Abstract: A system comprises a memory operable to store a compound index that is based at least in part on a plurality of component indices. The plurality of component indices comprise an international developed markets equity index, a U.S. large-cap equity index, and a U.S. small-cap equity index. The compound index is further based at least in part on a plurality of weights, wherein each weight is associated with a respective one of the plurality of component indices. The system further comprises a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and operable to update the plurality of weights according to a regression analysis. The regression analysis is based at least in part on a respective set of returns associated with each of the plurality of component indices and with a hedge fund index. The plurality of weights are updated such that the compound index emulates the hedge fund index.

Abstract: A system comprises a memory operable to store a master index that is based at least in part on a separately managed account (SMA) index, a market index, a first weight associated with the SMA index, and a second weight associated with the market index. The system further comprises a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and operable to update the first weight based at least in part on the market index. The processor is further operable to update the second weight based at least in part on the SMA index. The processor is further operable to update the master index based at least in part on the SMA index, the market index, the updated first weight, and the updated second weight. The processor is further operable to store the updated master index in a memory.

Abstract: A system comprises a memory operable to store a compound index that is based at least in part on a plurality of component indices. The plurality of component indices comprise an international developed markets equity index, a U.S. large-cap equity index, and a U.S. small-cap equity index. The compound index is further based at least in part on a plurality of weights, wherein each weight is associated with a respective one of the plurality of component indices. The system further comprises a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and operable to update the plurality of weights according to a regression analysis. The regression analysis is based at least in part on a respective set of returns associated with each of the plurality of component indices and with a hedge fund index. The plurality of weights are updated such that the compound index emulates the hedge fund index.

Abstract: A system comprises a memory operable to store market data. The system further comprises a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and operable to buy a plurality of index futures. The plurality of index futures are held as long positions in a trust, and a particular index future is publicly traded on a commodity exchange. The processor is further operable to issue a plurality of trust receipts associated with the trust, wherein the plurality of trust receipts are publicly traded on at least one security exchange. The processor is further operable to post a margin with a futures commission merchant (FCM), wherein the margin is based at least in part on the plurality of index futures and the FCM makes at least one interest payment associated with the plurality of index futures.

Abstract: Analyzing educational saving plans by considering the tax implications of these plans is provided by storing a plurality of educational institution identifiers and a plurality of educational savings plan parameter sets. Each of the educational institution identifiers is associated with a corresponding set of cost parameters specifying room, board, and tuition costs for the respective educational institution. Each of the educational savings plan parameter sets specifies a characteristic of a corresponding educational savings plan. A comparative analysis of educational savings plans is generated by applying a retrieved set of cost parameters for each educational plan parameter sets. This comparative analysis takes into consideration tax implications of an educational savings plan. The results of the comparative analysis are outputted on a display and/or printout so that an investor can determine which of the plurality of educational savings plans best meets their needs.

Abstract: A computer-executable method for financial retirement planning that provides a comparative evaluation of a plurality of health care funding alternatives. The comparative evaluation enables individuals to select one or more funding alternatives appropriate to their particular set of circumstances. The method commences by calculating overall cash flow for an individual, a couple, and/or a family during retirement. Based upon this cash flow, an amount representing an affordable heath care insurance premium is determined. Next, a comparison of projected retirement finances is provided. This comparison provides (a) financial projections assuming that long-term health care will not be required, (b) financial projections if long-term health care is required, but the individual is not covered by insurance, and (c) financial projections if long-term health care is required, and the individual is covered by insurance.

Abstract: Analyzing educational saving plans by considering the tax implications of these plans is provided by storing a plurality of educational institution identifiers and a plurality of educational savings plan parameter sets. Each of the educational institution identifiers is associated with a corresponding set of cost parameters specifying room, board, and tuition costs for the respective educational institution. Each of the educational savings plan parameter sets specifies a characteristics of a corresponding educational savings plan. A comparative analysis of educational savings plans is generated by applying a retrieved set of cost parameters for each educational plan parameter set. This comparative analysis takes into consideration tax implications of an educational savings plan. The results of the comparative analysis are outputted on a display and/or printout so that an investor can determine which of the plurality of educational savings plans best meets their needs.

Abstract: The disclosure details the implementation of apparatuses, methods, and systems for asset index tracking. The disclosure details how an asset index tracker aligns investor asset portfolios to a selected asset index. The asset index tracker enables investors to automatically match their portfolio to a predefined index. The asset index tracker compares the investor's portfolio to the selected index and provides recommendations to rebalance the portfolio at specified intervals. This is achieved by comparing the investor's portfolio to the index to determine the trades necessary to align the portfolio to the index. A correlation and estimated tracking error of the portfolio to the index may be calculated to validate how the portfolio matches the index. The resulting trade recommendations may be executed upon the investor's approval or automatically. The execution of the trades achieves the rebalancing of the investor's portfolio to more closely track a selected target index.

Abstract: A novel vehicle investment that greatly simplifies ownership and implementation of futures so that the pricing, trading, and risk management characteristics of futures investment are more broadly accessible by investors. Trading and account processing is implemented on a data processing platform that facilitates expanded access and use of risk management via futures contracts.

