U.S. patent application number 17/555641 was filed with the patent office on 2022-04-14 for systems and methods for bid/offer liquidity spread trading.
The applicant listed for this patent is BGC PARTNERS, INC.. Invention is credited to Lee Amaitis, Howard W. Lutnick, Michael Sweeting.
Application Number | 20220114667 17/555641 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-04-14 |
View All Diagrams
United States Patent
Application |
20220114667 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sweeting; Michael ; et
al. |
April 14, 2022 |
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR BID/OFFER LIQUIDITY SPREAD TRADING
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for automatically executing a trade of an
item between a market participant who issues a request for a quote
for an item and a market participant who responds to the request
are provided. In some embodiments, an automatic trade may be
conditioned upon the acknowledgement, by the participant who issues
the request, of an obligation to execute the trade. In some
embodiments, the invention may include one or more modules for
receiving the request, receiving a quote, receiving a responsive
number of units of the item to be traded, decrementing a time
interval in which the participant who issues the request is
required to trade, and, if that participant does not trade within
the time interval, trading on behalf of that participant.
Inventors: |
Sweeting; Michael;
(Aldershot, GB) ; Lutnick; Howard W.; (New York,
NY) ; Amaitis; Lee; (Las Vegas, NV) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
BGC PARTNERS, INC. |
|
|
|
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/555641 |
Filed: |
December 20, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
16723430 |
Dec 20, 2019 |
11205227 |
|
|
17555641 |
|
|
|
|
10640829 |
Aug 13, 2003 |
10515408 |
|
|
16723430 |
|
|
|
|
International
Class: |
G06Q 40/04 20060101
G06Q040/04 |
Claims
1. A trading system comprising: a software quote request reception
module operative to receive from a requesting participant a request
for a quote for at least one item; a software quote reception
module operative to receive from at least one of a first responsive
participant and a second responsive participant a quote for said
item; and a software trade supervision module operative to impose a
penalty on said requesting participant if said requesting
participant does not execute a trade, said trade exchanging said
item between said requesting participant and at least one of said
responsive participants.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 16/723,430 filed Dec. 20, 2019, which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/640,829 filed
on Aug. 13, 2003 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,515,408), each of which is
incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to the trading of securities. More
particularly, this invention relates to the trading of securities
in a thinly traded market using a bid/offer liquidity spread
trading mechanism.
[0003] The cornerstone of economic activity is the production and
consumption of goods and services in a market economy. Economic
efficiency and market performance are measured by the distribution
of such goods and services between a buyer and a seller. The value
of goods and services is usually expressed in a currency of
denomination, such as United States dollars. Such economic activity
extends beyond national borders. The trading of goods and services
occurs across international borders, creating a market in which
currency itself is traded and is governed by the laws of supply and
demand.
[0004] Throughout history, many different approaches have been
adopted to bring buyers and sellers of goods, services, and
currency together, each with the key objective of permitting
transactions at or as close as possible, to the "market" price of
the tradable item.
[0005] The market price is the price (in given currency terms) that
a fully educated market will transact selected products. In order
to achieve this, all potential buyers and sellers should have full
and equal access to the transaction. The buyer and seller
transaction must be structured to operate at very low costs or it
will distort the market price of the tradable items with
artificially high transaction costs. The two keys to effective
buyer and seller transactions are full access of expression and
knowledge and low transaction costs. However, these are often
conflicting yet necessitating trade-offs between trading efficiency
and market knowledge.
[0006] Today, electronic matching and dealing systems have found
successful applications in many trading activities, including the
buying and selling of a variety of items, such as goods, services,
and currency. Electronic trading systems have become popular for
the trading of securities, particularly for the trading of
fixed-income securities, such as United States Treasuries, United
Kingdom Gilts, European Government Bonds, and Emerging Market
debts, and non-fixed income securities, such as stocks.
[0007] A market in which there is a high level of trading activity
with the ability to buy or sell with minimum price disturbance and
relative ease is often described as a liquid market. While some
securities can be traded often, other types of securities,
particularly older securities, are more difficult to trade. A
thinly traded market is often described as an illiquid market
because of the difficulty in trading a specific item. It is often
difficult to obtain liquidity in a thinly traded market.
[0008] In a method of electronic trading that may enhance
liquidity, a market participant, such as a trader, may submit a
request for a quote to a trading system. (The quote may be known as
a "spread market.") The desired quote may include a bid and an
offer for one or more units of a desired item. The trader (the
"requesting participant") may specify a bid/offer liquidity spread
("BOLS") that includes a spread value (or a bid value and an offer
value that define a spread). The request may be displayed by the
trading system to other traders. The requesting trader, in
specifying a BOLS, manifests a willingness to be bound to trade if
another market participant (e.g., a "responsive participant")
responds to the request with a quote that is within (or "meets")
the requested spread. After the responsive trader responds to the
request with bid and/or offer quotes, the requesting trader may, in
turn, respond to the bid and/or offer quotes by submitting sell or
buy commands, respectively, to the trading system. A trade has been
executed once a sell or buy command has been issued.
[0009] Despite the requesting trader's manifest willingness to be
obligated to trade when a responsive trader meets the requested
spread, a requesting trader sometimes does not comply with the
obligation to buy or sell. When a requesting trader abrogates an
obligation to buy or sell on a quote that meets the requested
spread, trader confidence in the trading mechanism may erode and
market liquidity may decrease.
[0010] In view of the foregoing, it would be desirable to provide
systems and methods for enforcing an obligation of a requesting
trader to buy or sell on a quote that meets a requested spread.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] It is an object of this invention to provide systems and
methods for enforcing an obligation of a requesting participant to
buy or sell on a quote that meets a requested spread.
[0012] In accordance with the principles of the invention, systems
and methods are provided for executing a trade of an item between a
requesting participant and at least one responsive participant. The
systems may include a software quote request reception module
operative to receive from the requesting participant a request for
a quote for the item; a software quote reception module operative
to receive from at least one responsive participants a quote for
the item; and a software trade supervision module that may impose a
penalty on the requesting participant if the requesting participant
does not execute said trade. In some embodiments, the supervision
module may receive from the requesting participant an
acknowledgement of an obligation to execute the trade.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The above and other objects and advantages of the invention
will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed
description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout,
and in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of elements of an illustrative
system in accordance with the principles of the invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of some of the elements shown in
FIG. 1, in greater detail than they are shown in FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing steps of an illustrative process
in accordance with the principles of the invention;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing steps of an illustrative
process, corresponding to a portion of the process shown in FIG. 3,
in accordance with the principles of the invention;
[0018] FIG. 5 shows an illustrative detached public participant
trading view in accordance with the principles of the
invention;
[0019] FIG. 6 shows an illustrative detached BOLS Requester trading
view in accordance with the principles of the invention;
[0020] FIG. 7 shows an illustrative detached BOLS Requester
informational view in accordance with the principles of the
invention;
[0021] FIG. 8 shows another illustrative detached BOLS Requester
informational view in accordance with the principles of the
invention;
[0022] FIG. 8A shows yet another illustrative detached BOLS
Requester informational view in accordance with the principles of
the invention;
[0023] FIG. 9 shows still another illustrative detached BOLS
Requester informational view in accordance with the principles of
the invention;
[0024] FIG. 10 shows another illustrative detached public
participant trading view in accordance with the principles of the
invention;
[0025] FIG. 11 shows an illustrative detached BOLS Responder
trading view, in accordance with the principles of the invention,
that may be provided to an exemplary BOLS Responder designated as
"BOLS Responder A";
[0026] FIG. 12 shows another illustrative detached BOLS Responder
trading view that may be provided to BOLS Responder A in accordance
with the principles of the invention;
[0027] FIG. 13 shows another illustrative detached BOLS Requester
trading view in accordance with the principles of the
invention;
[0028] FIG. 14 shows an illustrative detached BOLS Responder
trading view, in accordance with the principles of the invention,
that may be provided to an exemplary BOLS Responder designated as
"BOLS Responder B";
[0029] FIG. 15 shows the detached BOLS Requester trading view shown
in FIG. 13, in a different state from that shown in FIG. 13;
[0030] FIG. 16 shows an illustrative detached BOLS Responder
trading view, in accordance with the principles of the invention,
that may be provided to an exemplary BOLS Responder designated as
"BOLS Responder C";
[0031] FIG. 17 shows the detached BOLS Requester trading view shown
in FIG. 13, in a different state from that shown in FIG. 13;
[0032] FIG. 18 shows still another illustrative detached BOLS
Requester trading view in accordance with the principles of the
invention;
[0033] FIG. 19 shows the detached BOLS Requester trading view shown
in FIG. 18, in a different state from that shown in FIG. 18.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0034] The invention may provide apparatus and methods for trading
an item and exchanging information between participants in a
trading market or a portion of the market. As used herein, a
"participant" may be a person using a trading system. A
"participant" may be a trading system administrator or an automated
trading system software or hardware module that may transmit or
receive trading data. While a participant is often a terminal
operator or broker acting on behalf of a customer (e.g., a trader),
this is not the only arrangement. For example, a customer may
interact with the system as a participant. Other arrangements are
also possible.
