Abstract: A method of auctioning exchange traded assets is described. Before commencing the auction bidding, the seller establishes a maximum asset amount representing a greatest amount of the exchange traded assets to be auctioned, and a minimum asset price representing a minimum acceptable bid amount for a given amount of the exchange traded assets. During the bidding, bids are received for the assets, with each bid including a bid price and a corresponding bid amount of assets. After the bidding, a market demand is determined that represents the total of all the bid amounts for the bids. If the market demand is greater than or equal to the maximum asset amount, a clearing price is established that allocates the maximum asset amount of the assets according to the bids at a final price between and including the clearing price and the minimum asset price.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for auctioning securities. The methods and apparatus receive one or more backstop bids for the securities from one or more backstop bidders and implement a real-time auction of securities over the Internet. The methods and apparatus determine a clearing price for the auction, the clearing price being determined such that all of the securities are distributed and allocate at least a portion of the securities to the one or more backstop bidders if the clearing price is less than the backstop bids.