Abstract: An article of manufacture is provided to make decisions regarding funding additional contributions to an investment that is funded using an asset accumulation strategy. A data processor automatically determines an absolute value of a compound average annual rate of return of the investment for a plurality of successive time instances, and an absolute value of an internal rate of return of the investment for a plurality of successive time instances. The data processor then identifies a first time instance when the absolute value of the compound average annual rate of return of the investment exceeds the absolute value of the internal rate of return of the investment. Another article of manufacture identifies a first time instance when the compound average annual rate of return of the investment exceeds the internal rate of return of the investment and when a total return is greater than zero.

Abstract: Techniques are described for securitizing, administrating and trading various index shares securitized by derivative, cash-settled instruments on the underlying index. In some examples, the tradable index shares are backed by a fractional interest in a plurality of derivative financial instruments and an amount of cash about equal to a strike price for one of the plurality of financial instruments to secure the tradable index receipt.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for facilitating commercial transactions involving the exchange of monetary value for goods, services, or other value between remote individuals, as in the case of transactions between users of a distributed computer network such as the Internet. Remote individuals are provided with a convenient, cost-efficient, and secure means for engaging in commercial transactions with one another. The invention provides remote sellers with an irrevocable means of receiving funds from a remote purchaser; means for improving purchaser willingness to transact with an unknown party; transaction tracking; and rapid funds availability.

Abstract: A plurality of option value prices are determined for employee stock options. An average stock price corresponding to a particular one of the plurality of option value prices is determined. The employee stock option is exchanged for the value. The terms of the employee stock option are amended and the option is transferred to a third party in exchange for a value. The third party hedges the amended options.

Abstract: A method for managing an investment vehicle. An option is purchased for protection of cash flows to be paid by the investment vehicle to designated investors. An option is sold offsetting the purchased option at least in part. The cash flows and security priorities of the investment vehicle are structured so that the purchased option protects the protected investors, and the proceeds of the sale of the sold option offsets the cost of the purchased option for benefit of non-protected investors.

Abstract: Methods for determining a range of fair value prices for equity research to be supplied by a sell-side firm to a buy-side firm. The range of fair value prices may be used, for example, to frame the discussions between the sell-side firm and the buy-side firm over the price of equity research supplied by the sell-side firm. For example, the parties may engage in discussion discussions as to which determined fair value price or prices are most appropriate to the parties' circumstances. A number of different pricing techniques are disclosed.

Abstract: Techniques are described for securitizing, administrating and trading various index shares securitized by derivative, cash-settled instruments on the underlying index. In some aspects, a method includes determining in a computer system, a value for a tradable index share that tracks increases in a value of an index. The tradable index share is backed by a fractional interest in a creation unit that includes a long index futures contract and one of a long put index options contract and a long put index futures options contract. The long, put index options contract has a strike price that is the same as a mark price of the long index futures contract and each having the same expiration date.

Abstract: A virtual trading method and system such that customers select investments, but the funds transferred in the amount of such investments are instead invested by an investment company. Customers receive the value of their selected investments and potentially incentives provided by the investment company, such as rebates.

Abstract: A system and method for an event driven virtual workspace are described. According to one example method, a trader can define a plurality of windows to be associated with a virtual workspace. Also, the trader could define one or more triggering events, the combination of which may be used to activate the virtual workspace. In such an embodiment, when the system detects the one or more triggers, the system can attempt to activate the virtual workspace. According to the example method, the trader may place a number of limiting conditions before any states of the currently displayed windows are modified such that the triggered virtual workspace could be displayed. If no limiting conditions are detected, the system can display the triggered virtual workspace.

Abstract: A method and system for providing multiple real-time pricing quotes based on optional consumer variables is disclosed. A user accesses a web site and is provided with a web page enabling the user to choose a product with multiple optional features. Upon selection of the product and desired features, the user is provided with pricing information for the selected products and features and provided with the option to modify the product be selecting different features. Upon selection of the modification, the user is provided with a web page simultaneously displaying the original selection and associated feature prices and the modification and associated feature prices.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for performing a contingent claim valuation of a combination option including one or more multi-stage contingent claims, and an early-launch contingent claim. The method may include determining a first value representing payoffs attributable to exercise of the early-launch contingent claim at a selected decision point; and a second value representing payoffs the attributable to exercise of the multi-stage contingent claim(s) at respective decision point(s), and a contingent claim at an expiration exercise point. The first and/or second values may be determined based upon a respective present value distribution of contingent future value and a respective present value of an exercise price, the present values including a respective distribution and exercise price discounted according to first and second discount rates, respectively. A value of the contingent claim may then be determined based upon the first value and/or the second value.

Abstract: The present invention facilitates efficient negotiations of trade terms and the generation of an electronic trade ticket in the trading of financial instruments. The negotiation process is preferably conducted through a secure online chat program using point-to-point messaging, though the negotiations can take place using the tradition exchanges of phone calls and faxes outside of the confines of an electronic trading system. Once the trade terms have been agreed upon by both parties, then the parties enter an electronic trading system in accordance with the present invention to select the traded financial instrument and generate an electronic trade ticket with can be stored by the trading system and/or the each of the trading parties.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method and a system for generating an administrative note associated with a network-based commerce facility, associating an administrator-selected aspect of the network-based commerce facility with the administrative note, and storing the administrative note.

Abstract: A method, product and system are disclosed for generating and facilitating user navigation among one or more investment maps and corresponding scorecards generated using stored data associated with performance metrics of a several information technology (IT) projects.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing sales transactions using a mobile communications device and without requiring text messaging or paging services are disclosed. In one example, a subscriber desiring to purchase goods or services proceeds to a point of sale device where the purchase price for the goods or services is totaled. The subscriber then initiates a voice call with a central transaction server. The subscriber provides a point of sale device identifier and the purchase price to the central transaction server. The central transaction server contacts a local transaction server using the identifier provided by the subscriber. The central transaction server also prompts the subscriber to select the payment account for the transaction and verifies that the subscriber has sufficient credit to purchase the goods or services. The central transaction server locates a pending transaction entry in a database local to the point of sale using the device identifier provided by the subscriber.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for facilitating commercial transactions involving the exchange of monetary value for goods, services, or other value between remote individuals, as in the case of transactions between users of a distributed computer network such as the Internet. Remote individuals are provided with a convenient, cost-efficient, and secure means for engaging in commercial transactions with one another. The invention provides remote sellers with an irrevocable means of receiving funds from a remote purchaser; means for improving purchaser willingness to transact with an unknown party; transaction tracking; and rapid funds availability.

Abstract: A system includes a communication module to communicate with at least one client; and a server to process a task identified by the client, the task associated with an account, the server including a plurality of account-centric pipelines, one or more account-centric pipelines each configured to process the task.

Abstract: A system and method for preventing credit card fraud by comparing the location of a given transaction with the location of a predetermined communication device is provided.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for performing a contingent claim valuation of a multi-stage option including a plurality of contingent claims exercisable at a plurality of respective exercise points including one or more exercise points before an expiration exercise point. The method may include determining a present value distribution of contingent future benefits attributable to the exercise of the contingent claim at the expiration exercise point, including discounting a distribution of contingent future benefits according to a first discount rate; and determining present values of exercise prices required to exercise the contingent claim at respective exercise points, including discounting exercise prices at respective exercise points according to a second discount rate that need not equal the first discount rate.

Abstract: A computer implemented method includes determining a value for a tradable index share that tracks performance of an index. The tradable index share is backed by a fractional interest in a creation unit that includes a long call index option contract and a short put index options contract. The long call index options contract and the short index put options contract have the same initial strike price and the same expiration date.