[0035] In particular, the invention may provide apparatus and
methods for executing a trade of at least one item between a
participant who issues a request for a quote on the item
(hereinafter, a "requesting participant") and at least one
participant who responds to the request (hereinafter, a "responsive
participant"). The item may be traded between the requesting
participant and at least one of a first responsive participant and
a second responsive participant. (Unless otherwise specified, for
example by the use of the words "preceding" or "subsequent,"
"first" and "second," as used herein, do not necessarily indicate
chronological order.) The item may be any of a variety of items,
including, without limitation, goods, services, and currency, and
securities. The item may be a fixed-income security, such as United
States Treasury bond, a United Kingdom Gilt, a European Government
Bond, Emerging Market debts instrument, or a non-fixed income
security, such as share of stock.
[0036] The system may include a quote request reception module that
may receive from the requesting participant a request for a quote
for the item. The system may include a quote reception module that
may receive from at least one of the responsive participants a
quote for the item. The system may include a trade supervision
module that may impose a penalty on the requesting participant if
the requesting participant does not execute a trade with a
responsive participant. In some embodiments, the trade supervision
module may receive from the requesting participant an
acknowledgement of an obligation to trade the item with a
responsive participant.
[0037] As used herein, the term "module" may refer to a system
hardware element, a system software element, or an element that
combines both hardware and software. A module may include two or
more elements in different locations. A module may include two or
more elements that are acting at different times. A module may
include two or more software elements that may be executed by
different machines at different times.
[0038] The quote may include a high yield and a low yield, for
example, when the item is a bond. A high yield corresponds to a
bond that has a high yield rate. A low yield corresponds to a bond
that has a low yield rate. The quote may include a high yield. The
quote may include a low yield. Quotes that include only a bid, only
an offer, only a high yield, or only a low yield are one-sided
quotes. The quote may include both a bid and an offer. The bid and
the offer may be proffered, respectively, by a first and a second
responsive participant. Quotes that include both a high yield and a
low yield are two-sided quotes. The quote may include both a high
yield and a low yield. The high and low yields may be proffered,
respectively, by a first and a second participant. Quotes that
include both a bid and an offer are two-sided quotes.
[0039] The request may include a spread value. A spread value may
be a number of units of currency, or fractions thereof, defining a
range. The spread value may be referred to as a "spread." The
spread may correspond to a bid/offer range. The spread may
correspond to a high yield/low yield range. If the system receives,
and communicates to the requesting participant, a two-sided quote
that is within the spread, the requesting participant may be
obligated to trade on at least one side of the two-sided quote.
(Trading on a bid is known as "hitting the bid." Trading on an
offer is known as "lifting the offer." When a bid and an offer are
within the requested spread, they are said to "meet" the
spread.)
[0040] If the system receives, and communicates to the requesting
participant, a bid from one responsive participant and an offer
from another participant and the bid and offer together meet the
spread, the requesting participant may be obligated to hit the bid
or lift the offer. In some embodiments, the request may include a
bid value and an offer value that define a spread.
[0041] If the system receives, and communicates to the requesting
participant, a high yield from one responsive participant and a low
yield from another participant and the high and low yields together
meet the spread, the requesting participant may be obligated to
trade the item at one of the high and low yields.
[0042] For the sake of simplicity, the one-sided quotes described
herein often will be described as including a bid or an offer. It
will be understood, however, that the one-sided quote may include a
high yield or a low yield instead of a bid or an offer. It will be
understood further that a low bid may correspond to a low yield
and, conversely, a high bid may correspond to a high yield.
[0043] In some embodiments, including, without limitation,
embodiments used for trading European Government Bonds, the system
may deny the requesting participant an opportunity to trade with
any responsive participant other than the chronologically first
responsive participant that meets the spread. If the quote is
withdrawn or canceled by the responsive participant, or canceled by
the system, the system may again provide to the requesting
participant an opportunity to trade with a responsive
participant.
[0044] A participant to whom a request for an item is communicated,
but who has not responded, may be referred to as an "observing"
participant. After the system communicates the chronologically
first quote that meets the spread to the requesting participant,
the system may notify at least one observing participant that the
request is satisfied. For example, the system may provide to the
observing participant a dialog box that includes the text, "BOLS
SATISFIED".
[0045] If, after the system notifies the observing participant that
the request is satisfied, the quote is withdrawn or canceled by the
responsive participant, or canceled by the system, the system may
further notify the observing participant that the request is no
longer satisfied. For example, the system may terminate the dialog
box. The system may provide to the observing participant a dialog
box that includes the text, "BOLS NOT SATISFIED". Any suitable
means may be used to notify the observing participant that the
request is satisfied. Any suitable means may be used to notify the
observing participant that the request is not satisfied.
[0046] In some embodiments, the system may include a software
graphical user interface module that may provide to the requesting
participant a control configured to receive from the requesting
participant a "buy" command to execute the trade. In some
embodiments, the interface module may provide to the requesting
participant a control configured to receive from the requesting
participant a "sell" command to execute the trade. In some
embodiments, the interface module may provide both a "buy" control
and a "sell" control. As used herein, a control may be any suitable
graphical user interface feature that the requesting participant
may use to respond to a system prompt, including, without
limitation, a radio button. The requesting participant may click on
the control or may press a key on a keyboard to use the control. In
some embodiments, the interface module may highlight the control on
a display visible to the requesting participant. In some
embodiments, the interface module may highlight one or more
controls. As used herein, a "control" will be understood to
include, without limitation, any graphical user interface feature
that is configured to receive or prompt any input, selection,
mouse-click, key stroke, or any other suitable indication from a
participant. In some embodiments, the interface module may
alternatively highlight a "buy" control and a "sell" control.
[0047] In some embodiments, the system may include a quote display
module that may show the quote on the display. In some of those
embodiments, the supervision module may impose the penalty if the
requesting participant exits said display.
[0048] In some embodiments, the system may include a best-bid
transfer module. When the system receives quotes (for example, from
the first and second responsive participants) that include a first
bid and a second bid, the best-bid transfer module may communicate
to the requesting participant the better of the first bid and the
second bid. The better bid may be the lesser of the first and
second bids. The better bid may be the greater of the first and
second bids.
[0049] In some embodiments, the system may include a best-offer
transfer module. When the system receives quotes (for example, from
the first and second responsive participants) that include a first
offer and a second offer, the best-offer transfer module may
communicate to the requesting participant the better of the first
offer and the second offer. The better offer may be the lesser of
the first and second offers. The better offer may be the greater of
the first and second offers.
[0050] In some embodiments, the supervision module may provide a
warning to the requesting participant. The warning may state that
the penalty will be imposed at the end of a time interval if the
requesting participant does not execute the trade before the end of
the interval.
