Abstract: Real time or near real time assessment of the quality of securities transactions is accomplished by intercepting order and execution communications between trader and broker, comparing the execution data with contemporaneous market data relative to the transaction or transactions involved, and informing the trader of that comparison. This is accomplished without interrupting or impeding the trader-broker communications, except that a broker-trader communication may, if desired, be interrupted and relevant data aggregated until the aggregate reaches a desired value. It is preferred that the comparison be between the volume-weighted average price of the securities transaction and the volume-weighted average price of the market data for that security, over the life of the order. A particular effective way to communicate the quality evaluation to the trader is disclosed.

Abstract: A trading platform adapted for pairs trading of unrelated securities from one or more asset classes using a single order approach is provided.

Abstract: An electronic trading system (ETS) implements risk mitigation methods for orders and quotes associated with a market participant on the ETS. The methods determine a measure of risk associated with one or more trading positions. One of the methods globally counts the number of breaches of risk thresholds associated with a trading symbol and market participant across all matching engines on the ETS over a rolling time period, and if this global risk counter exceeds a maximum, disables all further trades by the market participant on the ETS. Another method limits the number of automatic re-enablements that a market participant can request in response to prior breaches of risk thresholds that resulted in disabling any further trading by the market participant on the ETS.

Abstract: A tracking liquidity order and related market center and process are disclosed which allow posting market centers (e.g. exchanges) to fill routable, smaller orders that would have otherwise routed off the posting market center. Such tracking liquidity orders increase the liquidity of that posting market center and allow it to execute more orders internally, without having to route them to an away market center.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transforming an electronic portfolio. A system includes an electronic crossing platform that receives data defining trade orders of the electronic portfolio during an initial time period; compares portions of the data to determine an imbalance of the trade orders remaining after the initial time period and receives, during a final time period, a final trade order from a fund agent device to offset the remaining imbalance. The platform receives, after the final time period, a benchmark value of the electronic portfolio from a fund device; compares the final trade order with the remaining imbalance to determine an adjustment value; converts the benchmark value to a final value by applying the adjustment value to the benchmark value; and transforms the electronic portfolio into the transformed portfolio by creating paired buy and sell orders among the trade orders received during the initial time period at the final value.

Abstract: Real time or near real time assessment of the quality of securities transactions is accomplished by intercepting order and execution communications between trader and broker, comparing the execution data with contemporaneous market data relative to the transaction or transactions involved, and informing the trader of that comparison. This is accomplished without interrupting or impeding the trader-broker communications, except that a broker-trader communication may, if desired, be interrupted and relevant data aggregated until the aggregate reaches a desired value. It is preferred that the comparison be between the volume-weighted average price of the securities transaction and the volume-weighted average price of the market data for that security, over the life of the order. A particular effective way to communicate the quality evaluation to the trader is disclosed.

Abstract: An enhanced system and method for handling, matching and executing a diverse group of limit-priced orders in an electronic options environment is disclosed. Most of the order types disclosed are automatically repriced and reposted as the NBBO changes to increase their execution opportunities. Market maker entitlements are integrated with the order processing, so that the market maker is guaranteed an allocation of the trade if the market maker is at the NBBO when an order priced at or better than the NBBO is received. Once posted to the order book, the displayed price of an order may be eligible for preferential execution in a market maker entitlement process, regardless of whether the displayed price is original or has been automatically repriced.

Abstract: A directed order process and related market center system are disclosed, wherein a market center system grants permission to order sending firms to send directed order flow to participating designated market makers. Such designated market makers create a virtual guarantee order book for each permissioned order sending firm. If an order sending firm sends a directed order to the market center that is marketable against a virtual guarantee order, then the market center system automatically pairs the orders in a two-sided directed cross order instruction, which executes against any superior interest in an electronic marketplace before crossing, all while maintaining anonymity amongst the parties.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transforming an electronic portfolio. A system includes an electronic crossing platform that receives data defining trade orders of the electronic portfolio during an initial time period; compares portions of the data to determine an imbalance of the trade orders remaining after the initial time period and receives, during a final time period, a final trade order from a fund agent device to offset the remaining imbalance. The platform receives, after the final time period, a benchmark value of the electronic portfolio from a fund device; compares the final trade order with the remaining imbalance to determine an adjustment value; converts the benchmark value to a final value by applying the adjustment value to the benchmark value; and transforms the electronic portfolio into the transformed portfolio by creating paired buy and sell orders among the trade orders received during the initial time period at the final value.

Abstract: Real time or near real time assessment of the quality of securities transactions is accomplished by intercepting order and execution communications between trader and broker, comparing the execution data with contemporaneous market data relative to the transaction or transactions involved, and informing the trader of that comparison. This is accomplished without interrupting or impeding the trader-broker communications, except that a broker-trader communication may, if desired, be interrupted and relevant data aggregated until the aggregate reaches a desired value. It is preferred that the comparison be between the volume-weighted average price of the securities transaction and the volume-weighted average price of the market data for that security, over the life of the order. A particular effective way to communicate the quality evaluation to the trader is disclosed.

