Abstract:
The present invention provides an apparatus and method of determining and displaying trading trends for an investment underlying one or more options wherein an opening value and a closing value for the underlying investment for two or more time intervals is obtained. An opening value trend using a market trend indicator and the opening values for the investment is calculated, and a closing value trend using the market trend indicator and the closing values for the underlying investment is calculated. A visual indicator comparing the opening value trend to the closing value trend for the underlying investment is then displayed. This method may be incorporated into a computer program embodied in a computer readable medium using code segments to accomplish the method described above.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM  
       [0001]    This patent application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/888,040 filed on Jun. 22, 2001, which is a U.S. non-provisional patent application of U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 60/213,576 filed on Jun. 22, 2000. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates in general to the field of investment software and more particularly to an apparatus and method for providing a visual display of a two-line cross-over method signaling buying and selling opportunities of stock options and accompanying trading strategies.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    With the advent of electronic trading, it is more critical than ever to make appropriate entry and exit decisions quickly to maximize profits while minimizing losses. This is especially true with options trading. The options investor can be easily overwhelmed by the vast amount of information about particular options within an underlying equity, the equity itself, and the multiple calculations and formulations within various options trading strategies. In addition, when investors trade the live market without any trend indication relative to the stock or option being traded, they are not trading with the trend. As each option has a particular strike price and an expiration date, timing is critical in determining an investor&#39;s success. Although not every equity holds options, there may be multiple options available within an optionable stock. Without the proper tools, an investor may spend many hours of time calculating which of these options and strategies offer greater leverage and risk/reward ratio.  
           [0004]    There is, therefore, a need for an apparatus and method to analyze market data and develop trade information, which reduces the risk and loss for the investor. There is also a need for an apparatus and method to provide the investor with greater order entry/exit guidance than might be received through a broker, through the investor&#39;s own mathematical calculations, or through monitoring the raw market data.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    The present invention related to investment software and provides an apparatus and method for displaying trading trends and performing options calculations. Such an apparatus and method can be used, for example, to display signals for buying and selling opportunities of stock options. The present invention can be used by anyone interested in investments, such as individual investors, investment brokers and mutual fund managers. As a result, the present invention provides an apparatus and method for minimizing risk when trading in the market, displaying investment movement and trends, and identifying investments that have a specific trend.  
           [0006]    The present invention can be used to analyze market data and develop trade information, which reduces the risk and loss for the investor. Thus, traders of stock options can manage their investment portfolios from their home, office or location of their choice. By providing them with greater order entry/exit guidance than might be received through a broker or through calculating or monitoring their own raw data, the present invention enables the trader to make better trade decisions because it is easier to track the performance of the stock option and underlying equity.  
           [0007]    In addition, the present invention extrapolates trade trends in a selected investment and provides the investor with current price information, trade trends, trade indicators, fundamental information relative to the stock option, Bullish, Bearish and Neutral strategies, and active trade information. The investor can watch for an intersection cross of the trade trends and, guided by colors, take the appropriate action. For example, the color green may indicate that the price of the selected investment is going up and signal the investor that it is time to buy a call or sell a put. Conversely, the color red may indicate that the price is going down and signal the investor that it is time to sell a call or buy a put. Other colors can be used. The present invention also shows the number of options contracts, the strike price, and the last active price per share of the underlying security. Trade indicators with time intervals (short-term, mid-term and long-term) are also color coded. These time intervals allow the investor to monitor the time to best apply the trade.  
           [0008]    The present invention allows the investor to access market information or trade data via Internet web sites, dial-up and other network connections and enter the symbol for a security to view a two-line crossover chart indicating the trend of the stock. Based upon the chart, the investor selects various strategies which display data indicating desirable trade opportunities. Locating and identifying these trend friendly trades reduces risk. The present invention will also alert the investor when an exit of an investment should occur.  
           [0009]    The present invention provides an apparatus for determining and displaying trading trends for an investment underlying one or more options having a computer and a display. The computer is communicably connected to a market information source, and the display is communicably connected to the computer. The computer receives an opening value and a closing value for the underlying investment for two or more time intervals from the market information source, calculates an opening value trend using a market trend indicator and the opening values for the underlying investment, calculates a closing value trend using the market trend indicator and the closing values for the underlying investment, and displays a visual indicator comparing the opening value trend to the closing value trend for the underlying investment on the display.  
           [0010]    In addition, the present invention provides a method of determining and displaying trading trends for an investment underlying one or more options. Market information is obtained for the underlying investment for two or more time intervals. An opening value trend is calculated using a market trend indicator and the opening values for the underlying investment. A closing value trend is also calculated using the market trend indicator and the closing values for the underlying investment. Thereafter, a visual indicator is displayed comparing the opening value trend to the closing value trend for the underlying investment. This method may be incorporated into a computer program embodied in a computer readable medium using code segments to accomplish the method described above.  
           [0011]    Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    For a more complete understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention, reference is now made to the detailed description of the invention along with the accompanying figures in which corresponding numerals in the different figures refer to corresponding parts in which:  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the possible interaction between data systems in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the data update process in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 is the Overview Screen in Overview Mode in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 is the Overview Screen in Trading Mode in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 5 is the Chart Screen in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 6 is the Search Screen in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 7 is the Gainers/Losers Screen in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 8A is a flowchart illustrating the application start-up and processing flow for the Overview Screen in Overview Mode in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 8B is a flowchart illustrating the processing flow for the Overview Screen in Trading Mode in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 8C is a flowchart illustrating the processing flow for the Chart Screen in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 8D is a flowchart illustrating the processing flow for the Search Screen in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 8E is a flowchart illustrating the processing flow for the Gainers/Losers Screen in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 9 is the Trading Screen in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 10 is the Trade Vault Screen in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 11 is the Overview Screen in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 12 is the Parameters Screen in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 13 is the Gainers/Losers Screen in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 14 is an Initial Screen in accordance with an options embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 15 is the Strategies Screen in accordance with an options embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 16 is a Trading Buddy Screen in accordance with an options embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 17 is a Parameters Screen in accordance with an options embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIGS. 18, 19 and  20  are various Buy/Sell Pressure Indicator Screens in accordance with an options embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0035]    FIGS.  21 - 35  are some of the specific strategy data screens in accordance with an options embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 36A is a flowchart illustrating the application start-up and processing flow in accordance with an options embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 36B is a flowchart illustrating the processing flow for the Buy/Sell Pressure Indicator Screens in accordance with an options embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 36C is a flowchart illustrating the processing flow for the Specific Strategy Data Screen in accordance with an options embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0039]    It should be understood that the principles and applications disclosed herein can be applied to a wide range of trading scenarios, such as stocks, bonds and commodities. For purposes of explanation and illustration, the present invention is hereafter described in reference to the management of investment portfolios. The present invention related to investment software and provides an apparatus and method for displaying trading trends and performing options calculations. Such an apparatus and method can be used, for example, to display signals for buying and selling opportunities of stock options. The present invention can be used by anyone interested in investments, such as individual investors, investment brokers and mutual fund managers. As a result, the present invention provides an apparatus and method for minimizing risk when trading in the market, displaying investment movement and trends, and identifying investments that have a specific trend.  
         [0040]    The present invention can be used to analyze market data and develop trade information, which reduces the risk and loss for the investor. Thus, traders of stock options can manage their investment portfolios from their home, office or location of their choice. By providing them with greater order entry/exit guidance than might be received through a broker or through calculating or monitoring their own raw data, the present invention enables the trader to make better trade decisions because it is easier to track the performance of the stock option and underlying equity.  
         [0041]    In addition, the present invention extrapolates trade trends in a selected investment and provides the investor with current price information, trade trends, trade indicators, fundamental information relative to the stock option, Bullish, Bearish and Neutral strategies, and active trade information. The investor can watch for an intersection cross of the trade trends and, guided by colors, take the appropriate action. For example, the color green may indicate that the price of the selected investment is going up and signal the investor that it is time to buy a call or sell a put. Conversely, the color red may indicate that the price is going down and signal the investor that it is time to sell a call or buy a put. Other colors can be used. The present invention also shows the number of options contracts, the strike price, and the last active price per share of the underlying security. Trade indicators with time intervals (short-term, mid-term and long-term) are also color coded. These time intervals allow the investor to monitor the time to best apply the trade.  
         [0042]    The present invention allows the investor to access market information or trade data via Internet web sites, dial-up and other network connections and enter the symbol for a security to view a two-line crossover chart indicating the trend of the stock. Based upon the chart, the investor selects various strategies which display data indicating desirable trade opportunities. Locating and identifying these trend friendly trades reduces risk. The present invention will also alert the investor when an exit of an investment should occur.  
         [0043]    Now referring to FIG. 1, a block diagram illustrating the possible interaction between data systems in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown. Investors  150 ,  152 ,  154 ,  156 ,  158  and  160  interact with the various investment markets (Stocks)  120 , (Bonds)  125  and (Commodities)  130  via network  110 , which may comprise any typical communications network such as telephone, Internet, satellite or any combination thereof. Access to the market information sources or markets  120 ,  125  and  130  can be achieved through a service specific to each market, or through a third-party server that will allow access to one or more of the markets  120 ,  125  or  130 . Investors  150 ,  152 ,  154 ,  156 ,  158  and  160  can access the network  110  using a personal computer, workstation or laptop computer. The present invention can be implemented as an application on each investor&#39;s computer  150 - 160 , or as a server-based application accessible by investors  150 - 160  via a network or other communications link. The number of investors  150 ,  152 ,  154 ,  156 ,  158  and  160  shown in FIG. 1 is simply representative and does not indicate a limitation on the number of investors that may use the present invention at a given time. Nor is the number of investment types or markets  120 ,  125  and  130  intended to limit the number or types of investments that may analyzed with the present invention.  
         [0044]    In one method of accessing the present invention, a personal computer  150 - 160  equipped with a modem can be used to obtain this data from the market information source or market  120 ,  125  and  130  via the network  110  at a fee for the exchange in a manner well known in the art. A subscription to a real-time or near-real-time investment reporting system is needed. An example of such a system is PCQuote, which interfaces with the Taltrade ActiveX components. The Taltrade components execute Taltrade Query Language (TQL) commands. These commands retrieve investment information from the markets in real-time. The present invention can use data from multiple sources. The minimum system requirements for a personal computer would be Windows 98/ME/2000/XP/NT 4.0 (Service Pack 3), 64 MB RAM, CD-ROM, 25 MB available hard drive space, an Internet connection and Level I or Level II data feed. The preferred system requirements for a personal computer would be Windows XP, 128 MB RAM, CD-ROM, 25 MB available hard drive space and a high speed Internet connection such as: ISDN, DSL, T1, T3 or cable; or better.  
         [0045]    Referring now to FIG. 2, a flowchart illustrating the data update process in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The present invention starts in block  202  where the investor  150 - 160  (FIG. 1) selects one or more markets  120 ,  125  or  130  (FIG. 1) to connect to. The specific servers that may be connected to and the details regarding the connection to be established are typically setup during the installation process of the software. The investor  150 - 160  (FIG. 1) can change, add or delete available connections and/or markets. Next, the present invention prompts the investor to log-on to a server, which preferably supplies investment information updates in real-time or near-real-time  204 . At this point, the present invention downloads investment information in block  206 . The download can be performed in a variety of ways. For example, the data may be requested on a regularly scheduled basis, such as every 10 seconds, or in response to the occurrence of some selected event, such as a mouse click. Alternatively, the data may be sent from the market  120 ,  125 ,  130  (FIG. 1) or other data source to the investor  150 - 160  (FIG. 1) on a regularly scheduled basis or in response to the occurrence of some selected event, such as a change in the data. In one embodiment, the data is acquired by executing TQL (Taltrade Query Language) commands through the Taltrade ActiveX components. These commands are executed on a regular basis by two application timer controls  210  and  220 , which send TQL requests to the server at regular intervals via Taltrade controls  212  and  222 . Taltrade controls  214  and  224  receive the results from the TQL queries. The results are preferably returned from Taltrade servers in an asynchronous manner. That is, the requests do not have to wait on the returned data. Window events are fired when the results are returned. The present invention then processes the received data  250 , which is used to update the stored pricing and volume data  260 . Historical data that is retrieved from the Taltrade server is also used to update the stored data  260 .  
