Abstract: Systems and methods of selling employee stock options (ESOs) and other compensation instruments. The method may comprise receiving a sale order for the employee stock options from a seller. The method may also comprise the step of determining a winning bidder based on bids submitted by at least two bidders that specify a price for the employee stock options. The method may further comprise suspending the auction until there are qualifying bids from at least two bidders. The method may also comprise transferring a derivative in place of the employee stock options to the winning bidder, wherein the derivative entities the holder thereof to buy a quantity of securities of an issuer at the price.

Abstract: The automated bid ask spread negotiations method is a computer process and system for negotiating transactions combining a bargain sale strategy with the normal negotiating process. The system effectively adds a bonus to the package of benefits, thereby closing the gap from a previous nominal price asked and bid, but payable to a charity of the seller's choice, over a long term and at a favorable rate of interest, at the same time, providing a tax deduction for the seller, as well as an interest deduction for the buyer of the asset or services.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention comprises a computer-implemented method for predicting interest rates, comprising the steps of: electronically receiving data describing one or more Fed fund futures rates; electronically adjusting the data describing the one or more Fed fund futures rates to obtain adjusted data regarding the one or more Fed fund futures rates; and electronically determining data regarding one or more expected Fed fund target rates. In another aspect, the invention comprises a system for predicting interest rates, comprising: one or more processors operable to determine probability distribution data for one or more Eurodollar rates based on Eurodollar futures option data; one or more processors operable to link said probability distribution data for one or more Eurodollar rates to overnight forward Fed funds rate data; and one or more processors operable to link said forward Fed funds rate data to expected Fed funds rate data.

Abstract: A set of solutions satisfying a constraint for an auction winner-determination problem are computed by generating a graph of paths, wherein each path represents a solution to the auction winner-determination problem that satisfies the constraint.

Abstract: Techniques for creating a complex order and routing the complex order to one or more exchanges to achieve optimal pricing without exposing the customer to the conventional legging risks associated with the trading of complex orders are provided. The trading system of the present disclosure provides this mechanism by routing the order to obtain the best possible price (see FIG. 4) and by accepting the risk of a partially executed order where one leg is executed and the other is not (see FIG. 5).

Abstract: A system and method for handling unemployment insurance includes a unified database containing unemployment insurance benefit data and unemployment insurance tax data. The unemployment insurance benefit data and the unemployment insurance tax data are unified into unified data. In another aspect, the system and method include a unified desktop configured to allow a worker to manage the unemployment insurance benefit data and the unemployment insurance tax data. The unified desktop enables a worker to manage both claims for unemployment insurance benefits and unemployment insurance tax payments.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention comprises a computer-implemented method for predicting interest rates, comprising the steps of: electronically receiving data describing one or more Fed fund futures rates; electronically adjusting the data describing the one or more Fed fund futures rates to obtain adjusted data regarding the one or more Fed fund futures rates; and electronically determining data regarding one or more expected Fed fund target rates. In another aspect, the invention comprises a system for predicting interest rates, comprising: one or more processors operable to determine probability distribution data for one or more Eurodollar rates based on Eurodollar futures option data; one or more processors operable to link said probability distribution data for one or more Eurodollar rates to overnight forward Fed funds rate data; and one or more processors operable to link said forward Fed funds rate data to expected Fed funds rate data.

Abstract: Insurance policy deductibles are managed by a plurality of interrelated tables each including a plurality of variables. The variables in a first table include a geographical variable, a transaction variable and an effective policy date variable. The variables in another table include additional geographic variables, structural characteristics, amount of insurance and provides controls for managing deductibles. The variables in a further table distinguish deductibles available to the policies. In an additional table, the variables identify movement from an old deductible to a new deductible.

Abstract: An electronic trading system and method are disclosed for implementing an electronic trading protocol that permits buyers and sellers to “negotiate in the middle” or “NIM” i.e., to negotiate the purchase and sale of an item (e.g., securities) at a price between or equal to the best current bid and offer prices for the item through the submission of an initial NIM order and one or more NIM counteroffer orders. In a preferred embodiment, each NIM session may comprise two phases, a NIM private phase and a NIM public phase. During the NIM private phase, the initial NIM order is presented only to the trader on the opposite side of the market with the highest ranked order based on price and time priority. During the NIM public phase, the initial NIM order is presented to all traders on the opposite side of the market with pending orders at the best market price. The trader who submitted the initial NIM order is preferably granted authority to determine whether or not a public phase for the NIM should be allowed.

Abstract: An ETF creation and redemption mechanism for use in managed Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) that retains the confidentiality of the ETF assets. An agency relationship is established with an AP representative who receives the underlying securities from the ETF as part of a like kind exchange in a redemption event. In an alternative embodiment, the AP representative may be used to obtain the portfolio securities as directed by the ETF to perform a creation event. The representative relationship is preferably established by an authorized participant (AP) according an agreement between the AP and the ETF.