Abstract:
New and improved methods and systems for creating collared option financial hedge products enable multiple customers to pool their assets into a single product. In contrast the prior art where such products were ‘tailor-made’ to individual investors, demand is collected across multiple investors and one or more collared option financial hedge products are created. Multiple customers are then permitted to participate in each product. Such hedge products are thus more readily available to a larger group of customers.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to a system and method for providing a financial investment product and more particularly to a system and method for providing an improved financial derivative product. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   There are several well-recognized situations in which an investor may own, or be “long” in, a substantial, highly valued quantity of a single stock, also known as a concentrated equity position, yet be unable or unwilling to sell that stock for a lengthy period of time. 
   Investors may develop a concentrated equity position, for example, through the long-term bullish performance of an investment. The position may be acquired through an inheritance or the receipt of a gift of a large quantity of a single stock. Employees may come into the position through the receipt of appreciating stock options or through a merger or acquisition event where there is a stock-for-stock payout. 
   A concentrated equity position may be illiquid, for example, because the stock is unregistered or its sale is regulated or contractually restricted. Tax liabilities may discourage a stock sale. 
   An investor in a concentrated, illiquid equity position runs the substantial risk that the value of the stock will diminish before his position becomes liquid. If the value of the stock drops before an investor is able or willing to sell the stock, a substantial amount of money may be lost. Hedging strategies based on the sales and/or purchases of stock derivatives are a recognized way of minimizing the risk associated with an illiquid stock position. A purchased, or “long”, put option minimizes an investor&#39;s downside risk by providing a floor, or put “strike price”, at which the investor may sell the stock until the put option&#39;s “expiration date”. Combined with a long stock position, the purchase of a put option limits an investor&#39;s downside risk per share to the put strike price less the put option cost. 
   Call options are another common stock derivative providing the right to buy a stock (for the buyer of the option) or the obligation to sell a stock (for the seller of the option) at a call strike price through an expiration date. While the purchase of call options is a common strategy for investors, what is of particular interest with respect to the present invention is the sale of a call option by the hypothetical, illiquid investor described above. When an investor owns the underlying stock for which the call option is being sold, the call option is said to be “covered.” Covered call options minimize the option seller&#39;s downside risk because the owned stock can be liquidated to cover the exercise of the call option by the buyer. Alternatively, the call option may be covered with cash. Covered call options, however, limit the call option seller&#39;s upside. If, in fact, the value of the underlying stock rises, the call option seller is obligated to sell the stock to the call option buyer, on or before the call option expiration date, at the call strike price. 
   Revisiting again the situation of the concentrated equity, illiquid investor, this investor may desire to purchase put options in order to minimize the downside risk during the period that the stock is not liquid. However, exchange-listed put options are both expensive and also relatively short in duration. Exchange-listed put options, as traded on the open market, have expiration dates no longer than about six months forward of the purchase date. The further out the expiration date, the more expensive the put options become. Customized, long-term put options are available at substantial cost to hedge concentrated, long-term equity positions. They are, however, prohibitively expensive. They are also generally only available to high-net-worth individuals hedging a substantial quantity of stock. 
   One way of paying the cost of a put option is to simultaneously sell a call option, in this case a covered call option as described above. This hedge strategy, simultaneously purchasing a put option while selling a covered call option, is termed a “collar.” It will be understood that the put options in a collared option position limits the downside risk to the equity holder, while the cost of the put option may be covered through the sale of the call option. Generally, for the same time periods, the income from a call option at 1.48 times the current underlying stock price equals the cost of a put option. at 0.95 times the current underlying stock price. 
   It will be understood that, just as a put option limits the downside of an underlying stock position to the strike price of the put option, the sale of or obligation of a call option limits the upside of the underlying stock position to the strike price of the call option. The stock, or equivalent cash, must be delivered by the seller of a call option if the actual stock price exceeds the call option strike price before the call option expiration date. This is, however, an acceptable risk to an investor holding an illiquid, concentrated equity position. Such an investor is typically more concerned with losing real current value than surrendering any potential increase in value. 
   Given an understanding of a collared option hedge strategy, the hedge position is difficult if not impossible to purchase for a high-value, high-concentration equity position as a standard product. Due to the typical long-term position of the high-value, concentrated equity holder, collars for such investors are typically available only as special-purpose products through financial service firms. It will be appreciated that, given the right pricing model, a collared option hedge position can be a profitable product for a seller. However, such products require a substantial amount of labor to both create and to manage for profit. It will be understood that, given the right pricing structure and active management of a bank&#39;s position in the hedged stock, a collared option product can be a profitable financial product for a bank. In fact, many banks offer such products. However, the set-up and management of such products is complex and expensive. 