Abstract: A first trust sells a credit derivative to a second trust, and in this way provides for funding of the second trust and thus provides bankruptcy protection to the second trust. The first trust sells notes linked to the credit of a sponsor. With the proceeds the first trust purchases bonds with very little risk, such as US treasury bonds. At the end of a specified period, such as five years, and in the absence of a bankruptcy of the sponsor, the first trust liquidates the bonds and redeems the notes. In the event of a bankruptcy of the sponsor, the bonds are liquidated and a predetermined portion, such as two-thirds, of the proceeds arc used to redeem the notes, while the remainder of the proceeds are transferred to a second trust pursuant to the credit derivative. The second trust funds indemnification and defense-like protection for the directors and officers of the sponsor. In the event that proceeds remain after claims are processed, the remainder is donated to a charity.

Abstract: A computer system for managing, creating, and support of a novel investment instrument, known as a Security Receipt. This receipt provides translation of ownership of plural underlying securities to the holder of the receipt in a seamless and efficient way. The system permits enhanced security creation, and orderly support to facilitate liquidity and market trading of the Security Receipt.

Abstract: A computer system for managing, creating, and support of a novel investment instrument, known as a Security Receipt. This receipt provides translation of ownership of plural underlying securities to the holder of the receipt in a seamless and efficient way. The system permits enhanced security creation, and orderly support to facilitate liquidity and market trading of the Security Receipt.

Abstract: Novel computerized methods are described for illustrating and analyzing educational saving plans by considering the tax implications of these plans. The method is for use with a computer-readable medium on which are stored a plurality of respective educational institution identifiers and a plurality of educational savings plan parameter sets. Each of the educational institution identifiers is associated with a corresponding set of cost parameters specifying at least one of room, board, and tuition costs for the respective educational institution. Each of the educational savings plan parameter sets specifies one or more characteristics of a corresponding educational savings plan. The method includes the steps of receiving at least one educational institution identifier and, for each of the received identifiers, retrieving the corresponding set of cost parameters from the computer-readable medium.

Abstract: A business entity creates a real estate investment trust. The trust issues shares of preferred stock, each of which is associated with either a forward purchase contract obligating the holder to purchase common stock of business entity at a predetermined future time, or a warrant to purchase common stock. The preferred stock of the trust may be exchangeable for capital stock of the business entity upon the occurrence of a predetermined event. In this way the entity is able to insert capital with significant equity characteristics into its capital structure, and in the case of a financial institution, can provide favorable regulatory treatment of the capital that is raised.

Abstract: A system and a method for managing, organizing, and allocating service providers in the operational environment of a distributed computer network by applying trade and price mechanisms to a plurality of resource allocation decisions. Local resource allocation rules are set forth for maintaining a near-optimal, global load distribution. The service providers are dynamically allocated based upon the supply of the providers and the demand thereof. An automated mechanism, based on service provider reputation, channels demand away from failing or broken service providers. Strategic load balancing rules cause the elimination of ineffective service providers, and also provide a dynamic replication of service providers that cannot handle the current demand. Further, a method for managing the overall system behavior utilizes administrative surcharges.

Abstract: Novel techniques for operating a transactional processing system on which a CICS progran is stored. The CICS program includes logic for implementing business rules, and logic for accessing data. An ODBC invocation proven, stored on a client data processing system, is adapted to invoke stored procedures. The invocation program, executed by a remote computer, causes execution of the stored CICS program at the transactional processing system. The invocation program causes the CICS program to access data from a computer-readable data storage medium, and to filter the data by implementing business rules. The transactional processing system is equipped with business rules. The trnnsactional processing system is equipped with stored procedures (queries), executed in response to a query command stored in the invocation program and issued by the client data processing system. Thus, the result of the query include accessed data to which business rules have been applied.

Abstract: A data processing architecture provides a common grouping of code that supports a diverse set of services and allows substantially seamless access to these services by subscribers. The architecture is supported by several interrelated components. A framework mechanism provides conforming dynamically linked libraries specific to a given service. System operation is enhanced by a routing mechanism that allocates service loading in accordance with demand and availability. Because a common code framework characterizes much of the complex communication coding, developers seeking to implement new services can concentrate on creating service functionality and rely on the framework mechanism for communication and navigation support.

Abstract: A data processing system initiates, implements, confirms and updates a novel financial transaction support service, which provides an allotment of brokerage transactions, related financial services, and banking account services at a fee predicated on total assets in a selectively constructed Account Group. The foregoing system permits wide scale implementation of an asset-based fee structure for a wide range of services, with simplified and enhanced tracking of account activity.

Abstract: A computer system for enhanced management and archiving of select data types includes algorithms for transforming the data types into special system recognized objects and associated meta-data. High volume archiving is accomplished at low costs and substantially facilitated retrieval. The system is particularly useful in managing electronic message systems for institutions complying with regulatory requirements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for implementing object-transparent invocation operates in conjunction with a data processing system having a memory, a sender and at least one method capable of performing a function to advantageously deliver a message to the at least one method capable of performing a function, thereby (i) delivering the message without requiring the sender to have specific knowledge of the identity, address, name or existence of the at least one method capable of servicing the message, (ii) delivering the message to the at least one method capable of servicing the message, and/or (iii) delivering the message to the at least one method capable of servicing the message, without the use of identity, address or name information provided by the sender.