Abstract: A system is provided for processing spot trades in selected commodities among a group of trading stations in a communication network through a series of structured stages. Each trading station is capable of initiating a transaction with any other trading station in the network by transmitting a request for a quotation on a selected commodity. The receiving, or counterparty, trading station responds by transmitting a quotation back to the initiating trader, and the trader transmits a proposal based on this quotation. The counterparty then transmits an acceptance of the proposal and upon receipt of this acceptance by the initiating trader, a confirmation signal is automatically transmitted back to the counterparty and the deal is automatically logged at both sites. Alterations of transmitted quotations and proposals and extensive negotiation are also possible.