   Because of the complex nature of creating and managing a collared option hedge product, sellers of this type of product will only sell them to concentrated equity investors holding a very high value of stock. Further, because of the risk that the investor may have to pay cash to cover a call option should the underlying stock continue to be illiquid for an extended period of time, such products are typically only available to high-net-worth individuals. 
   Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a collared option hedge product that is more affordable to and readily available to investors than those products currently available today. 
   With the prolific spread of retail trading systems and the long-term bullish outlook of the market, there are many more investors today than have existed in the past. For example, stock options have become a standard form of employee compensation, making many more high-concentration equity investors than have been typical in the past. Affordable, available stock trading systems have increased the ‘ordinary’ family&#39;s investment in the market, increasing the likelihood of concentrated equity positions to those who may not have even traded stocks some decades ago. In the ‘new’ investment environment, a smaller concentrated equity position may still constitute a substantial quantity of the wealth of the owner. 
   Under the current state of the business, collared option hedge products are generally too expensive or otherwise not available to these ‘new’ investors. The present inventors have determined that making collared option hedge products more available would be beneficial to the investors and could be done in a manner profitable to the provider of the products themselves. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with the present invention there is provided new and improved systems and methods that enable concentrated-position equity holders to pool their assets for participation in a financial derivative product. 
   More particularly, there are provided systems and methods for establishing and facilitating collared option financial hedge products each having multiple participants. 
   In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a system and a method for establishing a derivative financial product, the method comprising the steps of: storing on a computer information defining a collared option hedge product for a selected stock; collecting demand for the collared option hedge product from a plurality of potential customers; allocating the collected demand for the collared option hedge product amongst a plurality of customers; and storing the allocated demand on the computer. 
   In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a system and method for establishing a derivative financial product, the system comprising the steps of: collecting preliminary demand information for a collared option hedge product for a stock from a plurality of potential customers; creating, based on the step of collecting preliminary demand information, the collared option hedge product having product features accommodating a plurality of customers; and storing the product features for the at least one collared option hedge product on the computer. 
   In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a system and method of investing in a derivative financial product, the system comprising the steps of: receiving information defining a collared option hedge product for a selected stock; requesting participation in the collared option hedge product for a desired quantity of stock; receiving authorization to participate in the collared option hedge product with other investors for an allocated quantity of stock; and accepting the authorization. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the detailed description of the invention when read in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which: 
       FIG. 1  comprises a chart illustrating a typical covered stock position collared with both put and call options; 
       FIG. 2  comprises a block diagram of a computer system configured in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a table illustrating one exemplary form of a product database in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a table illustrating one exemplary form of a customer database in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a flow chart illustrating a process for establishing one or more derivative products in accordance with the present invention; and 
       FIG. 6  is a flow chart illustrating a process for allotting the derivative products established in  FIG. 5  amongst multiple customers. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Description of a Collared Option Product 
   With reference now to  FIG. 1  there is shown a profit &amp; loss (P&amp;L) graph  10  for an exemplary stock position hedged, or collared, with both an exemplary put option and an exemplary call option. 
   For purposes of illustration it will be assumed that the owner of the stock was awarded 1,000,000 shares of ABC stock at a strike price of $1.00 per share, for example as compensation. It will be further assumed that the owner of the stock is in a ‘lock-up’ situation where either federal laws or contractual relationships prohibit him from selling any of the stock. Further for purposes of illustration, it will be assumed that the market position of the stock is currently $50.00 per share. Hence, less the $1.00 strike price, the owner of the stock has a ‘paper’ value of $49,000,000.00. This is thus an example of the highly concentrated, illiquid stock position described above. 
   Examining now the P&amp;L graph  10  of  FIG. 1 , it will be seen that the solid line labeled “stock” represents a P&amp;L position for a holder of one million (1,000,000) shares of ABC stock having a current market value of $50.00 per share. The profit/loss dollar figures on the Y-axis are thus in thousands of dollars. Hence, in a straightforward manner well understood to those skilled in the art and for the moment ignoring the derivative products, while the stock remains at $50.00 per share, the P&amp;L graph shows a value of $0.00. That is, the owner has neither made nor lost money or, in our example, the owner has a current illiquid paper worth of $49,000,000.00. 
