Abstract: A method for responding to order flow is disclosed. The method comprises establishing for a market maker a rule for automatically generating a contra order in response to an order. The rule comprises at least one condition comprising at least one characteristic describing the order. The at least one condition allowing matching based on a security in the order is in a security list specified by the market maker. The method further comprises receiving from a trader the order; matching on the computer the order to the at least one condition of the rule; automatically generating the contra order in response to the order, if the rule is satisfied; and providing the contra order for acceptance.

Abstract: A bartering system implements barters between a plurality of parties each having one or more classes of items available for barter. Preferably, barter orders are created by designating a selected quantity of a first class of items to be bartered, designating a date range for transferring title of the first class items to be bartered, designating a barter value of the first class of items to be bartered, and designating a second class of items to be acquired. Barter orders are posted via the Internet to a barter database and may be displayed via the Internet. Posted barter orders whose first class of items match the second class of items of a barterer's order are preferably displayed. Posted barter orders from the display are selected to effectuate a barter transaction which combines a barterer's barter order with the selected posted order(s). Toolkits are provided for enabling parties, particularly marketmakers, to respond to barter orders in an automated manner.

Abstract: A method for responding to order flow is disclosed. The method comprises establishing for a market maker a rule for automatically generating a contra order in response to an order. The rule comprises at least one condition comprising at least one characteristic describing the order. The at least one condition allowing matching based on a security in the order is in a security list specified by the market maker. The method further comprises receiving from a trader the order; matching on the computer the order to the at least one condition of the rule; automatically generating the contra order in response to the order, if the rule is satisfied; and providing the contra order for acceptance.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides automated systems and methods that facilitate consummation of Volume Weighted Average Price (“VWAP”) transactions and that support crossing of offsetting orders, cancellation of orders and enhanced liquidity for system users. Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide a pre-open crossing network, an approximation engine and an intra-day crossing network. A processing engine is provided that is in communication with an algorithmic module and a database which advantageously includes a liquidity database. The processing engine is programmed to automatically access the liquidity database to determine an acceptable quantity of shares for trading in response to, and based upon, a requested user trade received by the processing engine. The algorithmic module includes programming for establishing a trading regimen for effecting trades that approach or achieve a VWAP price for best efforts VWAP trades.

Abstract: A bartering system implements barters between a plurality of parties each having one or more classes of items available for barter. Preferably, barter orders are created by designating a selected quantity of a first class of items to be bartered, designating a date range for transferring title of the first class items to be bartered, designating a barter value of the first class of items to be bartered, and designating a second class of items to be acquired. Barter orders are posted via the Internet to a barter database and may be displayed via the Internet. Posted barter orders whose first class of items match the second class of items of a barterer's order are preferably displayed. Posted barter orders from the display are selected to effectuate a barter transaction which combines a barterer's barter order with the selected posted order(s). Toolkits are provided for enabling parties, particularly marketmakers, to respond to barter orders in an automated manner.