         [0046]    It is beneficial for the investor to be aware of the time at the market location because trading cannot occur prior to the opening of a given market nor after its close. Therefore, a way to notify the investor of the given market&#39;s opening and to warn the investor of the given market&#39;s impending close also improves the investor&#39;s ability to make trade decision. In a preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2, application timer  230  monitors the time at the market location  232  in order to notify the investor of the opening of the market Setpoint  234  and at several intervals approaching the close of the market Setpoints  236 ,  238 ,  240  and  242 . If the time at the market location  232  equals the time in any of Setpoints  234 ,  236 ,  238 ,  240  and  242 , the investor is notified  244 . For example, the opening of the market Setpoint  234  could be 10 a.m., while the intervals approaching the close of the market Setpoints  236 ,  238 ,  240  and  242  could be 3:30 p.m., 3:45 p.m., 3:55 p.m. and close at 4 p.m., respectively.  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 3 is the Overview Screen  300  in Overview Mode in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The Overview Screen  300  enables the investor to recognize trends and directional movements. This screen is visible most of the time. Overview Screen  300  contains information about several selected investments  310 ,  320 ,  330 ,  340  and  350 . In this example, investment  310  is Cisco,  320  is I 2 ,  330  is Intel,  340  is Ebay and  350  is Microsoft. Color coded indicators  310   a - 310   h ,  320   a - 320   h ,  330   a - 330   h ,  340   a - 340   h  and  350   a - 350   h  are displayed for each of the selected investments  310 ,  320 ,  330 ,  340  and  350 . These indicators are preferably laid out in a grid fashion, but can be otherwise configured. Each indicator  310   a - 310   h ,  320   a - 320   h ,  330   a - 330   h ,  340   a - 340   h  and  350   a - 350   h  represents information for an associated single investment. Each indicator  310   a - 310   h ,  320   a - 320   h ,  330   a - 330   h ,  340   a - 340   h  and  350   a - 350   h  displays the chosen time interval for that indicator. Time intervals may be in minutes, hours, days, weeks or months. In the example shown, the time interval for indicators  310   a ,  320   a ,  330   a ,  340   a  and  350   a  is one minute; the time interval for indicators  310   b ,  320   b ,  330   b ,  340   b  and  350   b  is five minutes; the time interval for indicators  310   c ,  320   c ,  330   c ,  340   c  and  350   c  is fifteen minutes; the time interval for indicators  310   d ,  320   d ,  330   d ,  340   d  and  350   d  is thirty minutes; the time interval for indicators  310   e ,  320   e ,  330   e ,  340   e  and  350   e  is sixty minutes; the time interval for indicators  310   f ,  320   f ,  330   f ,  340   f  and  350   f  is one day; the time interval for indicators  310   g ,  320   g ,  330   g ,  340   g  and  350   g  is one week; and the time interval for indicators  310   h ,  320   h ,  330   h ,  340   h  and  350   h  is one month.  
         [0048]    As will be described below in reference to FIG. 5, the present invention uses a regression analysis to calculate an opening value trend and a closing value trend for each of the time intervals for each of the investments  310 ,  320 ,  330 ,  340  and  350 . The color of the indicators  310   a - h ,  320   a - h ,  330   a - h ,  340   a - h  and  350   a - h  is based on a comparison of the opening value trend to the closing value trend for each time interval for each investment  310 ,  320 ,  330 ,  340  and  350 , and whether a long trade  314   a ,  324   a ,  334   a ,  344   a  and  354   a  or short trade  314   b ,  324   b ,  334   b ,  344   b  and  354   b  has been selected. If a long trade  314   a ,  324   a ,  334   a ,  344   a  and  354   a  is selected, the indicators  310   a - h ,  320   a - h ,  330   a - h ,  340   a - h  and  350   a - h  will be a first color when the closing value trend is greater than the opening value trend for each time interval for each investment  310 ,  320 ,  330 ,  340  and  350 , and a second color when the closing value trend is less than the opening value trend for each time interval for each investment  310 ,  320 ,  330 ,  340  and  350 . For example, indicators  310   a ,  310   b ,  310   c ,  310   e ,  310   f ,  310   g ,  310   h ,  320   a ,  320   b ,  320   c ,  320   d ,  320   f ,  320   g ,  320   h ,  330   a ,  330   f ,  330   g ,  330   h ,  340   a ,  340   d ,  340   h ,  350   a ,  350   b  and  350   g  are green in FIG. 3 indicating favorable trading conditions for investments  310 ,  320 ,  330 ,  340  and  350  within the specified time intervals. Indicators  310   d ,  320   e ,  330   b ,  330   c ,  330   d ,  330   e ,  340   b ,  340   c ,  340   e ,  340   f ,  340   g ,  350   c ,  350   d ,  350   e ,  350   f  and  350   h  are red in FIG. 3 indicating unfavorable trading conditions for investments  310 ,  320 ,  330 ,  340  and  350  within the specified time intervals. If, however, a short trade  314   b ,  324   b ,  334   b ,  344   b  and  354   b  is selected, the indicators  310   a - h ,  320   a - h ,  330   a - h ,  340   a - h  and  350   a - h  will be the first color when the closing value trend is less than the opening value trend for each time interval for each investment  310 ,  320 ,  330 ,  340  and  350 , and the second color when the closing value trend is greater than the opening value trend for each time interval for each investment  310 ,  320 ,  330 ,  340  and  350 . Other colors may be used as the first color or the second color.  
         [0049]    DOW current totals  360  and  365  and NASDAQ current totals  370  and  375  are also displayed. Chart buttons  312   a ,  322   a ,  332   a ,  342   a  and  352   a  display charts for an associated single investment. For example, chart button  312   a  displays charts for investment  310 . Change buttons  312   b ,  322   b ,  332   b ,  342   b  and  352   b  enable the investor to change the associated investment. For example, change button  312   b  changes investment  310 . Buttons  380 ,  385 ,  390  and  395  enable the investor to navigate through the application screens. This strip of buttons is repeated on each screen and has identical functionality on each screen. For example, selecting button  385  from any screen will take the investor to Search Screen  600  (FIG. 6).  
         [0050]    The investor is able to “paper trade” (simulate trading) through Overview Screen  300  by changing to Trading Mode by selecting button  390 . FIG. 4, Overview Screen  400  in Trading mode, activates in response to the investor&#39;s selection of button  390  (FIG. 3). The elements of Overview Screen  300  (FIG. 3) are decreased in size and pricing and volume information  415   a - i ,  425   a - i ,  435   a - i ,  445   a - i  and  455   a - i  for each associated investment  410 ,  420 ,  430 ,  440  and  450  is added. For example, pricing and volume information  415   a - i  associated with investment  310  is added. Overview Screen  400  in Trading mode displays data such as the last price  415   a ,  425   a ,  435   a ,  445   a  and  455   a , the dollar amount up or down per investment  415   b ,  425   b ,  435   b ,  445   b  and  455   b , the bid price  415   c ,  425   c ,  435   c ,  445   c  and  455   c , the ask price  415   d ,  425   d ,  435   d ,  445   d  and  455   d , the volume  415   e ,  425   e ,  435   e ,  445   e  and  455   e  and the closing price  415   f ,  425   f ,  435   f ,  445   f  and  455   f  for each investment  410 ,  420 ,  430 ,  440  and  450 . The dollar amount up or down per investment  415   b ,  425   b ,  435   b ,  445   b  and  455   b  is displayed with color-coding: green may represent a gain, red may represent a loss, while white may represent either no change or no data. Other color combinations can be used.  
         [0051]    To simulate trading, the investor enters execute price (Exe)  415   g ,  425   g ,  435   g ,  445   g  and  455   g  and the amount of an investment bought or shorted (Shr)  415   h ,  425   h ,  435   h ,  445   h  and  455   h  for an associated investment  410 ,  420 ,  430 ,  440  and  450 . For example, Exe  415   g  and Shr  315   h  are associated with investment  410 . The investor chooses from Long or Short on the paper trades for an associated investment  410 ,  420 ,  430 ,  440  and  450  by selecting a Long button  412   a ,  422   a ,  432   a ,  442   a  and  452   a  or a Short button  412   b ,  422   b ,  432   b ,  442   b  and  452   b  for that investment. For example, Long button  412   a  and Short button  412   b  are associated with investment  410 . The results of the simulation are shown in P/L  415   i ,  425   i ,  435   i ,  445   i  and  455   i  for an associated investment  410 ,  420 ,  430 ,  440  and  450 . For example, the results of a trading simulation for investment  410  are displayed in P/L  415   i . The results are displayed with color-coding: green may represent a gain, red may represent a loss, while white may represent either no change or no data. Other color combinations can be used. “Paper Trading” information is not carried over from session to session and is lost when the investor terminates the program. By allowing the investor to practice trading in a live market environment without risking capital, the present invention enables equity tracking for year to date, month to date and specified periods of time.  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 5, Chart Screen  500 , activates in response to the investor&#39;s selection of chart buttons  312   a ,  322   a ,  332   a ,  342   a  and  352   a  (FIG. 3). The selection of a specific chart button determines for which investment  310 ,  320 ,  330 ,  340  and  350  (FIG. 3) charts will be displayed. For example, selecting chart button  312   a  (FIG. 3) results in the display of charted data for investment  310  (FIG. 3). The selected investment appears on Chart Screen  500  as  510 . A preferred embodiment of the present invention includes the display of updated pricing and volume information  515  and two charts  520  and  530  for investment  510 . DOW current totals  560  and  565  and NASDAQ current totals  570  and  575  are also displayed. Chart  520  is the multiple linear regression chart (MLR). Chart  530  is the Volume chart. MLR Chart  520  displays two regression lines  540  and  550 , one color coded to indicate opening prices and the other color coded to indicate closing prices. The present invention preferably uses red to indicate opening prices and green to indicate closing prices. Other colors can be used. For purposes of simplification, the following discussion assumes that regression line  540  is red and regression line  550  is green.  
         [0053]    Chart interval  580  represents a period of time, which is established by selecting a time interval button  582 ,  584 ,  586 ,  588 ,  590 ,  592 ,  594  and  596 . Any position on the green regression line  550  represents a regression of a prior number of period&#39;s closing prices. This regression analysis builds and displays a trend of the closing prices of the investment  510  over a period of time. Any position on the red regression line  540  represents a regression of a prior number of period&#39;s opening prices. This regression analysis builds and displays a trend of the opening prices of the investment over a period of time. When the green regression line  550  is above the red regression line  540  on the chart, favorable conditions for a long trade occur. When the red regression line  540  is above the green regression line  550  on the chart, favorable conditions for a short trade occur. A critical point occurs where the red regression line  540  and the green regression line  550  cross. When the red regression line  540  crosses the green regression line  550  and ascends above the green regression line  550 , the associated time interval indicator  581 - 588  will become red. When the green regression line  550  crosses the red regression line  540  and ascends above the red regression line  540 , the associated time interval indicator  581 - 588  will become green. These color changes will also occur on indicators  310   a - 310   h ,  320   a - 320   h ,  330   a - 330   h ,  340   a - 340   h  and  350   a - 350   h  (FIG. 3) for the associated investment. There is a separate chart associated with each time interval indicator  582 ,  584 ,  586 ,  588 ,  590 ,  592 ,  594  and  596 . As the present invention updates the calculations and the indicators change, the investor can be notified via audible or visual alerts. The present invention can also sent electronic notifications to the investor.  