   For every dollar the stock declines in value in the market, the P&amp;L graph shows a decrease in value to the owner, or loss, of $1,000,000.00. Conversely, for every dollar the stock increases in value in the market, the P&amp;L graph shows an increase in value to the owner of $1,000,000.00. If, for example, the value of the stock should drop to $1.00 per share, the owner would lose the entirety of his $49,000,000.00 position in the stock. The owner is thus highly motivated to purchase a derivative product that hedges his potential loss in the market. 
   Examining first the put option, indicated on the graph as the short dotted line, in order to diminish the risk of a downside loss, a put option having a strike price of $45.00 per share has been purchased at a cost of $2.00 per share. Should the price of ABC stock drop below $45/share during the life of the option contract, the put option provides the owner the right to put the stock to the seller of the option at the $45.00/share strike price. Thus, with this put option, the stock owner&#39;s total downside risk during the life of the contract is the $5.00 share difference between the market price and strike price (i.e. $50.00−$45.00=$5.00) plus the option cost per share of $2.00 for a total downside risk of a $7,000,000.00 decrease in his current paper worth. 
   Thus for a cost of $2.00 per option, or $2,000,000.00, the stock owner has significantly capped his downside risk. 
   However, since ABC stock is illiquid, the $2,000,000.00 cost may be prohibitive. Accordingly, in a collared option hedge product a call option is simultaneously sold to cover or substantially cover the cost of the put option. In the present example, the call option, represented by the short, dotted line, has a strike price of $53.00 per share at a cost of $2.00 per share. The benefit of selling the call option is that the revenue recognized can offset the cost of the previously described put option. One of the detriments is that the upside of the stock owner is now limited to the call strike price of $53.00 per share, less the call cost of $2.00 per share, for an upside cap of $51.00 per share. Another detriment is that the stock owner may receive a call from the call option owner while his position in the stock is illiquid. 
   Examining the totality of the collared option product described above, it will be seen that given the low strike price and high current market value of the stock, the downside limitations provided by the put option are very significant to the owner while, conversely, the upside limitations are minimal given the paper value already held by the owner. Thus, the cap imposed by the call option is not of great concern relative to the ability to use the revenue from the call option to cover the significant value afforded by the put option. Further, arrangements can be made to pay a call from the call option owner in cash so as to avoid the liquidity issue, or even to defer cash payment in favor of a note having a favorable interest rate payable at such time that the stock trading restrictions are no longer in place. 
   As described above, while collared options are theoretically available to all investors, practical problems prevent them from being easily acquired by highly concentrated, illiquid stock owners. Most particularly, the average life of an over-the-counter option contract is relatively short, measured in months. A lock-up due to federal regulations or a contractual agreement may last from six months to several years. Further, the sheer cots and complexities of purchasing derivative products of this magnitude discourage individual investors from constructing their own product. 
   In fact, the complexities associated with creating a collared option product are so great that even financial institutions such as brokerages and investment banks have here-to-for limited the availability of such products to small numbers of highly-concentrated stock owners. In essence, a custom product has been created and sold to selected, individual customers. As will be seen from this detailed description of the invention, the present invention enables investors to pool their options and obtain otherwise difficult or unavailable access to these products. 
   Description of the System 
   With reference now to  FIG. 2 , one exemplary computer system  20  is shown that is functional to implement the present invention. Computer system  20  is seen to include a processor  22  connected to a data input/output device  24  and a database  26 . Processor  22  comprises a standard computing system such as an Intel™ microprocessor-based system running a Microsoft™ Windows™ operating system. Data input/output device  24  comprises a conventional display terminal and keyboard and database  26  comprises a conventional storage device comprising an appropriate combination of magnetic, optical and semiconductor storage medium. Processor  24  further includes a conventional network connection (not shown) for providing a communications interface to other computing systems. 
   Database  28  is seen to include a derivative product database  30  for storing data relating to financial hedge products described below, a customer database  40  for storing customer data in a manner described below and a program  28  for matching customers and products. Databases  30  and  40  can be implemented using any commercially available database program, for example Microsoft Access™ or one of the many functionally equivalent programs known in the art. Similarly, a computer implementation of the matching program can be implemented using any conventional programming language, for example C or Fortran, or may be implemented in a conventional spreadsheet, for example Microsoft™ EXCEL™. 
   Description of the Databases 
   With reference now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown an exemplary implementation of derivative product database  30  including four data records indicated at  32 A-D, each containing date regarding a particular financial hedge product, each product being described by the data contained in six fields indicated at  34 A-F. 
