Abstract: A method for automated trading based on information in a press release is disclosed. A programmed computer receives a press release from a wire service. The programmed computer scans each word of the press release sequentially. The programmed computer employs a scanned word as an index into a pre-processed table of reduced-encoded, negative sentiment and positive sentiment words, where sentiment is measured on a log-scale. The programmed computer fetches a word from the table based on the index. The programmed computer renders at least one trading decision based on the fetched word. The programmed computer delivers the at least one trading decision to at least one trading system.