[0051] In some embodiments, the system may include a quote transfer
module. The quote transfer module may communicate the to requesting
participant a quote proffered by a responsive participant. In some
embodiments, the quote transfer module may communicate the quote to
the requesting participant only if the quote is a two-sided quote
that meets the requested spread. In some embodiments, the quote
transfer module may communicate the quote to the requesting
participant if the quote includes a one-sided quote from the first
responsive participant and a one-sided quote from the second
responsive participant, provided that the two one-sided quotes
include a bid and an offer that, together, meet the requested
spread.
[0052] A quote may include a one-sided quote proffered, by a
responsive participant, in conjunction with a complementary
one-sided quote. For example, if a responsive participant proffers
a two-sided quote that does not meet the spread, the system may
combine one of the one-sided quotes with a one-sided quote from a
different responsive participant to produce a quote that meets the
spread.
[0053] In some embodiments, the quote transfer module may
communicate the quote to the requesting participant only after the
requesting participant acknowledges the obligation to trade.
[0054] In some embodiments, the system may include a min/max size
reception module that may receive from the requesting participant
at least one of a minimum size and a maximum size. The minimum and
maximum sizes define, respectively, the smallest number of items
that the requesting participant is willing to trade and the largest
number of items that the requesting participant is willing to trade
in connection with a request for a quote. For example, the minimum
and maximum sizes may define a range of 1,000 to 2,000 $500 U.S.
Treasury Bonds. In some embodiments, the quote transfer module may
communicate to the requesting participant only quotes that are
designated (for example, by a responsive participant) to correspond
to a number of items that is in the range defined by the minimum
and maximum sizes. When the number of items designated in a quote
is within the range, the quote is said to "meet the size range."
Some embodiments may allow the requesting participant to select a
single size. In those embodiments, only responsive quotes that are
based on the single size will be deemed to meet the size range.
(For the sake of simplicity, when both a bid and an offer, each
meeting the size range, are proffered (by one or more responding
participants) and the bid and offer, together, meet the requested
spread and size range, the bid and offer may form a quote that may
be referred to as a "qualifying" quote.)
[0055] In some embodiments, the obligation of a requesting
participant to trade with a responsive participant does not begin
until the system communicates to the requesting participant a quote
that meets the spread and size range. Some embodiments may allow
the requesting participant to cancel a request at any time before
the system receives a quote that meets the spread and size range.
Some embodiments may allow the requesting participant to cancel a
request at any time before the requesting participant receives a
quote that meets the spread and size range.
[0056] In some embodiments, the system may include a responsive
size reception module that may receive from at least one of the
responsive participants a responsive size. The responsive size may
be designated to define a number of units of the item that the
responsive participant is willing to buy or sell.
[0057] In some embodiments, the penalty may include a fine. In some
embodiments, the fine may be charged to a trading account held by
the requesting participant. The fine may be charged when the
requesting participant executes a subsequent trade. The fine may be
equal to a portion of a market price of the item. The market price
may be valued in any suitable manner.
[0058] In some embodiments, the penalty may be the issuance, on
behalf of the requesting participant, of a system command to
execute the trade. The supervision module may issue the system
command. In some embodiments, the system may issue the system
command no later than at the expiration of a time interval. The
time interval may be defined to have an initial value and to begin
decreasing when the requesting participant issues the request, when
the system receives a responsive two-sided quote, when the system
receives the last of two one-sided quotes that, together, meet the
spread, or at any other suitable time.
[0059] In some embodiments, the system may include a time interval
selection module that may select an attribute of the time interval.
The attribute may include, without limitation, a time interval
initial value or an event, such as the receipt of the request, at
which to begin decreasing the interval. The time interval may be
referred to as the "trading window."
[0060] The system command may include a command to sell the item to
a responsive participant at a penalty price. If the request
includes a bid value, the penalty price may be equal to the bid
value. The penalty price may be less than the bid value. When the
quote includes a bid, the penalty price may be equal to the bid.
The penalty price may be less than the bid.
[0061] The system command may include a command to buy the item
from a responsive participant at a penalty price. If the request
includes an offer value, the penalty price may be equal to the
offer value. The penalty price may be greater than the offer value.
When the quote includes an offer, the penalty price may be equal to
the offer. The penalty price may be greater than the offer. The
system command may include a command to buy the item at a penalty
yield. The penalty yield may be lower than, or equal to, a yield
included in the request. The penalty yield may be lower than, or
equal to, a yield included in the quote.
[0062] In some embodiments, the system may choose between issuing a
"buy" system command and a "sell" system command based on a random
process. Any suitable random process for choosing between the "buy"
and "sell" commands may be used.
[0063] In some embodiments, the supervision module may issue a
first system command and a second system command, both on behalf of
the requesting participant. The first command may include a command
to sell at least one item to the first responsive participant at a
first penalty price. The second command may include a command to
buy at least one item from the second responsive participant at a
second penalty price. The first and second penalty prices may be
defined analogously to the penalty price associated with a system
command issued in connection with a single responsive participant.
In some embodiments, the supervision module may store at least one
penalty price at which the item may be traded. The stored penalty
price may be communicated to the requesting participant before the
requesting participant is obligated to execute the trade.
[0064] In some embodiments, the supervision module may receive from
the requesting participant a default trade command. In those
embodiments, the supervision module may issue the default trade
command as the system command. For example, if the requesting
participant elects a "buy" command as the default trade command,
the supervision module may issue a system command to buy the item,
on behalf of the requesting participant, at a price corresponding
to an offer proffered by a responsive participant if the requesting
participant does not execute the trade.
[0065] A number of features of embodiments according to the present
invention are shown in FIGS. 1-19.
[0066] FIG. 1 shows exemplary system 100 for implementing the
present invention. As illustrated, system 100 may include one or
more workstations 101. Workstations 101 may be local or remote with
respect to server 104 and may connected by one or more
communication links 102 to computer network 103, which may be
linked via communication link 105 to server 104. Server 104 may be
linked via communication link 110 to back office clearing center
112.
[0067] Server 104 may include any suitable server, processor,
computer, data processing device, or combination thereof. Server
104 may include any server suitable for providing access to an
electronic trading system. Server 104 may, for example, provide one
or more pages to workstations 101 using one or more suitable
protocols (e.g., the HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)). The
pages may be defined using, for example, any suitable markup
language (e.g., HyperText Markup Language (HTML), Dynamic HyperText
Markup Language (DHTML), pages defined using the Extensible Markup
Language (XML), JavaServer Pages (JSP), Active Server Pages (ASP),
or any other suitable approaches). The pages may include scripts,
computer code, or subsets of computer code, that define
mini-programs (e.g., Perl scripts, Java applets, Enterprise
JavaBeans (EJB), or any other suitable approaches). The system may
be designed using suitable modular approaches such as, for example,
Java 2 Platform--Enterprise Edition (J2EE), Component Object Model
(COM), Distributed Component Object Model (DCOM), or any other
suitable approach.
[0068] Server 104 may run a database engine suitable for
maintaining a database of market or trading information such as,
for example, Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle 8i, or any other suitable
database engine. Server 104 may run Microsoft Internet Information
Server. In practice, server 104 may be integrated into a single
server, or may be distributed across multiple servers that are
interconnected via computer network 103.
[0069] Server 104 may be used for functions including, without
limitation, receiving requests, responses, and obligation
acceptances from participants, transferring trading information
between participants, comparing and processing trading information
received from participants, and executing trades of items between
participants. Server 104 may also be used to process and settle
executed trades.
[0070] Computer network 103 may include any suitable computer
network including the Internet, an intranet, a wide-area network
(WAN), a local-area network (LAN), a wireless network, a digital
subscriber line (DSL) network, a frame relay network, an
asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network, a virtual private network
(VPN), or any combination of any thereof. Communication links 102
and 105 may be any communications links suitable for communicating
data between workstations 101 and server 104, such as network
links, dial-up links, wireless links, hard-wired links, etc.
