participants and communicated to an auction system. The auction system takes into account each order and its impact upon relative supply and demand to determine by a preset algorithm a price and share transaction quantity. Trades are executed at the price, and a portion of the transaction quantity is allocated to each investor on a fair basis dependent upon their initial orders. In embodiments of the present invention, the auction system uses a computer system or network designed to automatically perform one or more steps of the above method. Such a system is preferably connected to one or more ECNs such that non-executed shares can be automatically sent to outside sources for execution.

Abstract: A system for post-trade estimation of transaction costs. The system may include transaction cost estimation facilities configured to receive order data relating to a plurality of trade orders, receive execution data relating to a plurality of trades corresponding to the plurality of trade orders, to calculate post trade estimated transaction costs for each of the plurality of trade orders based upon a pre-trade cost estimation model, the execution data, and actual market conditions at an execution time of the plurality of trades, and to store the post trade estimated transaction costs. The system may also include data storage facilities coupled with the transaction cost estimation facilities and configured to store at least the post trade estimated transaction costs in an accessible format.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, this invention includes software processes distributed on one or more computer systems that exchange messages in order to facilitate an intermediated exchange of financial commodities between a plurality of participants. The messages are exchanged according to a preferred protocol that leads to a satisfactory exchange that meets the objectives of the participants, and that substantially maximizes in a fair manner the total amount of financial commodities exchanged. Optionally, the invention employs heuristic rules in association with the preferred protocol that adapt the protocol to the time and exchange requirements of financial commodities. In other embodiments, this invention is equally applicable to the exchange of any tangible or intangible commodities. In a general embodiment, this invention further includes a preferred message-exchange protocol for the construction of computer programs representing exchange participants and an intermediary.

Abstract: Methods and systems for optimizing a plurality of portfolios, each portfolio including one or more shares of one or more tradable assets, and may include the steps of: receiving asset data associated with the plurality of the portfolios; receiving one or more optimization constraints including at least one global constraint defining a constraint to be applied across an aggregate of the plurality of portfolios; for each portfolio, optimizing the asset data based on the one or more optimization constraints to create optimized portfolio data; aggregating the optimized portfolio data to create aggregate optimized asset data; determining if the aggregate optimized asset data satisfies the at least one global constraint; and only if the at least one global constraint is satisfied, outputting the optimized asset data.

Abstract: A system and method for rebalancing separately managed accounts utilizing sub-models. Sub-models can be generated automatically by analyzing the restrictions that exist on the individual accounts, or created manually by identifying particular stocks that might fall within a particular industry, sector or other arbitrary classification. An account can be classified as belonging to one or more sub-models. These sub-models allow for a more efficient rebalancing process by allowing transaction decisions to be made according to a particular sub-model rather than at the level of each individual account. These sub-models also allow for more efficient monitoring of large numbers of accounts by allowing analysis of account drift according to both restrictions associated with the account as well as the account's master model portfolio, rather than solely relative to the account's master model portfolio without incorporating the account's restrictions.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting an abnormal trading condition of a security uses real-time and estimated values of one or more variables associated with the condition of the security to generate one or more analytic metrics that are compared to empirical distributions based on one or more peer groups for the security. An indicator can then be displayed to a trader as an indication of the abnormal condition.

Abstract: A method and system for determining an optimal price at which to perform a batch auction of financial assets. Orders, according to a variety of predetermined order types, are received from qualified market participants and communicated to an auction system according to the invention. The auction system takes into account each order and its impact upon relative supply and demand to determine by a preset algorithm an optimal price and share transaction quantity. The optimal price is selected by identifying a particular price at which trade volume would be maximized and which reflects the appropriate effect of supply and demand imbalances. Trades are executed at the optimal price, and portions of the transaction quantity are allocated to each investor on a fair basis dependent upon their submitted orders. In another aspect, the auction system includes a computer system and network designed to automatically perform one or more steps of the above method.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, this invention includes software processes distributed on one or more computer systems that exchange messages in order to facilitate an intermediated exchange of financial commodities between a plurality of participants. The messages are exchanged according to a preferred protocol that leads to a satisfactory exchange that meets the objectives of the participants, and that substantially maximizes in a fair manner the total amount of financial commodities exchanged. Optionally, the invention employs heuristic rules in association with the preferred protocol that adapt the protocol to the time and exchange requirements of financial commodities. In other embodiments, this invention is equally applicable to the exchange of any tangible or intangible commodities. In a general embodiment, this invention further includes a preferred message-exchange protocol for the construction of computer programs representing exchange participants and an intermediary.