         [0054]    Regression algorithms are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The MLR algorithms calculate the red regression line  540  and the green regression line  550  on MLR regression Chart  520 . There is a separate regression routine for each time interval indicator  582 ,  584 ,  586 ,  588 ,  590 ,  592 ,  594  and  596 . Each routine performs regression analysis on the pricing history for all selected investments  310 ,  320 ,  330 ,  340  and  350  (FIG. 3). There are two regression calculations performed. One is performed on a number of prior consecutive interval closing prices, such as four (4) prior 5-minute interval closing prices. The other regression is performed on a number of prior interval opening prices, such as three (3) prior 5-minute interval opening prices. The current interval&#39;s opening price is not included in this calculation. The regression performed on the closing prices is displayed on MLR Chart  520  as the green regression line  550 . The regression performed on the opening prices is displayed on MLR Chart  520  as the red regression line  540 . The present invention indicates an entry point in the market by the intersection of the green regression line  550  and the red regression line  540 .  
         [0055]    The investor may obtain more detailed information concerning a specific point along either the green regression line  550  or the red regression line  540  by clicking on the line at the desired point. The present invention will display Infolist  555  containing information about the selected point.  
         [0056]    MLR Chart  520  and Volume Chart  530  are only representative of the market trend indicators and analyses available. The selection of multiple linear regression and volume analyses for a preferred embodiment of the present invention does not indicate that the present invention is limited to only those market trend indicators. There are many market trend indicators that the investor can consult to make better trade decisions, such as the following: stochastics, relative strength, directional movement, commodity channel, simple average, exponential average weighted average, MACD (simple), MACD (exponential), momentum/ROC, midrange, William&#39;s %R, parabolic stop, volatility stop, trailing stop, high low stop, Bollinger Bands, Keltner Channel, uniform channel, regression channel, swing lines, cycle forecast, on balance volume, overlay chart, point &amp; figure, moving average, moving linear regression, upper envelope, lower envelope, %K, %D, %D slow, %D averaged, %R, RSI, momentum, acceleration, moving average oscillator, moving average momentum, moving average convergence-divergence oscillator, moving average convergence-divergence, MACD signal line, commodity channel index, rate of change in prices, on balance volume variance, standard deviation, volatility ratio, volatility, skew, kurtosis, Williams Accumulated Distribution, Arm&#39;s Ease of Movement, plus directional indicator, minus directional indicator, directional movement and average directional movement.  
         [0057]    [0057]FIG. 6, Search Screen  600 , activates in response to the investor&#39;s selection of button  385  (FIG. 3). It displays the search parameters of Price Min  642 , Price Max  644 , Volume  646  and Spread  648 . These parameters are important to prevent the system from identifying unqualified trade opportunities. The investor can create a custom list  650  of investments, which is kept from session to session. This is done by adding an investment to custom list  650  via Add  654 , deleting an investment from custom list  650  via Delete  652  or deleting all the investments on custom list  650  via Delete All  656 . The present invention enables the investor to identify and restrict investment price ranges above Price Min  642  and below Price Max  644  and indicate the Volume  646  minimum within the search engine parameters. The investor can input a maximum Spread  648  and the system will not identify any trade opportunity that exceeds maximum Spread  648 . The search is activated by selecting Apply  658 . The investor may also set units  626 ,  628 ,  630 ,  632 ,  634 ,  636 ,  638  and  640  and time  610 ,  612 ,  614 ,  616 ,  618 ,  620 ,  622  and  624  interval settings for the button indicators illustrated on the preceding figures. These changes are completed by selecting Apply  658 . DOW current totals  660  and  665  and NASDAQ current totals  670  and  675  are also displayed.  
         [0058]    [0058]FIG. 7, Gainers/Losers Screen  700 , activates in response to the investor&#39;s selection of button  380  (FIG. 3). The Gainers/Losers Screen  700  displays the investor&#39;s most active trading investments  710 , the investor&#39;s highest gaining investments  720  and the investor&#39;s highest losing investments  730 . The investor can sort investments by point  740  and  745  or percentage  750  and  755 . DOW current totals  760  and  765  and NASDAQ current totals  770  and  775  are also displayed.  
         [0059]    FIGS.  8 A- 8 E display the processing flows for the options of screens FIGS.  3 - 7 . Application Navigation  900  is the same in each of the system screens. Selecting View Gainers/Losers Screen  910  results in the display of FIG. 7, enabling its associated processing of FIG. 8E. Selecting View Search Screen  920  results in the display of FIG. 6, enabling its associated processing of FIG. 8D. Selecting View Overview Screen in Trading Mode  930  results in the display of FIG. 4, enabling its associated processing of FIG. 8B. Selecting View Overview Screen in Overview Mode  940  results in the display of FIG. 3, enabling its associated processing of FIG. 8A.  
         [0060]    [0060]FIG. 8A focuses on the application start-up and processing flow for FIG. 3. The present invention starts in block  802  where the investor  150 - 160  (FIG. 1) selects one or more markets  120 ,  125  or  130  (FIG. 1) to connect to. The specific servers that may be connected to and the details regarding the connection to be established are typically setup during the installation process of the software. The investor  150 - 160  (FIG. 1) can change, add or delete available connections and/or markets. Next, the present invention prompts the investor to log-on to a server which preferably supplies investment information updates in real-time or near-real-time  804 . At this point, the application updates investment information in block  806 . After updating, the system displays the Overview Screen in Overview Mode  808 .  
         [0061]    A preferred embodiment of the present invention enables the investor to perform three main investment operations  810 : view charts  812 , change investments  813  and paper trade  814 . Chart viewing will be more fully explained in FIG. 8C. When the investor selects change investment  813 , the system displays a list of currently stored investments  816 . The creation of this list will be more fully explained in FIG. 8D. After viewing the possible investment choices  816 , the investor then selects an investment  818 . The system updates the screen data  820  and then redisplays the Overview Screen in Overview Mode  808  with the newly selected investment and its associated timer interval statuses.  
         [0062]    When the investor decides to engage in “paper trading”  814 , there are two possible options: Long  822  and Short  823 . The process flow for each is identical, except for the data used and the calculations performed. These calculations were previously described in reference to FIG. 5. In order to perform the calculations, the system must have trade information with which to operate. Therefore, the investor has to supply trade information  825 . The system then checks for the necessary input  827 . If the investor has not input trade information  825  and  827 , then all that happens is the system continues to display the current Overview Screen in Overview Mode  808 . If the investor has entered trade information  825  and  827 , the system calculates the paper trade results  829 , update the screen data  831  and then displays the Overview Screen in Trading Mode  833 .  
         [0063]    The processing of the Overview Screen in Trading Mode  834  shown in FIG. 8B is very similar to that shown in FIG. 8A. The difference is that regardless of whether the investor selects change investment  813  or paper trade  814 , the present invention displays the results on the Overview Screen in Trading Mode  834 . If changes have been made in the investment selection  813  or if trade information has been entered  825  and  829 , the underlying data will be updated  820  and then displayed  834 . If data changes have not been made, the system continues to display the Overview Screen in Trading Mode  834 .  
         [0064]    The processing which occurs when FIG. 5 is displayed is shown in FIG. 8C. When a chart is displayed  836 , there are three possible chart data operations  838  that may occur: automatic data updating, changing chart intervals or viewing specific data for a selected data point. The chart is automatically updated from the investment data system  840 . Stored data is updated  844  for all the time intervals set in the system for each of the investments selected by the investor in either FIG. 3 or FIG. 4. After the stored data is updated, the system re-accesses the data  846 , updates the screen  848  and displays the charts  836 . The displayed chart may be for any one of the time intervals set in the system and the investor may navigate between each of the time intervals for the chart by selecting a new chart interval  841 . After a new interval has been selected  841 , the system accesses the data for the selected interval  846 , updates the screen  848  and displays the charts  836 . The investor can view more detailed data for a specific chart point by selecting the point  842 . The system then gets the stored data for the selected point  850  and displays it on the screen  852 . The stored data for the selected point is displayed in the Infolist  555  (FIG. 5).  
         [0065]    Not only can the investor search through the available investments to select those that meet a certain criteria, but the investor can also make changes to some of the system parameters through the Search Screen  854  processing of FIG. 8D. There are two main types of changes that result through the use of the Search Screen  600  (FIG. 6). The application operations  856  that can be performed are investment changes  858  and appearance changes  859 . The investment symbols appear in the custom list  650  (FIG. 6) can be changed by making investment changes  858 . The investor can add  861  new investments, delete  862  an existing investment or delete all  863  of the investments displayed in the custom list  650  (FIG. 6). When the investor adds  861  new investments, the system will prompt the investor to input the new investment symbol  865 , then the system will update the data  884  and display the Search Screen  854 . If the investor chooses to delete  862  a symbol, the system will prompt the investor to select an investment symbol  867  from custom list  650  (FIG. 6) for deletion. Then, the system will update the data  884  and display the Search Screen  854 . Alternatively, if the investor chooses to delete all  863  the investments in custom list  650  (FIG. 6), the system will ask for confirmation  869  that the investor wants to delete the entire list. If the investor affirms the requested deletion of the entire list, then the system updates the data  884  to reflect no entries and displays the Search Screen  854 .  
         [0066]    The other changes are made to the appearance  859  of the data relative to which investments are displayed for the screens of FIGS.  3 - 7  and which time intervals the system uses for calculations. When the investor conducts a search  874 , the system prompts the investor for the search parameters  880 . Once those parameters have been entered, the investor selects Apply  882 . The screen data is updated  884  to reflect only those investments that met the search parameters. The Search Screen is displayed  854 , showing the matching investments in custom list  650  (FIG. 6). The investor can also change the units  872  for the time intervals used throughout the system. The investor may input the desired units  876  in whole numbers and then select Apply  882 . The data will be updated  884  to display the Search Screen  854  with the newly entered units. Measurement  873  changes are similarly made. However, instead of inputting a new unit of measurement, the investor selects a unit of measurement  878  from a list. Then, the investor selects Apply  882 , the system updates the data  884  and displays the Search Screen  854  with the newly entered units of measurement.  
         [0067]    [0067]FIG. 8E displays the processing flow for FIG. 7. When the Gainers/Losers Screen is displayed  886 , the investor has the ability to sort  888  the data displayed on that screen. The investor may sort the Gainers  890  by point  893  or percent  894 . A point  895  and percent  896  sort is also available for Losers  898 .  