[0071] Workstations 101 may include any device or combination of
devices suitable for providing to a participant access to network
103. Workstations 101 include without limitation, personal
computers, laptop computers, hand-held computers, mainframe
computers, dumb terminals, data displays, Internet browsers,
Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), two-way pagers, wireless
terminals, portable telephones, automobile computers, ebooks,
set-top boxes, etc., or any combination thereof. Workstations 101
may be used to enter into trades and transfer information in
connection with the present invention.
[0072] Links 102 may include any transmission media suitable for
providing network access to workstations 101. Each of Links 102 may
include, for example, a dial-up telephone line, a computer network
or Internet link, an infrared link, a radio frequency link, a
satellite link, a digital subscriber line link (e.g., a DSL link),
a cable TV link, a DOCSIS link, or any other suitable transmission
link or suitable combination of such links. Different links 102 may
be of different types depending on, for example, the particular
type of workstations 101.
[0073] Any protocol or protocol stack suitable for supporting
communications between workstations 101 and server 104 over links
102 based on the particular workstations 101 and link 102 may be
used. For example, Ethernet, Token Group, Fiber Distributed Data
Interface (FDDI), Circuit-Switched Cellular (CSC), Cellular Digital
Packet Data (CDPD), RAM mobile data, Global System for Mobile
communications (GSM), time division multiple access (TDMA), code
division multiple access (CDMA), wireless application protocol
(WAP), serial line Internet protocol (SLIP), point to point
protocol (PPP), Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol
(TCP/IP), Sequenced Packet Exchange and Internetwork Packet
Exchange (SPX/FPX) protocols, or any other suitable protocol or
combination of protocols may be used.
[0074] Back office clearing center 112 may be any suitable
equipment, such as a computer, a laptop computer, a mainframe
computer, etc., or any combination of the same, for causing trades
to be cleared and/or verifying that trades are cleared.
Communication link 110 may be any communications links suitable for
communicating data between server 104 and back office clearing
center 112, such as network links, dial-up links, wireless links,
hard-wired links, etc. Link 110 may include any of the features of
links 102.
[0075] FIG. 2 shows server 104, back office clearing center 112,
and one of workstations 101 in more detail. Workstation 101 may
include processor 201, display 202, input device 203 (which may
include, without limitation, a keyboard, a mouse, or any other
suitable input device), and memory 204, which may be
interconnected. Memory 204 may contain a storage device for storing
a workstation program for controlling processor 201. Processor 201
may use the workstation program to present to a participant using
workstation 101 on display 202 trading information including,
without limitation, bids, offers, executed trades, spread market
requests, quotes, obligation acceptances, and trading windows. The
participant may use input device 203 to enter such information, to
enter requests for such information, to modify such information,
and to execute trades.
[0076] Server 104 may include processor 211, display 212, input
device 213, and memory 214, all of which may be interconnected.
Memory 214 may include a storage device for storing trading
information, which may include, without limitation, penalty bid
prices and penalty offer prices. The storage device may include a
server program for controlling processor 211. Processor 211 may use
the server program to transact the purchase and sale of items.
Processor 211 may include calculation processor 215 that may
determine, inter alia, penalty bid prices, penalty offer prices,
the lapse of time during a trading window, the greater or lesser of
multiple bid prices, and the greater or lesser of multiple offer
prices. Processor 211 may include trade processor 216 that executes
and processes trades. Processor 216 may receive a trade command
from a participant. Processor 216 may issue a system command on
behalf of a participant (e.g., a requesting participant).
[0077] Back office clearing center 112 may include processor 221,
display 222, input device 223, and memory 224, all of which may be
interconnected. Memory 224 may contain a storage device for storing
a clearing program for controlling processor 221. Processor 221 may
use the clearing program to clear executed trades, thereby
facilitating the transfer of items resulting from the executed
trades. Clearing executed trades may include exchanging currency
for an item.
[0078] FIGS. 3 and 4 show general flowcharts of illustrative steps
involved in operating some embodiments of the trading system of the
present invention. The steps shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 are only
illustrative and may be performed in any suitable order. In
practice, there may be additional steps or some of the steps may be
deleted. Some of the steps shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 involve providing
participants with opportunities to interact with the system,
performing various processes, or providing various displays. These
and other steps may be performed by, for example, a client
application that is programmed to generate or download screens
suitable to provide such opportunities, an Internet browser that
downloads suitable pages to provide such opportunities, peer
applications, or using any other suitable approach. Workstations
101, for example, may be used to run client-based applications,
such as a web browser.
[0079] Other steps illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 may involve
additional processing, such as searching, grouping, calculating,
generating e-mail, receiving and issuing trading commands,
communicating with other systems, or other types of processing. In
particular, the steps shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 may be implemented
using system 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2. The steps may be performed by,
for example, workstations 101 or server 104, depending on, for
example, the processing and storage capabilities of workstations
101, the chosen implementation for the markup language documents
used, the processing requirements of such operations, or other
factors.
[0080] For clarity, the following discussion will describe the
steps shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 as being performed by "the system,"
which is intended to include any suitable electronic trading
system.
[0081] FIG. 3 shows that process 300 starts at step 304 when a
requesting participant issues a request for a quote for an item or
a number of units of the item.
[0082] At step 308, the system may receive a request for a quote
for the item. The desired number of units of the item may be
designated by a "size." The request may include a bid value. The
request may include an offer value. The request may include a
spread value. The request may include a minimum size. The request
may include a maximum size.
[0083] At step 312, the system may initiate an obligation
enforcement process to ensure that, if a quote meets the spread and
the size range, the requesting participant will buy the item from
or sell the item to the responsive participant. The system may, in
step 312, initiate a process that automatically trades the
instrument between the requesting participant and the responsive
participant if the requesting participant does not do so within a
trading window.
[0084] In step 316, the requesting participant may be provided with
an opportunity to either (a) accept an obligation to trade the item
with a responsive participant who meets the spread and the size
range; or (b) reject the obligation. If the requesting participant
rejects the obligation, process 300 may be terminated at step 320.
If the requesting participant accepts the obligation, the system
may, in step 324, communicate the request to other participants,
who may elect to respond to the request (and thereby become
"responsive" participants).
[0085] At step 330, the system may receive one or more quotes, each
of which may have a corresponding specified size, from responsive
participants. In step 332, the system may communicate the quote and
specified size to the requesting participant. In some embodiments,
the system may receive and communicate subsequent quotes and sizes
by proceeding along path 344 of process 300. In some embodiments,
including, without limitation, embodiments in which European
Government Bonds may be traded, path 344, e.g., may be modified to
deny the requesting participant access to quotes after a quote that
meets the spread and size has been proffered by a responsive
participant. In some embodiments, path 344 may be blocked or
deleted to deny the requesting participant access to quotes after a
quote that meets the spread and size has been proffered by a
responsive participant.
[0086] In step 334, the system may begin decreasing a trading
window if the quote communicated in step 332 qualifies. In some
embodiments, the trading window may begin to decrease before the
system communicates the quote. In some embodiments, the trading
window may begin to decrease at the time the system communicates
the quote. In some embodiments, the trading window may begin to
decrease after the system communicates the quote. The system may
allow the responsive participant to withdraw a proferred quote
before the requesting participant hits or lifts the quote. If a
quote is withdrawn, the system may reset the trading window to an
initial value and resume decreasing the window upon receipt of a
subsequent qualifying quote.
[0087] In some embodiments, the system may communicate quotes and
sizes to the requesting participant in "real time." "Real time"
should be understood to suggest immediacy, subject only to normal
electronic processing delay and interruptions. Whether or not a
participant experiences a significant delay before receiving
information or a response in what the invention contemplates as
real time may depend upon the capabilities of the participants'
workstations, a system server, any intervening computer network, or
the efficiency of communication with any data source external to
the system.
