Abstract: A system and method for creating a limited risk derivative based on a realized variance of an underlying equity is disclosed. In one implementation, a limited risk derivative product includes a capped value for a statistical property reflecting a variance of the underlying equity is calculated based on a pari-mutuel action. The capped value comprises a dynamic value and a cap. The dynamic value reflects an average volatility of prices returns of the underlying equity over a predefined period of time and the cap reflects a maximum value of the dynamic value. The limited risk derivative product additionally includes an average of a summation of each squared daily return of the underlying equity included in the value for the statistical property reflecting the variance of the underlying equity.

Abstract: A method and system for creating a volatility benchmark index is disclosed. The method includes obtaining a value of a Treasury bill account less a mark-to-market value of at least one of a volatility-based future or option and calculating a value reflecting a volatility benchmark. The value may be displayed at a trading facility and volatility benchmark quotes may be transmitted by the trading facility to a market participant.

Abstract: A method and system for creating and trading an investment instrument based on an initial public offering of an entity is disclosed that allows investors to take risk positions relative to the occurrence or non-occurrence of a contingent binary event. The contingent binary event will have one of two possible outcomes. In a digital derivative contract, a long investor agrees to pay a short investor a contract amount in return for the short investor agreeing to pay the long investor one of two different settlement amounts depending on the outcome as the contingent binary event. Typically, one settlement amount will be zero and the other will be an amount greater than the digital derivative contract price.

Abstract: A computer-readable memory containing processor executable program instructions for creating a benchmark index (XXX) is disclosed including obtaining gross daily rates of return of a covered stock index portfolio since an inception date, multiplying the cumulative product of the gross daily rates of return of the covered stock index portfolio since the inception date by a multiplier, and wherein the value of the index is calculated according to the formula XXXt=XXXt-1(1+Rt) where Rt is a daily rate of return of the covered stock index portfolio, the daily rate of return including ordinary cash dividends paid on component stocks of the index that trade ex-dividend on a date.

Abstract: A system and method for creating a limited risk derivative based on a realized variance of an underlying equity is disclosed. In one implementation, a limited risk derivative product includes a capped value for a statistical property reflecting a variance of the underlying equity is calculated based on a pari-mutuel action. The capped value comprises a dynamic value and a cap. The dynamic value reflects an average volatility of prices returns of the underlying equity over a predefined period of time and the cap reflects a maximum value of the dynamic value. The limited risk derivative product additionally includes an average of a summation of each squared daily return of the underlying equity included in the value for the statistical property reflecting the variance of the underlying equity.

Abstract: In accordance with the principles of the present invention, various financial instruments are provided. In one embodiment, a financial instrument measures the performance of a covered call strategy by selling out-of-the-money call options on an underlying asset. In another embodiment, a financial instrument measures the total return of a put protected strategy on an underlying asset. In another embodiment, a financial instrument measures the total return of a collar strategy on an underlying asset.

Abstract: A method of creating and trading packaged standard credit rating derivatives on an exchange is provided, as well as a trading facility for trading such packaged standard credit rating derivatives. Credit rating derivatives are created by identifying a credit rating service that includes a plurality of risk categories. Unique monetary values are mapped to risk categories and an entity rated by the credit rating service is identified. A credit rating derivative is then created whose value is determined at least in part by the monetary value to which the risk category associated with the rated entity is mapped.

Abstract: A method of creating and trading derivative contracts based on a volume weighted average price (“VWAP”) of an underlying asset is disclosed. Typically, an underlying asset is chosen to be a base of a VWAP derivative and a processor calculates a VWAP reflecting an average trading price of an underlying asset during a calculation period that is weighted according to the proportion of a total volume of underlying assets traded at each traded price. A trading facility display device coupled to a trading platform then displays VWAP derivatives and the trading facility transmits VWAP derivative quotes from liquidity providers over at least one dissemination network.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an investment instrument which allows investors to take risk positions relative to the occurrence or non-occurrence of a contingent binary event. The contingent binary event will have one of two possible outcomes. In a digital futures contract, a long investor agrees to pay a short investor a contract futures amount in return for the short investor agreeing to pay the long investor one of two different settlement amounts depending on the outcome as the contingent binary event. Typically one settlement amount will be zero and the other will be an amount greater than the futures price.

Abstract: A financial instrument in accordance with the principles of the present invention provides creating an underlying asset portfolio and implementing a passive total return strategy into the financial instrument based on writing the nearby call option against that same underlying asset portfolio for a set period on or near the day the previous nearby call option contract expires. The call written will have that set period remaining to expiration, with an exercise price just above the prevailing underlying asset price level (i.e., slightly out of the money). In one embodiment, the call option is held until expiration and cash settled, at which time a new call option is written for the set period. In another embodiment, the call option is written against the underlying asset portfolio at least thirty (30) days prior to when the call will expire and the call option is not cash-settled; whereby the financial instrument is a “qualified covered call” under the Internal Revenue Code.