   Data record  32 A is seen to describe a first collared option hedge product for ABC stock, indicated in product identifier field  34 A as “ABC HEDGE I.” Data record  32 B indicates a second hedge product for holders of ABC stock. Data records  32 C and  32 D indicate first and second collared option hedge products for holders of DEF stock, respectively. 
   Data field  34 B contains a stock identifier, while data field  34 C contains detailed terms and conditions relating to each hedge product. Detailed terms and conditions may include, for example and without limitation, costs and strike prices on put and call options, the time frame of the products and the underlying options, management costs and fees associated with participation in the product and a maximum number of stock shares to be accommodated in a product. Data fields  34 D and  34 E contain opening and closing subscription dates, respectively, for the corresponding financial hedge products. Data field  34 F includes a list of participants participating in each of the various financial hedge products, each list being specific to the corresponding product and being developed in accordance with the processes described below. 
   With reference now to  FIG. 4 , an exemplary implementation of customer database  40  is seen to include four data records, indicated at  42 A-D, each record containing data relating to a particular customer. Each data record is seen to contain 6 data fields, the respective data fields indicated at  44 -F. 
   Data field  44 A is seen to contain a particular customer identifier, for example an account number, while data field  44 B contains additional identifying information such as customer name and address information. Data field  44 C contains a product identifier indicating the financial hedge product in which the customer participates, while data field  44 D identifies the size of the customer participation by number of shares. Data field  44 E contains data describing the particular stock ownership information relevant to each customer, for example including total shares owned, lock-up or other relevant contractual or legal information and any additional information relevant to tracking the customer&#39;s participation in the financial hedge product. Data field  44 F includes fee information relating to the respective fees charged each customer. 
   It will be appreciated that the data in customer identifier field  44 A of customer database  40  may be used to populate participants field  34 F of derivative product database  30 , thereby enabling the cross-referencing of the databases. Similarly product identifiers contained in field  34 A of derivative product database  30  may be used to populate the product identifier of customer database  40 . 
   It will be understood that numerous other embodiments for the databases, all contemplated by the present invention, will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
   Description of System Operation 
   The operation of product and program matching software  28  ( FIG. 2 ) will now be described with respect to  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
   With reference to  FIG. 5 , a process  50  is shown for establishing the terms and conditions of collared option financial hedge products in accordance with the present invention. Initially, demand is collected from multiple potential customers to determine their financial position and their need for relevant products. With reference to customer database  40 , this demand data can include information relating to a customer&#39;s particular position in a stock, i.e. the number of shares held and information on rights and restrictions. 
   It will be appreciated that the collection of demand from multiple customers for the purpose of developing a pooled customer product is a significant improvement over the prior art, wherein such products were developed only in a highly-tailored manner for individual customers. 
   Subsequent to the collection of demand data, parameters are established for a product (step  54 ), the product designed to accommodate multiple customers. If demand is met (step  56 ), then the process of creating derivative products in accordance with the present invention ends (step  58 ). If demand is not met with the current product set, then additional products may be developed (step  59 ). It will be understood that the invention contemplates the creation of any number of products. 
   With reference now to  FIG. 6 , there is shown a process  60  for subscribing customers to particular financial products. 
   Initially, final demand is collected from customers (step  62 ) to determine if interest or financial position has changed during the creation of the products. Those customers desiring to pool their stock in one or more of the financial products created above are matched with the best product (step  64 ) until the determined close date for that product is met (step  66 ). 
   Continuing with reference to  FIG. 6 , each product is examined to determine if the participating customers have over-subscribed the product with stock (step  68 ). If the product is not over-subscribed, then it is closed (step  70 ). If the product is over-subscribed, then an appropriate action is taken. In the described embodiment of the invention, each customer&#39;s participation is reduced proportionately to the percentage of the over-subscription. For example, if the product is over-subscribed by a factor of 10% too much stock, each customer&#39;s stock participation is reduced by 10%. 
   It will be appreciated that many different methodologies for dealing with over-subscription will be apparent to those skilled in the art, for example denying participation to the last-in customer(s). 
   There has thus been provided new and improved systems for creating and facilitating participation in new and improved financial hedge products, more particularly collared option hedge products that accommodate multiple, pooled investors. The invention has particular application in the financial industries. 
   Numerous changes, modifications, and improvements falling within the scope of the invention will now occur to those skilled in the art.