[0088] The system may allow the requesting participant to hit or
lift a quote after the system communicates the quote to the
responsive participant and before the quote is withdrawn by the
responsive participant. If a quote meeting the spread and size
range is received, the system will begin to decrease a trading
window and, in some embodiments, the system may trade the item on
behalf of the requesting participant. A quote that has been
communicated to the requesting participant and has not been
withdrawn or traded may be referred to herein as a "pending"
quote.
[0089] In step 336, the system may determine if the system has
received a trade command from a requesting participant. (The
command to trade may be issued by a mouse-click on a suitable link,
a keyboard stroke or strokes, or by any other suitable mechanism or
method.) The system may receive a trade command to trade the item
based on a quote that meets the spread and size range. The system
may receive a trade command to trade the item based on a quote that
does not meet the spread and size range. If the system determines
in step 336 that the system has received a trade command, the
system may process the trade in step 346 and terminate process 300
in step 350. If the system determines in step 336 that the system
has not received a trade command, the system may proceed to step
342.
[0090] In step 342, the system may determine if a trading window
has expired while a quote that meets the spread and size range was
pending. If so, the system may proceed, in step 354 to issue a
system command to trade the item on behalf of the requesting
participant. The system may then process the trade in step 346 and
terminate process 300 in step 350. If the system determines that a
trading window did not expire while a quote that meets the spread
and size range was pending, the system may revert to step 330 along
path 344 to await receipt of further quotes.
[0091] FIG. 4 shows an overview of exemplary process 400, which may
include steps or groups of steps that correspond to steps 330 to
350 of FIG. 3. Process 400 may begin at step 402, when the system
communicates a first quote to the requesting participant. At step
404, the system may begin a trading window if the first quote
qualifies. At any time after the trading window begins, the system
may check to see if a trading window has expired, as in steps 408,
416, 424, 432, and 440.
[0092] If, in any of steps 408, 416, 424, 432, and 440, the system
determines that a trading window has expired while a qualifying
quote is pending, the system may, in step 448, issue a system
command to trade the item on behalf of the requesting participant.
If the system issues such a command, the system may process the
trade in step 452 and end process 400 in step 456.
[0093] In step 412, the system may wait for and receive a new quote
and size from a responsive participant. In step 420, the system may
screen the quote and size. The system may reject a quote that does
not qualify. The system may accept a portion of a quote (e.g., a
bid or an offer) if the portion meets the spread in conjunction
with a portion of a previously received different quote, even if
another portion cannot be used to meet the spread. The system may
store received quotes and sizes. A quote and size that are
displayed to the requesting participant may be stored and will be
referred to as the "current" quote and size, respectively.
[0094] In step 428, the system may compare a quote and size to
other quotes and sizes, respectively. Thus, when the system has
received more than one quote and size (from one or more responsive
participants), step 428 may allow the system to select which quote
and corresponding size to provide to the requesting participant.
Any suitable scheme may be used to select which quote and
corresponding size to provide to the requesting participant. For
example, the system may provide the most recently received quote
and corresponding size.
[0095] In a first exemplary scheme, the system may be configured to
prioritize size over quote. The system may thus provide a new bid
to the requesting participant if the new bid exceeds a current bid,
provided that the size is the same as the current size.
Analogously, the system may provide a new offer to the requesting
participant only if the new offer is less than a current offer,
provided that the new size is the same as a current size.
[0096] In another exemplary scheme, the system may be configured to
prioritize quote over size. The system may thus provide a new quote
to the requesting participant if the new size exceeds a current
size, provided that the new quote is the same as a current
quote.
[0097] In step 436, the system may provide a selected quote and
size to the requesting participant. In step 444, the system may
receive from the requesting participant a trade command that
commands the system to trade on a current quote and size. If such a
command is received, the system may, in step 452, process the trade
and, in step 456, end process 400. If, in step 444, the system does
not receive such a command, the system may return to step 408.
[0098] FIGS. 5-19 show an illustrative example of a trading process
involving views that may be provided to participants in accordance
with the principles of the invention. As used herein, a view may
include, without limitation, a portion of a web page, one web page,
more than one web page, or any suitable combination thereof. A view
may include a dialog box. As used herein, a frame may be a view or
a portion of a view.
[0099] In the example, the system may receive from a requesting
participant a request for a quote for an item. In this example, the
request for a quote is a "BOLS (Bid/Offer Liquidity Spread)
Request" and the item is a security instrument. The requesting
participant will be referred to as a "BOLS Requester." A responsive
participant will be referred to as a "BOLS Responder." A
participant that has not engaged in a BOLS Request or a BOLS
response process will be referred to as a "public participant." The
system may provide participants with information concerning
"underlying securities markets," which may be markets for
securities that may become the subject of a BOLS Request.
[0100] FIGS. 5-19 show selected types of data entry features (e.g.,
buttons, drop boxes, value selectors), data display features (e.g.,
alphanumeric display boxes and alphanumeric text), and data
manipulation features (e.g., scroll bars) to illustrate features of
some embodiments of the invention. It will be appreciated, however,
that any suitable data entry, data display, and data manipulation
features may be used and that they may be arranged in any suitable
manner in one or more views.
[0101] FIG. 5 shows illustrative trading view 500 which may be
viewed by a public participant. View 500 may include frame 502
which shows information from underlying securities markets that may
include various instrument types 504, which may be available in
sizes 506 at prices 508. Prices 508 may include bids 510 and offers
512. Sizes 506 may be shown in any units, including, without
limitation, tens, hundreds, thousands, or millions. Prices 508 may
be in any suitable currency. For example, representative instrument
520 (of type X) is trading in an underlying market in
representative bid size 530 (50 thousand, e.g.) at bid price 540
($90.62, e.g.) and in representative offer size 532 (10 thousand,
e.g.) at offer price 560 ($90.68, e.g.). Scroll feature 570 may be
present to enable the participant to view other instruments and
corresponding sizes and prices that may be available in the
underlying securities markets. View 500 may include "Propose BOLS"
button 580, by which a public participant may initiate the process
for issuing a request for a BOLS.
[0102] FIG. 6 shows illustrative trading view 600. The system may
provide view 600 to a participant after the participant clicks on
button 580 (shown in FIG. 5). Frame 610 in view 600 may include
underlying securities markets information and may include the
information, or a portion of the information, shown in frame 502
(shown in FIG. 5). View 600 may include frame 620 in which the
participant may select an instrument, size, and spread for which a
BOLS is desired. Frame 620 may include, without limitation,
instrument selector 630, minimum size selector 640, maximum size
selector 650, and spread value selector 660.
[0103] In some embodiments, the system may provide only a
single-size size selector instead of a minimum size selector and a
maximum size selector.
[0104] FIG. 6 shows that the participant may select, for example,
instrument 632 (an X-type instrument), minimum size 642 (50
thousand, e.g.), maximum size 644 (55 thousand, e.g.), and spread
value 662 ($0.05, e.g.). The information in frame 610 may be used
for reference by the participant when the participant is selecting
an instrument, size, and spread for a BOLS Request. Frame 620 may
include "BOLS Request" button 680 to issue a request conforming to
the selections in selectors 630, 640, 650, 660, and 670.
[0105] FIGS. 7-9 show different illustrative views that that the
system may provide to a BOLS Requester to offer the BOLS Requester
an opportunity to cancel a BOLS Request after it is issued (by
clicking on button 680), but before the BOLS Request is provided to
any prospective BOLS Responders.
[0106] FIG. 7 shows illustrative view 700 that the system may
provide to the BOLS Requester to warn the BOLS Requester of an
obligation to trade the instrument designated in the BOLS Request
if a BOLS Requester proffers, within a trading window, a quote that
meets the spread and size range. View 700 may include Warning 720.
Warning 720 may include text 730. Text 730 may state that the
obligation is an obligation to either buy the instrument or sell
the instrument within a trading window if a quote is proffered and
pending (i.e., has not been hit or lifted by the BOLS requester or
withdrawn by the requesting participant who proffered the quote) at
the expiration of the trading window.