         [0068]    Now referring to FIG. 9, the Trading Screen  1000  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention is shown. Pricing and volume information  1015   a - i ,  1025   a - i ,  1035   a - i ,  1045   a - i  and  1055   a - i  for each associated investment  1010 ,  1020 ,  1030 ,  1040  and  1050  is shown. The pricing and volume information includes data such as the last price  1015   a ,  1025   a ,  1035   a ,  1045   a  and  1055   a , the dollar amount up or down per investment  1015   b ,  1025   b ,  1035   b ,  1045   b  and  1055   b , the bid price  1015   c ,  1025   c ,  1035   c ,  1045   c  and  1055   c , the ask price  1015   d ,  1025   d ,  1035   d ,  1045   d  and  1055   d , the volume  1015   e ,  1025   e ,  1035   e ,  1045   e  and  1055   e , the closing price  1015   f ,  1025   f ,  1035   f ,  1045   f  and  1055   f , a trade button  1015   g ,  1025   g ,  1035   g ,  1045   g  and  1055   g , the number of shares  1015   h ,  1025   h ,  1035   h ,  1045   h  and  1055   h , the profit/loss  1015   i ,  1025   i ,  1035   i ,  1045   i  and  1055   i , the execute price  1015   j ,  1025   j ,  1035   j ,  1045   j  and  1055   j , a long/short trade button  1015   k ,  1025   k ,  1035   k ,  1045   k  and  1055   k , and a save button  10151 ,  10251 ,  10351 ,  10451  and  10551  for each investment  1010 ,  1020 ,  1030 ,  1040  and  1050 . The dollar amount up or down per investment  1015   b ,  1025   b ,  1035   b ,  1045   b  and  1055   b  is displayed with color-coding: green may represent a gain, red may represent a loss, while white may represent either no change or no data. Other color combinations can be used.  
         [0069]    To execute a trade, the investor enters the execute price (Price)  1015   j ,  1025   j ,  1035   j ,  1045   j  and  1055   j  and the amount of an investment bought or shorted (Share)  1015   h ,  1025   h ,  1035   h ,  1045   h  and  1055   h  for an associated investment  1010 ,  1020 ,  1030 ,  1040  and  1050 . The investor chooses from Long or Short for an associated investment  1010 ,  1020 ,  1030 ,  1040  and  1050  by clicking on the long/short button  1015   k ,  1025   k ,  1035   k ,  1045   k  and  1055   k  for that investment. The results of the trade are shown in P/L  1015   i ,  1025   i ,  1035   i ,  1045   i  and  1055   i  for an associated investment  1010 ,  1020 ,  1030 ,  1040  and  1050 . The results are displayed with color-coding: green may represent a gain, red may represent a loss, while white may represent either no change or no data. Other color combinations can be used. The trade button  1015   g ,  1025   g ,  1035   g ,  1045   g  and  1055   g  either execute the trade (real or simulated) or connects the investor to the electronic or online brokerage service. The save button  10151 ,  10251 ,  10351 ,  10451  and  10551  saves the transaction so that the investor can keep track of his or her historical trading activity.  
         [0070]    Buttons  1070 ,  1075 ,  1080 ,  1085  and  1090  enable the investor to navigate through the application screens. This strip of buttons is repeated on each screen and has identical functionality on each screen. Button  1070  corresponds to the Gainer/Losers Screen  1350  (FIG. 13). Button  1075  corresponds to the Parameters Screen  1300  (FIG. 12). Button  1080  corresponds to the Traders Screen  1000  (FIG. 9). Button  1085  corresponds to the Overview Screen  1200  (FIG. 11). Button  1090  corresponds to the Trade Vault Screen  1100  (FIG. 10).  
         [0071]    [0071]FIG. 10 is the Trade Vault Screen  1100  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The Trade Vault shows the paper and real trades that were saved by the investor by using the save button  10151 ,  10251 ,  10351 ,  10451  and  10551  in FIG. 9. The Trade Vault Screen shows whether the trade was simulated (paper) or real  1102 , the user  1104 , the purchase date  1106 , the trading symbol  1108 , the investment name  1110 , the purchase price  1112 , the number of shares  1114 , the selling price  1116 , the profit  1118 , whether the trade was long or short  1120 , the fee in  1122 , the fee out  1124 , the tax rate  1126  and the tax liability  1128 . Data can be changed or added using the input section  1130 . The changes can be applied using the apply changes button  1132 . Trades can be deleted using the delete trade button  1134 .  
         [0072]    [0072]FIG. 11 is the Overview Screen  1200  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The Overview Screen  1200  enables the investor to recognize trends and directional movements. Overview Screen  1200  contains information about several selected investments  1210 ,  1220 ,  1230 ,  1240  and  1250 . Color coded indicators  1210   a - 2110   h ,  1220   a - 1220   h ,  1230   a - 1230   h ,  1240   a - 1240   h  and  1250   a - 1250   h  are displayed for each of the selected investments  1210 ,  1220 ,  1230 ,  1240  and  1250 . These indicators are preferably laid out in a grid fashion, but can be otherwise configured. Each indicator  1210   a - 1210   h ,  1220   a - 1220   h ,  1230   a - 1230   h ,  1240   a - 1240   h  and  1250   a - 1250   h  represents information for an associated single investment. Each indicator  1210   a - 1210   h ,  1220   a - 1220   h ,  1230   a - 1230   h ,  1240   a - 1240   h  and  1250   a - 1250   h  displays the chosen time interval for that indicator. Time intervals may be in minutes, hours, days, weeks or months. In the example shown, the time interval for indicators  1210   a ,  1220   a ,  1230   a ,  1240   a  and  1250   a  is fifteen minutes; the time interval for indicators  1210   b ,  1220   b ,  1230   b ,  1240   b  and  1250   b  is thirty minutes; the time interval for indicators  1210   c ,  1220   c ,  1230   c ,  1240   c  and  1250   c  is sixty minutes; the time interval for indicators  1210   d ,  1220   d ,  1230   d ,  1240   d  and  1250   d  is ninety minutes; the time interval for indicators  1210   e ,  1220   e ,  1230   e ,  1240   e  and  1250   e  is one hundred and twenty minutes; the time interval for indicators  1210   f ,  1220   f ,  1230   f ,  1240   f  and  1250   f  is short term (days; the time interval for indicators  1210   g ,  1220   g ,  1230   g ,  1240   g  and  1250   g  is mid-term (weeks); and the time interval for indicators  1210   h ,  1220   h ,  1230   h ,  1240   h  and  1250   h  is long term (months). The investor can use the page down button  1260  and page up button  1265  to scroll through various investments being tracked.  
         [0073]    [0073]FIG. 12 is the Parameters Screen  1300  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The investor can use the Parameters Screen  1300  to add  1302 , delete  1304 , or delete all  1306  investments (symbols)  1308  being tracked, change the time intervals displayed in the Trading Screen  1000  (FIG. 9) and the Overview Screen  1200  (FIG. 11) using the entry fields and toggle fields in the Trading/Overview section  1310 . The investor can set the recalculation options to swing trade/long term investor  1312  or active trade mode  1314 . The investor can also use various preset or stored sets of time intervals by selecting a trade style  1316 , such as beginner, expert, long term investor or day trader. These preset or stored time intervals can be edited using the edit button  1318 . Changes are applied using the apply changes button  1320 . The settings for the Gainers/Losers Screen  1350  (FIG. 13) and the Trade Vault Screen  1100  (FIG. 10) can be set using sections  1322  and  1324  respectively.  
         [0074]    [0074]FIG. 13 is the Gainers/Losers Screen  1350  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. This screen  1350  shows the biggest gainers in section  1352 , the biggest losers in section  1354  and the most active in section  1356 .  
         [0075]    An implementation of the present invention will now be described with respect to options in reference to FIGS.  14 - 36 . Now referring to FIG. 14, the Initial Screen  1400  is shown and will now be described. The Initial Screen  1400  and most of the other screens contain a header area  1402 , a data area  1404  and a footer area  1406 . The header area  1402  contains a strategies button  1408 , which will display the Strategies Screen  1500  (FIG. 15) when clicked, a trading buddy button, which will display the Trading Buddy Screen  1600  (FIG. 16) when clicked and a parameters button  1412 , which will display the Parameters Screen  1700  (FIG. 17) when clicked. Other buttons can be used. The header area  1402  also contains exchange or market information, such as DOW  1414  and NASDAQ  1416 . For each exchange or market index, the current value (DOW  1418 , NASDAQ  1424 ), change (DOW  1420 , NASDAQ  1426 ) and up/down indicator (DOW  1422 , NASDAQ  1428 ) are provided. The up/down indicators  1422  and  1428  can be colored (green/red) up/down arrows to visually indicate the change in the exchange or market index. Other market information can be displayed.  
         [0076]    The data area  1404  will display information that is specific to the analysis being performed. As shown, the data area  1404  includes stock information  1430  for a selected stock. The stock information  1430  includes the ticker symbol  1432  for a stock, which is entered by the user, a GO button  1434 , which is used to retrieve or update the stock information  1430  corresponding to the stock symbol  1432  entered by the user, and the retrieved information (volume  1436 , last price  1438 , gain/loss  1440 , bid price  1442 , asking price  1444 ,  52  week high  1446  and  52  week low  1448 ). Other information can be displayed.  
         [0077]    The footer area  1406  contains a set of buttons corresponding to option trading strategies, which are configurable using the Strategies Screen  1500  (FIG. 15) via the strategies button  1408 . As shown, the option trading strategy buttons are arranged in three groups: Bull Strategy  1450  (green colored buttons), Neutral Strategy  1452  (yellow colored buttons) and Bear Strategy  1454  (red colored buttons). The Bull Strategy  1450  buttons are Long Call  1456 , Short Put  1458 , Covered Call  1460 , Bull Call Spread  1462  and Call Calendar Spread  1464 . The Neutral Strategy  1452  buttons are Long Straddle  1466 , Short Straddle  1468 , Long Strangle  1470 , Short Strangle  1472  and an unassigned button  1474 . The Bear Strategy  1454  buttons are Short Call  1476 , Long Put  1478 , Bear Call Spread  1480 , Bear Put Spread  1482  and Put Calendar Spread  1484 . With the exception of the unassigned button  1474 , each of these buttons will take the user to the selected strategy overview screen: Long Call  1456  (screen  2100  FIG. 21), Short Put  1458  (screen  2200  FIG. 22), Covered Call  1460  (screen  2300  FIG. 23), Bull Call Spread  1462  (screen  2400 , FIG. 24), Call Calendar Spread  1464  (screen  2500  FIG. 25), Long Straddle  1466  (screen  2600  FIG. 26), Short Straddle  1468  (screen  2700  FIG. 27), Long Strangle  1470  (no separate figure shown), Short Strangle  1472  (screen  2800  FIG. 28), Short Call  1476  (screen  2900  FIG. 29), Long Put  1478  (screen  3000  FIG. 30), Bear Call Spread  1480  (screen  3100  FIG. 31), Bear Put Spread  1482  (screen  3200  FIG. 32) and Put Calendar Spread  1484  (screen  3300  FIG. 33).  
