Abstract: Methods and apparatus relating to the formulation and trading of investment contracts are described. An ordering party inputs contract data relating to a phenomenon. The phenomenon has a range of future outcomes and a future time of maturity. The contract data includes a set of probabilities of occurrence for each outcome within the range, and a consideration due a counterparty at or after the time of matching. At least one counterparty inputs registering data that includes a set of probabilities of occurrence for each outcome in the range. A data processing means prices and matches a contract for the phenomenon from the contract data and registering data.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus which deal with the management of risk relating to specified, yet unknown, future events are disclosed.`Sponsor` stakeholders specify a particular product relating to an event or phenomenon for which there is a range of possible future outcomes.`Ordering` stakeholders then offer contracts relating to the predetermined phenomenon and corresponding range of outcomes. The offered contracts specify an entitlement or (pay-off) at the future time of maturity for each outcome, and a consideration (or premium) payable, in exchange, to a `counter-party` stakeholder.Independently of the offered contracts, the `counter-party` stakeholders input data as to their view of the likelihood of occurrence of each outcome in the predetermined range into the future, or specifically at the predetermined date of maturity.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus which deal with the management of risk relating to specified, yet unknown, future events are disclosed.`Sponsor` stakeholders specify a particular product relating to an event or phenomenon for which there is a range of possible future outcomes.`Ordering` stakeholders then offer contracts relating to the predetermined phenomenon and corresponding range of outcomes. The offered contracts specify an entitlement or (pay-off) at the future time of maturity for each outcome, and a consideration (or premium) payable, in exchange, to a `counter-party` stakeholder.Independently of the offered contracts, the `counter-party` stakeholders input data as to their view of the likelihood of occurrence of each outcome in the predetermined range into the future, or specifically at the predetermined date of maturity.Each offered contract is priced by calculating counter-party premiums from the registered data, and a match attempted by a comparison of the offered premium with the calculated premiums.