[0107] Text 730 may state that at the end of the window, if such a
quote is pending, the system will trade on behalf of the BOLS
Requester. Text 730 may state that the system will trade, on behalf
of the BOLS Requester, by issuing a system command on behalf of the
BOLS Requester. Text 730 may state that the system command will be
a command to sell the instrument to a BOLS Responder. Text 730 may
state that the system command will be a command to buy the
instrument from a BOLS Responder. Text 730 may state that the
system will choose randomly between a system command to buy and a
system command to sell. Text 730 may state that the system will
issue system commands to both sell the instrument to and buy the
instrument (or an instrument of the same type) from one or more
BOLS Responders. Text 730 may state that the system command will
include commands to both sell and buy at a penalty spread. Text 730
may state that the system command will include commands to both
sell and buy at the greater of the requested spread and a penalty
spread. The penalty spread may be selected by the system or an
administrative participant, by a system module, or by any other
suitable means.
[0108] Text 730 may include boxes 735, 740, and 750 for displaying
instrument type 632, minimum size 642 and maximum size 644, and the
length of the trading window, respectively. View 700 may include
any other suitable text, text boxes, or other suitable
features.
[0109] View 700 may include button 760. The BOLS Requester may
click on button 760 to disable Warning 720 in future Requests for
BOLS. If the participant disables Warning 720, the system may
"notify itself" by sending a facsimile of Warning 720 to an
archive. The facsimile may be sent by electronic mail or any other
suitable means. The system may store a report that the participant
disabled Warning 720.
[0110] View 700 may include button 770. Button 770 may be linked to
penalty spread data that may be controlled by the system. For
example, the penalty spread data may be entered by an
administrative participant. The penalty spread data may be stored
in a database and communicated via a server. The participant may
click on button 770 to view penalty spreads associated with
instruments such as instruments 504 (shown in FIG. 5).
[0111] View 700 may include "Continue" button 780. The participant
may click on button 780 to advance the BOLS Request process. View
700 may include "Cancel" button 790. The system may cancel the BOLS
Request process if the participant clicks on button 790.
[0112] FIG. 8 shows illustrative view 800 that the system may
provide to the BOLS Requester to offer the BOLS Requester an
opportunity to enter into an agreement under which the BOLS
Requester is obligated to trade the instrument designated in the
BOLS Request if a responding participant proffers a quote that
meets the spread and size range within a trading window.
[0113] View 800 may include BOLS Request Click Wrap Agreement 820.
Agreement 820 may include text 830. Text 830 may state that,
according to Agreement 820, the BOLS Requester must either buy the
instrument or sell the instrument within a trading window if a
quote is proffered and pending at the end of the trading window.
Text 830 may state that, according to Agreement 820, at the end of
the window, if such a quote is pending, the system will trade on
behalf of the BOLS Requester if the BOLS Requester accepts
Agreement 820. Text 830 may state that, according to Agreement 820,
the system will trade on behalf of the BOLS Requester by issuing a
system command on behalf of the BOLS Requester. Text 830 may state
that, according to Agreement 820, the system command will be a
command to sell the instrument to a BOLS Responder. Text 830 may
state that the system command will be a command to buy the
instrument from a BOLS Responder. Text 830 may state that the
system will choose randomly between a system command to buy and a
system command to sell. Text 830 may state that the system will
issue system commands to both sell the instrument to and buy the
instrument (or an instrument of the same type) from one or more
BOLS Responders. Text 830 may state that the system command will
include commands to both sell and buy at a penalty spread. Text 830
may state that the system command will include commands to both
sell and buy at the greater of the requested spread and a penalty
spread. The penalty spread may be selected by the system or an
administrative participant, by a system module, or by any other
suitable means.
[0114] Text 830 may include boxes 835, 840, and 850 for displaying
instrument type 632, minimum size 642 and maximum size 644, and the
length of the trading window, respectively. View 800 may include
any other suitable text, text boxes, or other suitable
features.
[0115] View 800 may include button 860. The participant may click
on button 860 to disable view 800 in future BOLS Requests. If the
participant disables view 800, the system may "notify itself" by
sending a facsimile of Agreement 820 to an archive. The facsimile
may be sent by electronic mail or any other suitable means. The
system may store a report that the participant disabled view
800.
[0116] View 800 may include button 870. Button 870 may be linked to
penalty spread data that may be controlled by the system. For
example, the penalty spread data may be entered by an
administrative participant. The penalty spread data may be stored
in a database and communicated via a server. The BOLS Requester may
click on button 870 to view penalty spreads associated with
instruments such as instruments 504 (shown in FIG. 5).
[0117] View 800 may include "Accept" button 880. The BOLS Requester
may click on button 880 to accept terms of Agreement 820 and
advance the BOLS Request process. View 800 may include "Cancel"
button 890. The system may cancel the BOLS Request process if the
BOLS Requester clicks on button 890.
[0118] FIG. 8A shows illustrative view 802 that the system may
provide to the BOLS Requester to offer the BOLS Requester an
opportunity to enter into an agreement under which the BOLS
Requester is obligated to trade the instrument designated in the
BOLS Request if a responding participant proffers a quote that
meets the spread and size range within a trading window.
[0119] View 802 may include BOLS Request Click Wrap Agreement 822.
Agreement 822 may include Text 832. Text 832 may state that,
according to Agreement 822, the BOLS Requester must either buy the
instrument or sell the instrument within a trading window if a
quote is proffered and pending at the end of the trading window.
Text 832 may state that, according to Agreement 822, at the end of
the window, if such a quote is pending, the system will fine the
BOLS Requester if the BOLS Requester accepts Agreement 822.
[0120] Text 832 may include boxes 837, 842, and 852 for displaying
instrument type 632, minimum size 642 and maximum size 644, and the
length of the trading window, respectively. View 802 may include
any other suitable text, text boxes, or other suitable
features.
[0121] View 802 may include button 862. The participant may click
on button 862 to disable view 802 in future BOLS Requests. If the
participant disables view 802, the system may "notify itself" by
sending a facsimile of Agreement 822 to an archive. The facsimile
may be sent by electronic mail or any other suitable means. The
system may store a report that the participant disabled view
802.
[0122] View 802 may include "Accept" button 882. The BOLS Requester
may click on button 882 to accept terms of Agreement 822 and
advance the BOLS Request process. View 802 may include "Cancel"
button 892. The system may cancel the BOLS Request process if the
BOLS Requester clicks on button 892.
[0123] FIG. 9 shows illustrative view 900 that the system, in some
embodiments of the invention, may provide to the BOLS Requester to
offer the BOLS Requester an opportunity to enter into an agreement
under which the BOLS Requester is obligated to trade the instrument
designated in the BOLS Request if a responding participant proffers
a quote that meets the spread and size range within a trading
window.
[0124] View 900 may include BOLS Request Click Wrap Agreement 920.
Agreement 920 may include text 930. Text 930 may state that
according to Agreement 920, the BOLS Requester must either buy the
instrument or sell the instrument within a trading window if a
quote is proffered and pending at the end of the trading
window.
[0125] Text 930 may include boxes 935, 940, and 950 for displaying
instrument type 632, minimum size 642 and maximum size 644, and the
length of the trading window, respectively.
[0126] Text 932 may state that the system may buy or sell the
instrument (a one-sided trade), on behalf of the BOLS Requester, at
maximum size 644, if a proffered bid or offer, respectively, is
pending at the termination of the trading window. The system may
provide the BOLS Requester with "Accept (one-sided trade)" button
960. The BOLS Requester may accept terms of Agreement 920 stated in
text 932 by clicking on button 960.
[0127] Text 934 may state that the system may buy or sell the
instrument (a one-sided trade), on behalf of the BOLS Requester, at
maximum size 644, if a proffered bid and a proffered offer,
respectively, are pending at the termination of the window. Text
934 may state that the BOLS Requester may instruct the system to
either buy or sell the instrument, in the event that a bid or an
offer is pending at the termination of the window, by clicking,
respectively, on "Buy (Default)" button 970 or "Sell (Default)"
button 980.