         [0078]    Referring now to FIG. 15, Strategies Screen  1500  is shown and will be described. As previously stated, the Strategies Screen  1500  is accessed by clicking the strategies button  1408 . The Strategies Screen  1500  is a pop up screen that allows the user to configure the option trading strategy buttons displayed in the footer area  1406 . The user selects the strategy group that he or she desires to change by clicking on Bull Strategy radio button  1502 , Neutral Strategy radio button  1504  or Bear Strategy radio button  1506 . The available strategies and selected strategies for the selected strategy group are displayed in boxes  1508  and  1510 , respectively. Strategies are added to the selected strategies  1510  by clicking on the desired strategy in the available strategies box  1508  and clicking on the button with two right arrows  1512 . Likewise, strategies are removed from the selected strategies  1510  by clicking on the desire strategy in the selected strategies box  1510  and clicking on the button with two left arrows  1514 . The user can rearrange the order of the strategy buttons by selecting the strategy to be moved in the selected strategies box  1510  and clicking the “Move Left”  1516  or “Move Right”  1518  buttons. The configuration is cancelled by clicking the Cancel button  1520  or saved by clicking the Save button  1522 . The various strategies may include:  
         [0079]    Long Call (button  1456  FIG. 14, screen  2100  FIG. 21)—the purchasing of a call option, which represents the option to buy stock at a specific price in the future;  
         [0080]    Short Put (button  1458  FIG. 14, screen  2200  FIG. 22)—the writing of a put option, which represents an obligation to sell stock at a specific price in the future;  
         [0081]    Covered Call (button  1460  FIG. 14, screen  2300  FIG. 23)—the writing of a call option against an equivalent amount of long stock (e.g., writing two XYZ May  60  calls while owning  200  shares or more of XYZ stock);  
         [0082]    Bull Call Spread (button  1462  FIG. 14, screen  2400  FIG. 24)—the simultaneous purchase of one call option with a lower strike and the writing of another call option with a higher strike price (e.g., buying one XYZ May  60  call and writing one XYZ May  65  call);  
         [0083]    Bull Put Spread (button  3502  and screen  3500  FIG. 35)—the simultaneous writing of one put option with a higher strike and the purchase of another put option with a lower strike price (e.g., writing one XYZ May  60  put and buying one XYZ May  55  put);  
         [0084]    Call Calendar Spread (button  1464  FIG. 14, screen  2500  FIG. 25)—the purchase of a farther-term call and the writing of a nearer-term call at the same strike price (e.g., buying one XYZ May  60  call (far term) and writing one XYZ March  60  call (near term));  
         [0085]    Long Straddle (button  1466  FIG. 14, screen  2600  FIG. 26)—purchasing one call and one put with the same strike price and expiration (e.g., purchasing one XYZ May  60  call and one XYZ May  60  put);  
         [0086]    Short Straddle (button  1468  FIG. 14, screen  2700  FIG. 27)—writing one call and one put with the same strike price and expiration (e.g., writing one XYZ May  60  call and one XYZ May  60  put);  
         [0087]    Covered Straddle—writing one call and one put with the same strike price and expiration each against  100  shares of the underlying stock (e.g., writing one XYZ May  60  call and one XYZ May  60  put and buying 200 shares of XYZ stock);  
         [0088]    Covered Combination—writing one call and one put with different strike prices and the same expiration each against 100 shares of the underlying stock (e.g., writing one XYZ May  60  call and one XYZ May  65  put and buying 200 shares of XYZ stock);  
         [0089]    Long Strangle (button  1470  FIG. 14)—purchasing a put option and a call option with the same expiration dates and strike prices which are out of the money (the stock price is above the strike price for the put option and below the strike price for the call option);  
         [0090]    Short Strangle (button  1472  FIG. 14, screen  2800  FIG. 28)—writing a put option and a call option with the same expiration dates and strike prices which are out of the money (the stock price is above the strike price for the put option and below the strike price for the call option);  
         [0091]    Short Call (button  1476  FIG. 14, screen  2900  FIG. 29)—the writing of a call option, which represents an obligation to buy stock at a specific price in the future;  
         [0092]    Long Put (button  1478  FIG. 14, screen  3000  FIG. 30)—the purchase of a put option, which represents an option to sell stock at a specific price in the future;  
         [0093]    Covered Put (button  3402  and screen  3400  FIG. 34)—writing a put option against a sufficient amount of cash or T-bills to pay for the stock purchase if the short option is assigned;  
         [0094]    Bear Call Spread (button  1480  FIG. 14, screen  3100  FIG. 31)—the simultaneous writing of one call option with a lower strike and the purchase of another call option with a higher strike price (e.g., writing one XYZ May  60  call and buying one XYZ May  65  call);  
         [0095]    Bear Put Spread (button  1482  FIG. 14, screen  3200  FIG. 32)—the simultaneous purchase of one put option with a higher strike price and the writing of another put option with a lower strike price (e.g., buying one XYZ May  60  put and writing one XYZ May  55  put); and  
         [0096]    Put Calendar Spread (button  1484  FIG. 14, screen  3300  FIG. 33)—the purchase of a farther-term put and the writing of a nearer-term put at the same strike price (e.g., buying one XYZ May  60  put (far term) and writing one XYZ March  60  put (near term)).  
         [0097]    The present invention can be configured to incorporate strategies that are not listed above or that are newly developed from time to time.  
         [0098]    Now referring to FIG. 16, the Trading Buddy Screen  1600  is shown and will be described. As previously stated, the Trading Buddy Screen  1600  is accessed by clicking the trading buddy button  1410 . The Trading Buddy Screen  1600  is a pop up screen that allows the user to confirm a trade and send information to a trading buddy, which is set up using the Parameters Screen  1700  (FIG. 17). More specifically, the user selects an option  1602  by clicking anywhere on the line with option data, clicks on the trading buddy button  1410  and either cancels the e-mail using the Cancel button  1604  or sends the e-mail using the Send button  1606 . The body  1608  of the e-mail contains all of the information about the selected stock  1430  and option  1602 . The user can type in additional notes within the e-mail body  1608  or change the subject line  1610  prior to sending the e-mail. Note that the user&#39;s e-mail program does not have to be open to send the e-mail to the user&#39;s trading buddy. Moreover, a copy of the e-mail is also sent to the user.  
         [0099]    Referring now to FIG. 17, the Parameters Screen  1700  is shown and will be described. As previously stated, the Parameters Screen  1700  is accessed by clicking the parameters button  1412 . The Parameters Screen  1700  is a pop up screen that allows the user to set his or her User Name  1702 , Password  1704 , Save User Name and Password  1706 , Your Email  1708 , SMTP Server  1710  and Email Buddy  1712 . As described in reference to FIG. 16, Your Email  1708 , SMTP Server  1710  and Email Buddy  1712  are used to send e-mails from the Trading Buddy Screen  1600  (FIG. 16) to the user and his or her trading buddy. The changes are either cancelled using the Cancel button  1714  or saved using the Save button  1716 .  
         [0100]    Now referring to FIG. 18, a Buy/Sell Pressure Indicator Screen  1800  is shown and will be described. The Buy/Sell Pressure Indicator Screen  1800  is accessed by entering a ticker symbol  1432  for a stock and clicking on the GO button  1434 . The present invention obtains the market information for the stock, displays the market information (volume  1436 , last price  1438 , gain/loss  1440  (field color is green if up and red if down), bid price  1442 , asking price  1444 ,  52  week high  1446  and  52  week low  1448 ), and calculates the Buy/Sell Pressure Indicators for three time intervals (short term, mid term and long term). The short term (daily), mid term (weekly) and long term (monthly) data is displayed by clicking on the Short Term button  1802 , Mid Term button  1804  or the Long Term button  1806 . As shown, each term button  1802 - 1806  will be either a green colored up arrow, which indicates an upward trend (e.g., Long Term button  1806 ), or a red colored down arrow, which indicates a downward trend (e.g., Short Term button  1802  and Mid Term button  1804 ). Moreover, the type of data being displayed is indicated by a yellow colored highlight around the particular term button  1802 - 1806 , which in this case is a yellow highlight  1808  around Long Term button  1806 . Once selected, the Buy/Sell Pressure Indicators  1810  (closing value trend) and  1812  (opening value trend) for time intervals are displayed in upper chart  1814 , and the volume for the intervals is displayed in lower chart  1816 . The upper and lower charts  1814  and  1816  are changed by entering a new ticker symbol  1432 , clicking on the GO button  1434 , or clicking on one of the term buttons  1802 - 1806 .  
         [0101]    The present invention uses a regression analysis to calculate an opening value trend and a closing value trend for each of the time intervals (daily, weekly, monthly) for the selected stock. The color of the indicators  1802 - 1806  is based on a comparison of the opening value trend to the closing value trend for each time interval for the selected stock. The indicators  1802 - 1806  will be a first color when the closing value trend is greater than the opening value trend for each time interval and a second color when the closing value trend is less than the opening value trend for each time interval. The upper graph  1814 , which is a multiple linear regression chart (MLR), displays two color coded regression lines, a red line  1812  and a green line  1810 , generated using the present invention&#39;s algorithm against the selected time interval. The present invention preferably uses red to indicate opening prices and green to indicate closing prices. Other colors can be used. In general, the red line  1812  incorporates the algorithms and factors that tend to drive a price downward. Conversely, the green line  1810  integrates the algorithms and factors tend to drive the price upward. A user can quickly determine his or her your entry and exit points based on the crossover lines, which are displayed with red and green lights.  
         [0102]    Any position on the green regression line  1810  represents a regression of a prior number of period&#39;s closing prices, such as four (4) prior monthly interval closing prices. This regression analysis builds and displays a trend of the closing prices over a period of time. Any position on the red regression line  1812  represents a regression of a prior number of period&#39;s opening prices, such as three (3) prior monthly interval opening prices. The current interval&#39;s opening price is not included in this calculation. This regression analysis builds and displays a trend of the opening prices of the investment over a period of time. When the green regression line  1810  is above the red regression line  1812  on the chart, favorable conditions for a long trade occur. When the red regression line  1812  is above the green regression line  1810  on the chart, favorable conditions for a short trade occur. A critical point occurs when the red regression line  1812  and the green regression line  1810  cross. When the green regression line  1810  crosses the red regression line  1906  and ascends above the red regression line  1812 , the associated time interval indicator will become green. When the red regression line  1812  crosses the green regression line  11810  and ascends above the green regression line  1810 , the associated time interval indicator will become red. The longer term trend indicators start to turn red as the movement continues. As the present invention updates the calculations and the indicators change, the investor can be notified via audible or visual alerts. The present invention can also sent electronic notifications to the investor.  
         [0103]    More specifically, the algorithm uses seven critical data factors to perform “real-time” calculations at the rate of 800-1500 calculations per second to determine point of entry, point of exit, and trend analysis. The first four indicators are the Open, High, Low, and Close of each of the four time intervals. The next two are each Up tick and Down tick for every one of the four time intervals. The last, and most important, of the seven critical data factors is the Historic Data, exponentially weighted to volume because of the intrinsic price properties as it relates to the investment&#39;s price performance. The present invention then takes these seven critical data factors and integrates them into two summation formulas, the X+Y (represented by the green line) and the X−Y (represented by the red line). Both summation formulas are then calculated by an algorithm, which is then displayed by a red/green light indicator.  
         [0104]    The investor may obtain more detailed information concerning a specific point along either the green regression line  1810  or the red regression line  1812  by clicking on the line at the desired point. As shown in FIG. 19, clicking on the green or red regression line  1810 ,  1812  causes popup window  1900  to be displayed. Popup window  1900  displays the open  1902 , high  1904 , low  1906 , close  1908 , volume  1910 , start time  1912  and stop time  1914  for the selected point. As shown in FIG. 20, the specific data points on the green and red regression lines  1810  and  1812  can be indicated and displayed by block boxes  2000  on the respective lines. Note that graphs  1814  and  1816  are only representative of the market trend indicators and analyses available. The selection of multiple linear regression and volume analyses for a preferred embodiment of the present invention does not indicate that the present invention is limited to only those market trend indicators. There are many market trend indicators that the investor can consult to make better trade decisions, such as the following: stochastics, relative strength, directional movement, commodity channel, simple average, exponential average weighted average, MACD (simple), MACD (exponential), momentum/ROC, midrange, William&#39;s %R, parabolic stop, volatility stop, trailing stop, high low stop, Bollinger Bands, Keltner Channel, uniform channel, regression channel, swing lines, cycle forecast, on balance volume, overlay chart, point &amp; figure, moving average, moving linear regression, upper envelope, lower envelope, %K, %D, %D slow, %D averaged, %R, RSI, momentum, acceleration, moving average oscillator, moving average momentum, moving average convergence-divergence oscillator, moving average convergence-divergence, MACD signal line, commodity channel index, rate of change in prices, on balance volume variance, standard deviation, volatility ratio, volatility, skew, kurtosis, Williams Accumulated Distribution, Arm&#39;s Ease of Movement, plus directional indicator, minus directional indicator, directional movement and average directional movement.  