Abstract: An enhanced system and method for handling, matching and executing a diverse group of limit-priced orders in an electronic options environment is disclosed. Most of the order types disclosed are automatically repriced and reposted as the NBBO changes to increase their execution opportunities. Market maker entitlements are integrated with the order processing, so that the market maker is guaranteed an allocation of the trade if the market maker is at the NBBO when an order priced at or better than the NBBO is received. Once posted to the order book, the displayed price of an order may be eligible for preferential execution in a market maker entitlement process, regardless of whether the displayed price is original or has been automatically repriced.

Abstract: An unpriced order auction and related market center and process are disclosed which allow posting market centers (e.g., exchanges) to schedule an auction that includes unpriced (Market) orders only. Such unpriced order auction executes at the midpoint of the NBBO, ensuring that the cross reflects the best prices in the entire marketplace, while discouraging the manipulation of the auction price on the posting market center. The disclosed auction also executes concurrently, but separately from the regular continuous matching process.

Abstract: An enhanced system and method for handling, matching and executing a diverse group of limit-priced orders in an electronic options environment is disclosed. Most of the order types disclosed are automatically repriced and reposted as the NBBO changes to increase their execution opportunities. Market maker entitlements are integrated with the order processing, so that the market maker is guaranteed an allocation of the trade if the market maker is at the NBBO when an order priced at or better than the NBBO is received. Once posted to the order book, the displayed price of an order may be eligible for preferential execution in a market maker entitlement process, regardless of whether the displayed price is original or has been automatically repriced.

Abstract: A trading platform adapted for pairs trading of unrelated securities from one or more asset classes using a single order approach is provided.

Abstract: Real time or near real time assessment of the quality of securities transactions is accomplished by intercepting order and execution communications between trader and broker, comparing the execution data with contemporaneous market data relative to the transaction or transactions involved, and informing the trader of that comparison. This is accomplished without interrupting or impeding the trader-broker communications, except that a broker-trader communication may, if desired, be interrupted and relevant data aggregated until the aggregate reaches a desired value. It is preferred that the comparison be between the volume-weighted average price of the securities transaction and the volume-weighted average price of the market data for that security, over the life of the order. A particular effective way to communicate the quality evaluation to the trader is disclosed.

Abstract: An electronic trading system implements a display price that guarantees a minimum available quantity for trade. The electronic trading system determines a quantity of financial instruments available at various prices for incoming orders. A display bid price and display offer price are determined so that the quantity available at the display prices exceeds a display quantity threshold. The electronic trading system receives orders designated fast and slow. Fast orders are used for large, rapid trades at known prices. Slow orders trade with a delay for a price improvement auction. Orders meeting a minimum order quantity threshold may participate in an auction for incoming orders that offers price improvement to the execution price of aggressively priced orders. The electronic trading system implements risk management measures based on order size and percentage filled for individual trades and series of trades. The electronic trading system supports orders having multiple legs.

Abstract: A tracking liquidity order and related market center and process are disclosed which allow posting market centers (e.g. exchanges) to fill routable, smaller orders that would have otherwise routed off the posting market center. Such tracking liquidity orders increase the liquidity of that posting market center and allow it to execute more orders internally, without having to route them to an away market center.

Abstract: An enhanced system and method for handling, matching and executing a diverse group of limit-priced orders in an electronic options environment is disclosed. Most of the order types disclosed are automatically repriced and reposted as the NBBO changes to increase their execution opportunities. Market maker entitlements are integrated with the order processing, so that the market maker is guaranteed an allocation of the trade if the market maker is at the NBBO when an order priced at or better than the NBBO is received. Once posted to the order book, the displayed price of an order may be eligible for preferential execution in a market maker entitlement process, regardless of whether the displayed price is original or has been automatically repriced.

Abstract: An electronic trading system implements a display price that guarantees a minimum available quantity for trade. The electronic trading system determines a quantity of financial instruments available at various prices for incoming orders. A display bid price and display offer price are determined so that the quantity available at the display prices exceeds a display quantity threshold. The electronic trading system receives orders designated fast and slow. Fast orders are used for large, rapid trades at known prices. Slow orders trade with a delay for a price improvement auction. Orders meeting a minimum order quantity threshold may participate in an auction for incoming orders that offers price improvement to the execution price of aggressively priced orders. The electronic trading system implements risk management measures based on order size and percentage filled for individual trades and series of trades. The electronic trading system supports orders having multiple legs.

Abstract: A directed order process and related market center are disclosed, wherein a market center grants permission to order sending firms to send directed order flow to participating designated market makers. Such designated market makers create a virtual guarantee order book for each permissioned order sending firm. If an order sending firm sends a directed order to the market center that is marketable against a virtual guarantee order, then the market center automatically pairs the orders in a two-sided directed cross order instruction, which executes against any superior trading interest in the marketplace first before crossing.