[0128] If the BOLS Requester accepts the terms of Agreement 920,
e.g., by clicking on button 960, and selects one of buttons 970 and
980, the system may advance the BOLS Request process. View 900 may
include "Cancel" button 990. The system may cancel the BOLS Request
process if the BOLS Requester clicks on button 990.
[0129] FIG. 10 shows illustrative detached public participant
trading view 1000 that may include frame 1010 and frame 1020. Frame
1010 may include information from underlying securities markets and
may include the same information and features as frame 610 (shown
in FIG. 6). In some embodiments, view 1000 may be provided to a
public participant after a BOLS Requester has issued a BOLS Request
for a spread market. In some embodiments, view 1000 may be provided
to the public participant only after the system has received from
the BOLS Requester a command to continue, an acceptance of an
obligation to trade, or an instruction for a default trade command,
for example, via a warning, a click wrap agreement, or a
combination thereof, as shown in FIGS. 7-9.
[0130] Frame 1020 may show instrument type 632, minimum size 642,
maximum size 644, and spread value 662, which together may define
the BOLS Request. Time remaining feature 1075 may show the time
remaining in a trading window. Frame 1020 may include "Respond To
BOLS Request" button 1080. The public participant may click on
button 1080 to initiate a process for issuing a quote and size that
are responsive to the BOLS Request.
[0131] FIG. 11 shows illustrative detached BOLS Responder A trading
view 1100, which may be provided in some embodiments to a
representative BOLS Responder, referred to as "BOLS Responder A,"
after BOLS Responder A clicks on button 1080 (shown in FIG. 10).
View 1100 may include frame 1110, which may include information
from the underlying securities markets and may include the same
information and features as frame 610 (shown in FIG. 6).
[0132] View 1100 may include frame 1120, which may be divided into
portions 1122 and 1124. Portion 1122 may show instrument type 632
(X), minimum size 642 (50), maximum size 642 (55), and spread value
662 ($0.05), as selected by the BOLS Requester in view 600 (shown
in FIG. 6). View 1100 may include frame 1124, which may include
size selector 1130, bid selector 1140, and offer selector 1150. In
the example shown in FIG. 11, BOLS Responder A may select size 1152
(50), bid 1142 ($90.64), and offer 1152 ($90.70) using,
respectively, selectors 1130, 1140, and 1150.
[0133] In some embodiments of the invention, the system may provide
a BOLS Responder, such as BOLS Responder A, with two size selectors
instead of single size selector 1150. In those embodiments, a first
size selector may be used to select a size corresponding to a bid
and a second selector may be used to select a size corresponding to
a offer. The system may provide a mechanism for the BOLS Responder
to modify or cancel either or both of the two sizes after the quote
is proffered. In some embodiments, the system may provide a single
size selector, but the size selector may be used by the BOLS
Responder to select two distinct sizes, one corresponding to a bid
and one corresponding to a offer.
[0134] Frame 1124 may include "Bid" button 1160. BOLS Responder A
may click on button 1140 to proffer bid 1142 (in 50 units of X) to
the BOLS Requester. Frame 1124 may include "Offer" button 1170.
BOLS Responder A may click on button 1170 to proffer offer 1152 (in
50 units of X) to the BOLS Requester. Frame 1124 may include
"Two-Sided Quote" button 1180. BOLS Responder A may click on button
1180 to proffer both bid 1142 and offer 1152 (in 50 units of X) to
the BOLS Requester. The system may provide the proffered bid, the
proffered offer, or the proffered size, or any combination thereof,
to the BOLS Requester.
[0135] View 1100 may include time remaining box 1190 to display
time remaining 1192, the amount of time remaining in the trading
window.
[0136] FIG. 12 shows illustrative detached BOLS Responder A Trading
View 1200 that the system may provide to BOLS Responder A after
BOLS Responder A proffers a one- or two-sided quote as shown, for
example, in view 1100 (shown in FIG. 11). View 1200 may include
frame 1210, which may include information from the underlying
securities markets and may include the same information and
features as frame 610 (shown in FIG. 6). View 1200 may include
frame 1220, which may include portions 1222 and 1224. Portion 1222
may include the same BOLS Request information that is included in
portion 1122 of frame 1100 (shown in FIG. 11).
[0137] Portion 1224 may include size 1132, bid 1142, and response
offer 1152 that BOLS Responder A proffered, for example, as shown
in view 1100. Portion 1224 may include, without limitation, one or
more of "Chg Size" button 1230, "Chg Bid" button 1240, "Chg Offer"
button 1250, "Cxl Bid" button 1260, and "Cxl Offer" button 1270.
BOLS Responder A may use one or more of buttons 1230, 1240, 1250,
1260, and 1270, respectively, to change the proffered size, bid, or
offer, or to cancel the proffered bid or offer.
[0138] If BOLS Responder A clicks on one of buttons 1230, 1240, or
1250, the system may provide BOLS Responder A with a view that
includes features similar (or identical) to those shown in portion
1124 of frame 1120 (shown in FIG. 11). BOLS Responder A may use
those features to select one or more of a new size, bid, and offer.
The system may provide the new size, bid, or offer to the BOLS
Requester.
[0139] FIG. 13 shows illustrative detached BOLS Requester trading
view 1300 that the system may provide to the BOLS Requester to
display any responsive quotes that may be proffered. Portion 1310
of view 1300 may be present to show instrument type 632, minimum
size 642, maximum size 644, and spread value 662, selected by the
BOLS Requester in frame 620 of view 600 (shown in FIG. 6). Time
remaining feature 1312 may show the time remaining in the trading
window.
[0140] Portion 1320 of view 1300 may include bid display feature
1330, offer display feature 1340, bid size display feature 1350,
and offer size display feature 1360. In some embodiments, the
system may display any responsive bid in display feature 1330
and/or any responsive offer in display feature 1340, even if the
responsive bid and responsive offer do not meet the requested
spread. In those embodiments, the BOLS Requester may hit a bid or
lift an offer displayed in one (and, in some embodiments, both) of
features 1330 and 1340, even though features 1330 and 1340 do not
display a bid and an offer that meets the requested spread. (I.e.,
the BOLS Requester may elect to trade even if a non-qualifying
two-sided quote is displayed via features 1330 and 1340.)
[0141] In the example shown in FIG. 13, the system does not display
non-qualifying quotes or one-sided quotes. Display features 1330,
1340, 1350, and 1360 show null indicators 1341, 1342, 1343, and
1344, respectively, because bid 1142 and offer 1152 (shown in FIG.
12) form a two-sided quote that does not meet the requested spread
because the difference between bid 1142 and offer 1152 is greater
than spread value 662.
[0142] "Cancel" button 1395 may be present in view 1300 to allow
the BOLS Requester to cancel the BOLS Request before a qualifying
quote is displayed in view 1300. In some embodiments, time
remaining indicator 1312 may display null indicator 1314 until a
qualifying quote is displayed in features 1330 and 1340.
[0143] Portion 1320 of view 1300 may include "Sell" button 1380 and
"Buy" button 1390. BOLS Requester A may click on one or both of
buttons 1380 and 1390 to hit or lift, respectively, any bid or
offer shown in display features 1330 and 1340. In the event that a
null indicator is present in one of the price display features, the
corresponding "Buy" or "Sell" button may be grayed-out or otherwise
inactivated.
[0144] FIG. 14 shows illustrative detached BOLS Responder B trading
view 1400, which may be provided in some embodiments to a
representative responsive participant, referred to as "BOLS
Responder B," after BOLS Responder B clicks on a button such as
1080 (shown in FIG. 10) in a public participant trading view such
as view 1000. View 1400 may include frame 1410, which may include
information from the underlying securities markets and may include
the same information and features as frame 610 (shown in FIG.
6).
