Abstract: A structured investment product provides a return that substantially tracks returns from at least two different financial instruments. To establish the structured investment product a forward starting option on a first financial variable is acquired at a first time. A financial instrument is also acquired. Purchase orders for shares of the structured investment and investment capital are received. At a second time, options on the first financial variable are acquired. Certain predefined terms of the forward starting option and certain predefined terms of the option are the same. More of the financial instrument is acquired.

Abstract: In certain aspects, the invention features a system and method for (1) receiving reservations for a first subset of computing resources of a distributed computing system (DCS), wherein each of the reservations specifies a time period, (2) allocating the first subset according to the reservations, (3) receiving requests for use of at least a second subset of the DCS's computing resources, wherein each of the requests specifies a time period, (4) determining whether enough unallocated resources are available to fulfill all of the requests, wherein the unallocated resources include the DCS's resources not allocated according to the reservations, (5) allocating resources according to the requests, if there are enough unallocated resources available, and (6) allocating resources in accordance with an allocation criteria if there are not enough unallocated resources available.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention features a system including a local computing device in communication with a distributed computing system, the local computing device configured to perform computations for a first portion of a computer software application and to send a second portion of the application for computation on the distributed computing system.

Abstract: Using observable market factors which reflect a current share price, a given share price, volatility in given share price, expected debt recovery fraction, and percentage standard deviation in the expected debt recovery fraction, the instant invention provides probability estimates for no default by a company within a given future time horizon. The invention has applications in the field of bond and company rating and calculation of credit spreads. The invention also provides a relationship between credit spreads, equity prices and volatility, useful as a price discovery tool in determining fair market price of the credit risk, on a name basis for credits that have public equity.