Abstract: An improved volatility index and related derivatives contracts are provided. An index in accordance with the principals of the present invention estimates expected volatility from the prices of stock options in a wide range of strike prices. Also, an index in accordance with the principals of the present invention is calculated from a price dragging methodology to derive expected volatility. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, derivative contracts such as futures and options based on the volatility index of the present invention are provided.

Abstract: An electronic trading platform can perform automated trading of one or more types of financial instruments (e.g., equities or options). Interests (e.g., quotes, set of quotes, bids and offers) of market participants are analyzed to determine if they qualify as a “Priority Interest” when an initiating interest is matched with resting interest on the contraside. If one or more interests qualify as a Priority Interest, the corresponding participant who submitted the corresponding interest may remain eligible for allocation in a Market Maker allocation tier. Allocation as a Market Maker with Priority Interest includes, but is not limited to, in combination or individually: (1) allocation ahead of or preference over other equal-priced interest, (2) Market Maker standard fees for trades corresponding to the interest, and/or (3) trades resulting from Priority Interest may count towards a Market Maker's volume requirement(s) in its appointed classes.

Abstract: A shoe system having an attachable ornamental accessory, comprising a shoe including a toe-hold area including at least one detachable attachment device and including a heel-hold area including at least one attachment device. Also included is an attachable ornamental accessory comprising a length of material that can be removably attached at one end to the toe-hold area and can be removably attached at a second end to the heel-hold area. The length of material may comprise or include various types of ornamental objects.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring an equity rights transaction for strategic investors in a securities exchange. More specifically, a technological infrastructure which monitors an equity rights program in which units representing the right to acquire equity in an exchange or an exchange's parent holding company are issued to a participating member in exchange for a cash payment and the achievement of certain volume thresholds on the exchange over a specified period.

Abstract: An electronic trading platform can perform automated trading of one or more types of financial instruments (e.g., equities or options). Interests (e.g., quotes, set of quotes, bids and offers) of market participants are analyzed to determine if they qualify as a “Priority Interest” when an initiating interest is matched with resting interest on the contraside. If one or more interests qualify as a Priority Interest, the corresponding participant who submitted the corresponding interest may remain eligible for allocation in a Market Maker allocation tier. Allocation as a Market Maker with Priority Interest includes, but is not limited to, in combination or individually: (1) allocation ahead of or preference over other equal-priced interest, (2) Market Maker standard fees for trades corresponding to the interest, and/or (3) trades resulting from Priority Interest may count towards a Market Maker's volume requirement(s) in its appointed classes.

Abstract: An electronic trading platform can perform automated trading of one or more types of financial instruments (e.g., equities or options). Interests (e.g., quotes, set of quotes, bids and offers) of market participants are analyzed to determine if they qualify as a “Priority Interest” when an initiating interest is matched with resting interest on the contraside. If one or more interests qualify as a Priority Interest, the corresponding participant who submitted the corresponding interest may remain eligible for allocation in a Market Maker allocation tier. Allocation as a Market Maker with Priority Interest includes, but is not limited to, in combination or individually: (1) allocation ahead of or preference over other equal-priced interest, (2) Market Maker standard fees for trades corresponding to the interest, and/or (3) trades resulting from Priority Interest may count towards a Market Maker's volume requirement(s) in its appointed classes.

Abstract: A computerized trading platform for performing Enhanced Allocation of contracts from an order to Lead Market Makers depending on the number of contracts to be traded at a national best bid offer (NBBO). After all customer orders have been processed, lots of a small size order (SSO) will be preferentially directed to a Lead Market Maker without sharing. For each incoming order that is not a small size, if the Lead Market Maker is quoting at the NBBO, its participation entitlement is equal to the greater of (i) the proportion of the size of the LMM's quote to the total quote size at the LE-BBO, (ii) sixty percent (60%) of the contracts to be allocated if there is only one (1) other Market Maker quotation at the LE-BBO and (iii) forty percent (40%) of the contracts if there are two (2) or more other Market Maker quotations at the LE-BBO. For purposes of allocation, all Market Maker Priority interest at a certain price level shall be aggregated.