         [0105]    Referring now to FIGS.  21 - 35 , some of the specific strategy data screens are shown and will be described. FIG. 21 is a strategy data screen  2100  for the Long Call strategy, which is accessible via button  1456 . A Long Call is the purchasing of a call option, which represents the option to buy stock at a specific price (strike price  2108 ) in the future (on or before the expiration date  2104 ). Screen  2100  displays the option symbol  2102 , expiration date  2104 , number of days until expiration (“DTE”)  2106 , strike price  2108 , bid price  2110 , asking price  2112 , spread  2114 , open interest  2116 , delta  2118 , intrinsic value  2120 , time value  2122 , maximum risk  2124  and break even price  2126 . The expiration date  2104  is the date on which the option and the right to exercise it cease to exist. The strike price  2108  (also referred to as the striking price, strike or exercise price) is the price at which the owner of an option can purchase the underlying stock. The spread  2114  is the difference between the bid price  2110  and the asking price  2112 . Open interest  2116  is the total number of outstanding option contracts on a given series. Delta  2118  is the measure of the rate of change in an option&#39;s theoretical value for a one-unit change in the price of the underlying stock. Intrinsic value  2120  is the in-the-money portion of an option&#39;s price. A call option is in-the-money if the stock price  1438  is above the strike price  2108 . The time value  2122  is the part of an option&#39;s total price that exceeds its intrinsic value  2120 . The price of an out-of-the-money option consists entirely of time value. Maximum risk  2124  is the maximum amount of money that can be lost using this option strategy. Break even  2126  is the stock price at which the option strategy results in neither a profit nor a loss. The user can select an option  2128  by clicking anywhere on the line with option data. The option data can then be sent to a trading buddy using the trading buddy button  1410 . The type of strategy (e.g., Long Call  2130 ) being displayed is shown in the header area  1402 . Other strategies can be viewed by clicking on any of the strategy buttons in the footer area  1406 . Moreover, the data being displayed can be updated by clicking the GO button  1434 . The data can also be changed to a new stock by entering the new ticker symbol  1432  and clicking the GO button  1434 .  
         [0106]    [0106]FIG. 22 is a strategy data screen  2200  for the Short Put strategy, which is accessible via button  1458 . A Short Put is the writing of a put option, which represents an obligation to sell stock at a specific price (strike price  2108 ) in the future (on or before the expiration date  2104 ). Screen  2200  displays the option symbol  2102 , expiration date  2104 , number of days until expiration (“DTE”)  2106 , strike price  2108 , bid price  2110 , asking price  2112 , spread  2114 , open interest  2116 , delta  2118 , intrinsic value  2120 , time value  2122 , maximum profit  2202 , risk  2204  and break even price  2126 . The expiration date  2104  is the date on which the option and the right to exercise it cease to exist. The strike price  2108  (also referred to as the striking price, strike or exercise price) is the price at which the owner of an option can sell the underlying stock. The spread  2114  is the difference between the bid price  2110  and the asking price  2112 . Open interest  2116  is the total number of outstanding option contracts on a given series. Delta  2118  is the measure of the rate of change in an option&#39;s theoretical value for a one-unit change in the price of the underlying stock. Intrinsic value  2120  is the in-the-money portion of an option&#39;s price. A put is in-the-money if the stock price  1438  is below the strike price  2108 . The time value  2122  is the part of an option&#39;s total price that exceeds its intrinsic value  2120 . The price of an out-of-the-money option consists entirely of time value. The maximum profit  2202  is the maximum amount of money that can be made using this option strategy. Risk  2204  is the amount of money that can be lost using this option strategy. Break even  2126  is the stock price at which the option strategy results in neither a profit nor a loss. The user can select an option  2206  by clicking anywhere on the line with option data. The option data can then be sent to a trading buddy using the trading buddy button  1410 . The type of strategy (e.g., Short Put  2208 ) being displayed is shown in the header area  1402 . Other strategies can be viewed by clicking on any of the strategy buttons in the footer area  1406 . Moreover, the data being displayed can be updated by clicking the GO button  1434 . The data can also be changed to a new stock by entering the new ticker symbol  1432  and clicking the GO button  1434 .  
         [0107]    [0107]FIG. 23 is a strategy data screen  2300  for the Covered Call strategy, which is accessible via button  1460 . A Covered Call is the writing of a call option against an equivalent amount of long stock (e.g., writing two XYZ May  60  calls while owning  200  shares or more of XYZ stock). Screen  2300  displays the option symbol  2102 , expiration date  2104 , number of days until expiration (“DTE”)  2106 , strike price  2108 , premium  2302 , percent if not called out  2304 , percent if called out  2306 , break even price  2126  and distance  2308 . The expiration date  2104  is the date on which the option and the right to exercise it cease to exist. The strike price  2108  (also referred to as the striking price, strike or exercise price) is the price at which the owner of an option can purchase the underlying stock. The premium  2302  is the total price of the option (intrinsic value plus time value). The percent return if not called out  2304  (typically displayed in green if a gain and red if a loss) is the percent gain/loss made if the call is exercised ((Last Price  1438 −(Strike Price  2108 +Premium  2302 ))/Last Price  1438 ). The percent return if called out  2306  (typically displayed in green if a gain and red if a loss) is the percent gain/loss made if the call is not exercised (Premium  2302 /Last Price  1438 ). Break even  2126  is the stock price at which the option strategy results in neither a profit nor a loss. Distance  2308  is the difference between the last price  1438  and the break even price  2126 ). The user can select an option  2310  by clicking anywhere on the line with option data. The option data can then be sent to a trading buddy using the trading buddy button  1410 . The type of strategy (e.g., Covered Call  2312 ) being displayed is shown in the header area  1402 . Other strategies can be viewed by clicking on any of the strategy buttons in the footer area  1406 . Moreover, the data being displayed can be updated by clicking the GO button  1434 . The data can also be changed to a new stock by entering the new ticker symbol  1432  and clicking the GO button  1434 .  
         [0108]    [0108]FIG. 24 is a strategy data screen  2400  for the Bull Call Spread strategy, which is accessible via button  1462 . A Bull Call Spread is the simultaneous purchase of one call option with a lower strike (buy strike price  2404 ) and the writing of another call option with a higher strike price (sell strike price  2410 ) (e.g., buying one XYZ May  60  call and writing one XYZ May  65  call). Screen  2400  displays the buy strike symbol  2402  for the call to be purchased, expiration date  2104 , number of days until expiration (“DTE”)  2106 , strike price  2404  for the call to be purchased, asking price  2406  for the call to be purchased, option symbol  2408  for the call to be written, strike price  2410  for the call to be written, bidding price  2412  for the call to be written, maximum risk  2124 , maximum profit  2202 , percent return  2414  and break even price  2126 . The expiration date  2104  is the date on which both options and the right to exercise them cease to exist. The strike prices  2404  and  2410  (also referred to as the striking price, strike or exercise price) are the prices at which the owner of an option can purchase the underlying stock. Maximum risk  2124  is the maximum amount of money that can be lost using this option strategy. Maximum profit  2202  (typically displayed in green if a gain and red if a loss) is the maximum amount of money that can be made using this option strategy. Percent return  2414  (typically displayed in green if a gain and red if a loss) is based on the maximum profit  2202  and the maximum risk  2124 . Break even  2126  is the stock price at which the option strategy results in neither a profit nor a loss. The user can select an option  2416  by clicking anywhere on the line with option data. The option data can then be sent to a trading buddy using the trading buddy button  1410 . The type of strategy (e.g., Bull Call Spread  2418 ) being displayed is shown in the header area  1402 . Other strategies can be viewed by clicking on any of the strategy buttons in the footer area  1406 . Moreover, the data being displayed can be updated by clicking the GO button  1434 . The data can also be changed to a new stock by entering the new ticker symbol  1432  and clicking the GO button  1434 .  
         [0109]    [0109]FIG. 25 is a strategy data screen  2500  for the Call Calendar Spread strategy, which is accessible via button  1464 . A Call Calendar Spread is the purchase of a farther-term call (long symbol  2506  with long expiration  2508 ) and the writing of a nearer-term call (short symbol  2502  with short expiration  2504 ) at the same strike price  2508  (e.g., buying one XYZ May  60  call (far term) and writing one XYZ March  60  call (near term)). Screen  2500  displays the short symbol  2502  for the near term call to be purchased, short expiration  2504  for the near term call to be purchased, long symbol  2506  for the far term call to be written, long expiration  2508  for the far term call to be written, number of days until expiration of the near term call to be purchased (“Short DTE”)  2510 , number of days until expiration of the far term call to be written (“Long DTE”)  2512 , strike price  2108  for both the calls, bidding price  2514  for the near term call to be purchased, asking price  2516  for the far term call to be written and maximum risk  2124 . The expiration dates  2504  and  2508  are the dates on which the respective options and the right to exercise them cease to exist. The strike price  2108  (also referred to as the striking price, strike or exercise price) is the price at which the owner of an option can purchase the underlying stock. Maximum risk  2124  is the maximum amount of money that can be lost using this option strategy. The user can select an option  2518  by clicking anywhere on the line with option data. The option data can then be sent to a trading buddy using the trading buddy button  1410 . The type of strategy (e.g., Call Calendar Spread  2520 ) being displayed is shown in the header area  1402 . Other strategies can be viewed by clicking on any of the strategy buttons in the footer area  1406 . Moreover, the data being displayed can be updated by clicking the GO button  1434 . The data can also be changed to a new stock by entering the new ticker symbol  1432  and clicking the GO button  1434 .  
         [0110]    [0110]FIG. 26 is a strategy data screen  2600  for the Long Straddle strategy, which is accessible via button  1466 . A Long Straddle is purchasing one call and one put with the same or different strike prices and same expiration (e.g., purchasing one XYZ May  60  call and one XYZ May  60  put). Screen  2600  displays the option symbol  2102 , expiration date  2104 , number of days until expiration (“DTE”)  2106 , call strike price  2602 , call asking price  2604 , put strike price  2606 , put asking price  2608 , risk  2610 , upside break even price  2612 , downside breakeven price  2614  and maximum profit  1616 . The expiration date  2104  is the date on which the options and the right to exercise them cease to exist. The strike prices  2602  and  2608  (also referred to as the striking price, strike or exercise price) are the prices at which the owner of an option can purchase the underlying stock (call strike  2602 ) and sell the underlying stock (put strike  2608 ). The asking prices  2604  and  2608  are the asking prices for the options (call strike asking price  2604  and put strike asking price  2608 ). The risk  2610  is the amount of money that can be lost using this option strategy. The upside break even price  1612  is the stock price at which the option strategy results in a profit if the stock price rises. The downside break even price  1614  is the stock price at which the option strategy results in a profit if the stock price goes down. The maximum profit  2616  is the maximum amount of money that can be gained using this option strategy. The user can select an option  2618  by clicking anywhere on the line with option data. The option data can then be sent to a trading buddy using the trading buddy button  1410 . The type of strategy (e.g., Long Straddle  2620 ) being displayed is shown in the header area  1402 . Other strategies can be viewed by clicking on any of the strategy buttons in the footer area  1406 . Moreover, the data being displayed can be updated by clicking the GO button  1434 . The data can also be changed to a new stock by entering the new ticker symbol  1432  and clicking the GO button  1434 .  