[0145] View 1400 may include frame 1420, which may be divided into
portions 1422 and 1424. Portion 1422 may show instrument 632 (X),
minimum size 642 (50), maximum size 644 (55), bid value 662
($90.63), and offer value 672 ($90.68) as selected by the BOLS
Requester in view 600 (shown in FIG. 6). View 1400 may include
frame 1424, which may include size selector 1430, bid selector
1440, and offer selector 1450. In the example shown in FIG. 14,
BOLS Responder B may select size 1452 (50), bid 1442 ($90.63), and
offer 1152 ($90.67) using, respectively, selectors 1430, 1440, and
1450. Frame 1424 may include "Bid" button 1460. BOLS Responder B
may click on button 1440 to proffer bid 1442 (in 50 units of X) to
the BOLS Requester. Frame 1424 may include "Offer" button 1470.
BOLS Responder B may click on button 1470 to proffer offer 1452 (in
50 units of X) to the BOLS Requester. Frame 1424 may include
"Two-Sided Quote" button 1480. BOLS Responder B may click on button
1480 to proffer both bid 1442 and offer 1452 (in 50 units of X) to
the BOLS Requester. The system may provide bid 1442, offer 1452,
size 1432, or any combination thereof, to the BOLS Requester.
[0146] View 1400 may include time remaining box 1490 to display
time remaining 1492, the amount of time remaining in the trading
window.
[0147] The system may, in some embodiments, provide to BOLS
Responder B a detached BOLS Responder B Trading View analogous to
detached BOLS Responder A Trading View 1200 (shown in FIG. 12)
after BOLS Responder B proffers a one- or two-sided quote as done,
for example, in view 1400.
[0148] FIG. 15 shows detached BOLS Requester Trading View 1300
updated (with respect to FIG. 13) to show that the system replaced
null indicators 1341-1344 (shown in FIG. 13) with bid 1142, offer
1452, size 1432, and size 1432 (a second time), respectively. The
system replaced null indicators 1341-1344 because bid 1142 (from
BOLS Responder A) and offer 1452 (from BOLS Requester B) together
meet the spread represented by spread value 662. Sizes 1132 and
1432, corresponding to bid 1142 and offer 1452, respectively, are
also displayed. "Cancel" button 1395 is no longer active (e.g. it
may be grayed-out) because bid 1142 and offer 1452 are pending.
Time remaining feature 1312 shows that, in the example shown, the
trading window, is 10 seconds.
[0149] FIG. 16 shows illustrative detached BOLS Responder C trading
view 1600, which may be provided in some embodiments to a
representative responsive participant, referred to as "BOLS
Responder C," after the participant clicks on a button such as 1080
(shown in FIG. 10) in a public participant trading view such as
view 1000. View 1600 may include frame 1610, which may include
information from the underlying securities market and may include
the same information and features as frame 610 (shown in FIG.
6).
[0150] View 1600 may include frame 1620, which may be divided into
portions 1622 and 1624. Portion 1622 may show instrument type 632
(X), minimum size 642 (50), maximum size 644 (55), and spread value
662 ($0.05), as selected by the BOLS Requester (as shown, for
example, in FIG. 6).
[0151] View 1600 may include frame 1624, which may include size
selector 1630, bid selector 1640, and offer selector 1650. In the
example shown in FIG. 16, BOLS Responder C may select size 1652
(55), bid 1642 ($90.65), and offer 1152 ($90.66) using,
respectively, selectors 1630, 1640, and 1650. Frame 1624 may
include "Bid" button 1660. BOLS Responder C may click on button
1640 to proffer bid 1642 (for 55 units of X) to the BOLS Requester.
Frame 1624 may include "Offer" button 1670. BOLS Responder C may
click on button 1670 to proffer offer 1652 (for 55 units of X) to
the BOLS Requester. Frame 1624 may include "Two-Sided Quote" button
1680. BOLS Responder C may click on button 1680 to proffer both bid
1642 and offer 1652 (for 55 units of X) to the BOLS Requester.
[0152] View 1600 may include time remaining box 1690 to display
time remaining 1692, the amount of time remaining in the trading
window.
[0153] The system may, in some embodiments, provide to BOLS
Responder C a detached BOLS Responder C trading view analogous to
detached BOLS Responder A trading view 1200 (shown in FIG. 12)
after Responder C proffers a one- or two-sided quote as done, for
example, in view 1600.
[0154] FIG. 17 shows detached BOLS Requester Trading View 1300
updated (with respect to FIG. 15) to show that the system replaced
bid 1142, offer 1452, size 1132, and size 1432 with bid 1642, offer
1652, size 1632, and size 1632 (shown in connection with both bid
1642 and offer 1652), respectively.
[0155] The system replaced bid 1142 and offer 1452 with bid 1642
and offer 1652, respectively, because bid 1642 and offer 1652 are
deemed, in this example, to be more favorable to the BOLS Requester
than bid 1142 and offer 1452. The system replaced sizes 1132 and
1432 with size 1632, which corresponds to both bid 1642 and offer
1652. In some embodiments of the invention, the system may update
view 1300, as new prices and corresponding sizes are offered,
without selecting bids, offers, or sizes that are deemed favorable
to the BOLS Requester.
[0156] Time remaining feature 1312 shows that, at the stage of
example shown in FIG. 17, 6 seconds remain in the trading
window.
[0157] FIG. 18 shows illustrative detached BOLS Requester trading
view 1800 that the system may provide to the BOLS Requester after a
qualifying quote and size or sizes are proferred by a BOLS
Responder (or by two BOLS responders that each proffer a one-sided
quote with which the system forms a qualifying quote). View 1800
may include features and display information that are similar to
the features of view 1300 (shown in FIG. 13) and the information
displayed in view 1300. (Features 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, and 1812
may correspond to features 1330, 1340, 1350, 1360, and 1312,
respectively, and view 1800 may show, for example, instrument type
632, minimum size 642, maximum size 644, spread value 662, bid
1642, offer 1652, and size 1632, as shown in FIG. 17, view
1700.)
[0158] View 1800 may include "Sell" button 1880 and "Buy" button
1890. The system may alternately highlight or illuminate (or
otherwise emphasize) buttons 1880 and 1890. When the time shown in
time remaining feature 1812 diminishes to zero, the system may
issue a command to sell or buy 55 units of an instrument, such as
instrument 632 (X), on behalf of the BOLS Requester. The instrument
may be sold if "Sell" button 1880 is highlighted when time
remaining feature 1812 reaches "0". The instrument may be bought if
"Buy" button 1890 is highlighted when time remaining feature 1812
reaches "0". FIG. 18 shows view 1800 with 6 seconds showing in time
remaining feature 1812 and with "sell" button 1880 in a highlighted
state.
[0159] The system may issue a command to sell or buy an instrument,
such as instrument 632 (X), on behalf of the BOLS Requester if the
BOLS Requester terminates view 1800 (for example, by clicking on
exit feature 1892) while a quote, such as one or more of bid 1642
and offer 1652 is pending during the trading window. View 1800 may
include Warning 1895 that may warn the BOLS Requester that if the
BOLS Requester exits view 1800, the trading system may trade item
632 on behalf of the BOLS Requester. View 1800 may provide the BOLS
Requester with no control, such as a "Cancel" button, that the BOLS
Requester may use to cancel a BOLS Request (as issued by the BOLS
Requester, e.g., using view 600, shown in FIG. 6).
[0160] FIG. 19 shows view 1800, with 5 seconds showing in time
remaining feature 1812, in a different state than that shown in
FIG. 18. In FIG. 19, "Buy" button 1890 is shown in a highlighted
state and "Sell" button 1880 is shown in a non-highlighted
state.
[0161] Thus it is seen that systems and methods for enforcing an
obligation of a requesting participant to buy or sell on a quote
that meets a requested spread have been provided. One skilled in
the art will appreciate that the present invention can be practiced
by other than the described embodiments, which are presented for
purposes of illustration and not of limitation, and the present
invention is limited only by the claims which follow.
* * * * *