         [0111]    [0111]FIG. 27 is a strategy data screen  2700  for the Short Straddle strategy, which is accessible via button  1468 . A Short Straddle is writing one call and one put with the same or different strike price and the same expiration (e.g., writing one XYZ May  60  call and one XYZ May  60  put). Screen  2700  displays the option symbol  2102 , expiration date  2104 , number of days until expiration (“DTE”)  2106 , call strike price  2602 , call bidding price  2702 , put strike price  2606 , put bidding price  2704 , risk  2610 , upside break even price  2612 , downside breakeven price  2614  and maximum profit  1616 . The expiration date  2104  is the date on which the options and the right to exercise them cease to exist. The strike prices  2602  and  2608  (also referred to as the striking price, strike or exercise price) are the prices at which the owner of an option can purchase the underlying stock (call strike  2602 ) and sell the underlying stock (put strike  2608 ). The bidding prices  2702  and  2704  are the bidding prices for the options (call strike bidding price  2702  and put strike bidding price  2704 ). The risk  2610  is the amount of money that can be lost using this option strategy. The upside break even price  2612  is the stock price at which the option strategy results in a profit if the stock price rises. The downside break even price  2614  is the stock price at which the option strategy results in a profit if the stock price goes down. The maximum profit  2616  is the maximum amount of money that can be gained using this option strategy. The user can select an option  2706  by clicking anywhere on the line with option data. The option data can then be sent to a trading buddy using the trading buddy button  1410 . The type of strategy (e.g., Short Straddle  2708 ) being displayed is shown in the header area  1402 . Other strategies can be viewed by clicking on any of the strategy buttons in the footer area  1406 . Moreover, the data being displayed can be updated by clicking the GO button  1434 . The data can also be changed to a new stock by entering the new ticker symbol  1432  and clicking the GO button  1434 .  
         [0112]    [0112]FIG. 28 is a strategy data screen  2800  for the Short Strangle strategy, which is accessible via button  1472 . A Short Strangle is writing a put option and a call option with the same expiration dates and strike prices which are out of the money (the stock price is above the strike price for the put option and below the strike price for the call option). Screen  2800  displays the option symbol  2102 , expiration date  2104 , number of days until expiration (“DTE”)  2106 , call strike price  2602 , call bidding price  2702 , put strike price  2606 , put bidding price  2704 , risk  2610 , upside break even price  2612 , downside breakeven price  2614  and maximum profit  1616 . The expiration date  2104  is the date on which the options and the right to exercise them cease to exist. The strike prices  2602  and  2608  (also referred to as the striking price, strike or exercise price) are the prices at which the owner of an option can purchase the underlying stock (call strike  2602 ) and sell the underlying stock (put strike  2608 ). The bidding prices  2702  and  2704  are the bidding prices for the options (call strike bidding price  2702  and put strike bidding price  2704 ). The maximum risk  2610  is the amount of money that can be lost using this option strategy. The upside break even price  2612  is the stock price at which the option strategy results in a profit if the stock price rises. The downside break even price  2614  is the stock price at which the option strategy results in a profit if the stock price goes down. The maximum profit  2616  is the maximum amount of money that can be gained using this option strategy. The user can select an option  2802  by clicking anywhere on the line with option data. The option data can then be sent to a trading buddy using the trading buddy button  1410 . The type of strategy (e.g., Short Strangle  2804 ) being displayed is shown in the header area  1402 . Other strategies can be viewed by clicking on any of the strategy buttons in the footer area  1406 . Moreover, the data being displayed can be updated by clicking the GO button  1434 . The data can also be changed to a new stock by entering the new ticker symbol  1432  and clicking the GO button  1434 .  
         [0113]    [0113]FIG. 29 is a strategy data screen  2900  for the Short Call strategy, which is accessible via button  1476 . A Short Call is the writing of a call option, which represents the option to buy stock at a specific price (strike price  2108 ) in the future (on or before the expiration date  2104 ). Screen  2900  displays the option symbol  2102 , expiration date  2104 , number of days until expiration (“DTE”)  2106 , strike price  2108 , bid price  2110 , asking price  2112 , spread  2114 , open interest  2116 , delta  2118 , intrinsic value  2120 , time value  2122 , maximum risk  2124  and break even price  2126 . The expiration date  2104  is the date on which the option and the right to exercise it cease to exist. The strike price  2108  (also referred to as the striking price, strike or exercise price) is the price at which the owner of an option can purchase the underlying stock. The spread  2114  is the difference between the bid price  2110  and the asking price  2112 . Open interest  2116  is the total number of outstanding option contracts on a given series. Delta  2118  is the measure of the rate of change in an option&#39;s theoretical value for a one-unit change in the price of the underlying stock. Intrinsic value  2120  is the in-the-money portion of an option&#39;s price. A call option is in-the-money if the stock price  1438  is above the strike price  2108 . The time value  2122  is the part of an option&#39;s total price that exceeds its intrinsic value  2120 . The price of an out-of-the-money option consists entirely of time value. Maximum profit  2202  is the maximum amount of money that can be gained using this option strategy. Risk  2204  is the maximum amount of money that can be lost using this option strategy. Break even  2126  is the stock price at which the option strategy results in neither a profit nor a loss. The user can select an option  2802  by clicking anywhere on the line with option data. The option data can then be sent to a trading buddy using the trading buddy button  1410 . The type of strategy (e.g., Short Call  2904 ) being displayed is shown in the header area  1402 . Other strategies can be viewed by clicking on any of the strategy buttons in the footer area  1406 . Moreover, the data being displayed can be updated by clicking the GO button  1434 . The data can also be changed to a new stock by entering the new ticker symbol  1432  and clicking the GO button  1434 .  
         [0114]    [0114]FIG. 30 is a strategy data screen  3000  for the Long Put strategy, which is accessible via button  1478 . A Long Put is the purchase of a put option, which represents the option to sell stock at a specific price (strike price  2108 ) in the future (on or before the expiration date  2104 ). Screen  2300  displays the option symbol  2102 , expiration date  2104 , number of days until expiration (“DTE”)  2106 , strike price  2108 , bid price  2110 , asking price  2112 , spread  2114 , open interest  2116 , delta  2118 , intrinsic value  2120 , time value  2122 , maximum risk  2124  and break even price  2126 . The expiration date  2104  is the date on which the option and the right to exercise it cease to exist. The strike price  2108  (also referred to as the striking price, strike or exercise price) is the price at which the owner of an option can sell the underlying stock. The spread  2114  is the difference between the bid price  2110  and the asking price  2112 . Open interest  2116  is the total number of outstanding option contracts on a given series. Delta  2118  is the measure of the rate of change in an option&#39;s theoretical value for a one-unit change in the price of the underlying stock. Intrinsic value  2120  is the in-the-money portion of an option&#39;s price. A put is in-the-money if the stock price  1438  is below the strike price  2108 . The time value  2122  is the part of an option&#39;s total price that exceeds its intrinsic value  2120 . The price of an out-of-the-money option consists entirely of time value. Maximum risk  2124  is the maximum amount of money that can be lost using this option strategy. Break even  2126  is the stock price at which the option strategy results in neither a profit nor a loss. The user can select an option  3002  by clicking anywhere on the line with option data. The option data can then be sent to a trading buddy using the trading buddy button  1410 . The type of strategy (e.g., Long Put  3004 ) being displayed is shown in the header area  1402 . Other strategies can be viewed by clicking on any of the strategy buttons in the footer area  1406 . Moreover, the data being displayed can be updated by clicking the GO button  1434 . The data can also be changed to a new stock by entering the new ticker symbol  1432  and clicking the GO button  1434 .  
         [0115]    [0115]FIG. 31 is a strategy data screen  3100  for the Bear Call Spread strategy, which is accessible via button  1480 . A Bear Call Spread is the simultaneous writing of one call option with a lower strike (sell strike price  3106 ) and the purchase of another call option with a higher strike price (buy strike price  3110 ) (e.g., writing one XYZ May  60  call and buying one XYZ May  65  call). Screen  3100  displays the buy strike symbol  3102  for the call to be written, expiration date  2104 , number of days until expiration (“DTE”)  2106 , strike price  3106  for the call to be written, bidding price  3108  for the call to be written, option symbol  3110  for the call to be purchased, strike price  3112  for the call to be purchased, asking price  3114  for the call to be purchased, maximum risk  2124 , maximum profit  2202 , percent return  2414  and break even price  2126 . The expiration date  2104  is the date on which both options and the right to exercise them cease to exist. The strike prices  3106  and  3112  (also referred to as the striking price, strike or exercise price) are the prices at which the owner of an option can purchase the underlying stock. Maximum risk  2124  is the maximum amount of money that can be lost using this option strategy. Maximum profit  2202  (typically displayed in green if a gain and red if a loss) is the maximum amount of money that can be made using this option strategy. Percent return  2414  (typically displayed in green if a gain and red if a loss) is based on the maximum profit  2202  and the maximum risk  2124 . Break even  2126  is the stock price at which the option strategy results in neither a profit nor a loss. The user can select an option  3116  by clicking anywhere on the line with option data. The option data can then be sent to a trading buddy using the trading buddy button  1410 . The type of strategy (e.g., Bear Call Spread  3118 ) being displayed is shown in the header area  1402 . Other strategies can be viewed by clicking on any of the strategy buttons in the footer area  1406 . Moreover, the data being displayed can be updated by clicking the GO button  1434 . The data can also be changed to a new stock by entering the new ticker symbol  1432  and clicking the GO button  1434 .  
         [0116]    [0116]FIG. 32 is a strategy data screen  3200  for the Bear Put Spread strategy, which is accessible via button  1482 . A Bear Put Spread is the simultaneous purchase of one put option with a higher strike (buy strike price  2404 ) and the writing of another put option with a lower strike price (sell strike price  2410 ) (e.g., buying one XYZ May  60  put and writing one XYZ May  55  put). Screen  3200  displays the buy strike symbol  2402  for the put to be purchased, expiration date  2104 , number of days until expiration (“DTE”)  2106 , strike price  2404  for the put to be purchased, asking price  2406  for the put to be purchased, option symbol  2408  for the put to be written, strike price  2410  for the put to be written, bidding price  2412  for the put to be written, maximum risk  2124 , maximum profit  2202 , percent return  2414  and break even price  2126 . The expiration date  2104  is the date on which both options and the right to exercise them cease to exist. The strike prices  2404  and  2410  (also referred to as the striking price, strike or exercise price) are the prices at which the owner of an option can sell the underlying stock. Maximum risk  2124  is the maximum amount of money that can be lost using this option strategy. Maximum profit  2202  (typically displayed in green if a gain and red if a loss) is the maximum amount of money that can be made using this option strategy. Percent return  2414  (typically displayed in green if a gain and red if a loss) is based on the maximum profit  2202  and the maximum risk  2124 . Break even  2126  is the stock price at which the option strategy results in neither a profit nor a loss. The user can select an option  3202  by clicking anywhere on the line with option data. The option data can then be sent to a trading buddy using the trading buddy button  1410 . The type of strategy (e.g., Bear Put Spread  3204 ) being displayed is shown in the header area  1402 . Other strategies can be viewed by clicking on any of the strategy buttons in the footer area  1406 . Moreover, the data being displayed can be updated by clicking the GO button  1434 . The data can also be changed to a new stock by entering the new ticker symbol  1432  and clicking the GO button  1434 .  
         [0117]    [0117]FIG. 33 is a strategy data screen  3300  for the Put Calendar Spread strategy, which is accessible via button  1484 . A Put Calendar Spread is the purchase of a farther-term put (long symbol  2506  with long expiration  2508 ) and the writing of a nearer-term put (short symbol  2502  with short expiration  2504 ) at the same strike price  2508  (e.g., buying one XYZ May  60  put (far term) and writing one XYZ March  60  put (near term)). Screen  3300  displays the short symbol  2502  for the near term put to be purchased, short expiration  2504  for the near term put to be purchased, long symbol  2506  for the far term put to be written, long expiration  2508  for the far term put to be written, number of days until expiration of the near term put to be purchased (“Short DTE”)  2510 , number of days until expiration of the far term put to be written (“Long DTE”)  2512 , strike price  2108  for both the puts, bidding price  2514  for the near term put to be purchased, asking price  2516  for the far term put to be written and maximum risk  2124 . The expiration dates  2504  and  2508  are the dates on which the respective options and the right to exercise them cease to exist. The strike price  2108  (also referred to as the striking price, strike or exercise price) is the price at which the owner of an option can sell the underlying stock. Maximum risk  2124  is the maximum amount of money that can be lost using this option strategy. The user can select an option  3302  by clicking anywhere on the line with option data. The option data can then be sent to a trading buddy using the trading buddy button  1410 . The type of strategy (e.g., Put Calendar Spread  3304 ) being displayed is shown in the header area  1402 . Other strategies can be viewed by clicking on any of the strategy buttons in the footer area  1406 . Moreover, the data being displayed can be updated by clicking the GO button  1434 . The data can also be changed to a new stock by entering the new ticker symbol  1432  and clicking the GO button  1434 .  
         [0118]    [0118]FIG. 34 is a strategy data screen  3400  for the Covered Put strategy, which is accessible via button  3402 . A Covered Put is the writing of a put option against a sufficient amount of cash or T-bills. Screen  3400  displays the option symbol  2102 , expiration date  2104 , number of days until expiration (“DTE”)  2106 , strike price  2108 , premium  2302 , percent if not called out  2304 , percent if called out  2306 , risk  2204 , break even price  2126  and distance  2308 . The expiration date  2104  is the date on which the option and the right to exercise it cease to exist. The strike price  2108  (also referred to as the striking price, strike or exercise price) is the price at which the owner of an option can sell the underlying stock. The premium  2302  is the total price of the option (intrinsic value plus time value). The percent return if not called out  2304  (typically displayed in green if a gain and red if a loss) is the percent gain/loss made if the put is exercised ((Last Price  1438 −(Strike Price  2108 +Premium  2302 ))/Last Price  1438 ). The percent return if called out  2306  (typically displayed in green if a gain and red if a loss) is the percent gain/loss made if the put is not exercised (Premium  2302 /Last Price  1438 ). Risk  2204  is the amount of money that can be lost using this strategy. Break even  2126  is the stock price at which the option strategy results in neither a profit nor a loss. Distance  2308  is the difference between the last price  1438  and the break even price  2126 ). The user can select an option  3404  by clicking anywhere on the line with option data. The option data can then be sent to a trading buddy using the trading buddy button  1410 . The type of strategy (e.g., Covered Put  3406 ) being displayed is shown in the header area  1402 . Other strategies can be viewed by clicking on any of the strategy buttons in the footer area  1406 . Moreover, the data being displayed can be updated by clicking the GO button  1434 . The data can also be changed to a new stock by entering the new ticker symbol  1432  and clicking the GO button  1434 .  
         [0119]    [0119]FIG. 35 is a strategy data screen  3500  for the Bull Put Spread strategy, which is accessible via button  3502 . A Bull Put Spread is the simultaneous writing of one put option with a higher strike (sell strike price  3106 ) and the purchase of another put option with a lower strike price (buy strike price  3110 ) (e.g., writing one XYZ May  60  put and buying one XYZ May  55  put). Screen  3500  displays the buy strike symbol  3102  for the put to be written, expiration date  2104 , number of days until expiration (“DTE”)  2106 , strike price  3106  for the put to be written, bidding price  3108  for the put to be written, option symbol  3110  for the put to be purchased, strike price  3112  for the put to be purchased, asking price  3114  for the put to be purchased, maximum risk  2124 , maximum profit  2202 , percent return  2414  and break even price  2126 . The expiration date  2104  is the date on which both options and the right to exercise them cease to exist. The strike prices  3106  and  3112  (also referred to as the striking price, strike or exercise price) are the prices at which the owner of an option can sell the underlying stock. Maximum risk  2124  is the maximum amount of money that can be lost using this option strategy. Maximum profit  2202  (typically displayed in green if a gain and red if a loss) is the maximum amount of money that can be made using this option strategy. Percent return  2414  (typically displayed in green if a gain and red if a loss) is based on the maximum profit  2202  and the maximum risk  2124 . Break even  2126  is the stock price at which the option strategy results in neither a profit nor a loss. The user can select an option  3504  by clicking anywhere on the line with option data. The option data can then be sent to a trading buddy using the trading buddy button  1410 . The type of strategy (e.g., Bull Put Spread  3506 ) being displayed is shown in the header area  1402 . Other strategies can be viewed by clicking on any of the strategy buttons in the footer area  1406 . Moreover, the data being displayed can be updated by clicking the GO button  1434 . The data can also be changed to a new stock by entering the new ticker symbol  1432  and clicking the GO button  1434 .  
         [0120]    FIGS.  36 A- 36 C display the processing flows for the options of screens FIGS.  14 - 35 . Application Navigation  3626  is the same in each of the system screens. Selecting View Strategies Screen  3628  displays the screen shown in FIG. 15. Selecting Trading Buddy Screen  3630  displays the screen shown in FIG. 16. Selecting View Parameters Screen  3632  displays the screen shown in FIG. 17. Selecting View Buy/Sell Pressure Indicator Screens  3634  displays one of the screens shown in FIGS.  18 - 20  depending on the selection made by the investor, enabling its associated processing of FIG. 36B. Selecting View Specific Strategy Data Screens  3636  displays one of the screens shown in FIGS.  21 - 35  depending on the selection made by the investor, enabling the associated processing of FIG. 36C.  
         [0121]    [0121]FIG. 36A focuses on the application start-up of this embodiment of the present invention. The present invention starts in block  3602  where the investor  150 - 160  (FIG. 1) connects to the authentication server (options market  120  FIG. 1) in block  3606 . The specific servers that may be connected to and the details regarding the connection to be established are typically setup during the installation process of the software. If the connection is made, as determined in decision block  3608 , and the auto login is not enabled, as determined in decision block  3610 , the present invention prompts the investor to login in block  3612 , which preferably supplies investment information updates in real-time or near-real-time. If the login is successful, as determined in decision block  3612 , the application downloads investment information (data) in block  3620  and displays the Initial Screen (FIG. 14) in block  3622 . If, however, the connection was not made, as determined in decision block  3608 , the process will periodically attempt to connect to the authentication server in the background in block  3624  and displays the Initial Screen (FIG. 14) in block  3622 . Thereafter, the investor is free to navigate through the application in block  3626 . If, however, the auto login feature was enabled, as determined in decision block  3610 , the investor&#39;s login information will be entered and the login will be automatically attempted, and if successful, as determined in decision block  3614 , the investment information (data) will be downloaded in block  3620 . If, however, the login was not successful, as determined in decision block  3614 , and a maximum number of login attempts have not been made, as determined in decision block  3616 , the investor is prompted to reenter the login information in block  3612 . If, however, the maximum number of login attempts has been made, as determined in decision block  3616 , the application ends in block  3618 .  
         [0122]    The processing of the View Buy/Sell Pressure Indicator Screens  3634  (See FIGS.  18 - 20 ) is shown in FIG. 36B. The Buy/Sell Pressure Indicator Screens  1800  (FIG. 18) is displayed in block  3640 . As previously described, the investor can navigate through the application via block  3626  to the various screens  3628 ,  3630 ,  3632 ,  3634 ,  3636  or end the application in block  3618 . The investor can also modify the charts displayed on the Buy/Sell Pressure Indicator Screens  1800  (FIG. 18) using the chart data operations in block  3642 . More specifically, the investor can update the data in block  3644 , select a new chart interval in block  3652  or select a chart point in block  3654 . The system will periodically update the data by automatically querying the server in block  3644  and updating the stored data for all time intervals in block  3646 . The stored data is then accessed for the selected interval in block  3648 , the screen data is updated in block  3650  and the Buy/Sell Pressure Indicator Screen is displayed in block  3640 . The investor may select a new chart interval in block  3652 , whereby the system will access the stored data for the selected interval in block  3648 , update the screen data in block  3640  and display the Buy/Sell Pressure Indicator Screen in block  3640 . The investor can also select a chart point in block  3652 , whereby the system will get the stored data for the selected point in block  3656  and display the data for the selected point in block  3658 .  
         [0123]    The processing of the View Specific Strategy Data Screens  3636  (See FIGS.  21 - 35 ) is shown in FIG. 36C. The Specific Strategy Data Screen (FIG. 21- 35 ) is displayed in block  3670 . As previously described, the investor can navigate through the application via block  3626  to the various screens  3628 ,  3630 ,  3632 ,  3634 ,  3636  or end the application in block  3618 . The investor can also view trading strategies and trade using the investment operations in block  3672 . More specifically, the investor can initiate a trade in block  3674  or change the investment being displayed in block  3676 . To initiate a trade in block  3674 , the investor selects either a real trade in block  3678  or a paper trade in block  3680 . The process flows for the real trade  3648  and paper trade  3650  are identical except for the data used and the calculations performed. These calculations were previously described above. In order to perform the calculations, the system must have trade information with which to operate. Therefore, the investor has to supply trade information in block  3682 . If the investor has not input trade information, as determined in decision block  3684 , the system continues to display the current Specific Strategy Data Screen in block  3670 . If, however, the investor has entered the trade information, the system calculates the trade results in block  3686 , updates the data in block  3688  and displays the Specific Strategy Data Screen in block  3670 . If the investor wants to change the investment being displayed in block  3676 , the investor enters the new investment in block  3676  and the system updates the data in block  36882  and displays the Specific Strategy Data Screen in block  3670 .  
         [0124]    The present invention can be implemented on a computer having the following specifications:  
                                       Operating System:   Windows 98/ME/2000/XP/NT 4.0 (Service Pack 3)       RAM:   Minimum - 64 MB           Recommended - 128 MB       Processor:   Minimum - 333 MHz Pentium II           Recommended - 500 MHz Pentium III or           compatible       CD-Rom       Available Hard Disk   25 MB       Space:       Internet Connection:   DSL, Cable modem, T1, or ISDN is the preferred           connection. 56K modem will work, but a connect           speed of over 49K is recommended. You may           experience slow throughput and updates with a           connect speed lower then 49K.       Data Feed:   Level I or Level II                  
 
         [0125]    It will be apparent that other programs are readily devised to create charts of the type described and that some commercially available charting programs can be adapted to display only the charts and not the trade indicators. It is not intended that the invention be limited to the particular format shown in FIGS. 1 through 36. As described above, Applicant&#39;s invention comprises the development of indicators and their display in such a manner that traders can anticipate price trends and trades using the cross over method signaling buys and sells opportunities.