Patent Publication Number: US-2015073972-A1

Title: Systems and methods for trades priced relative to a reference benchmark value associated with an underlying index future

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates generally to the field of electronic trading systems and in particular to facilitating trades priced relative to a reference benchmark value associated with an underlying index future. 
     BACKGROUND 
     An exchange may facilitate a customer&#39;s ability to invest assets in ways that track the value of an underlying index. For example, a pension fund manager may want to invest assets such that the return on investment will closely track the value of a stock index. Moreover, in some cases an investor might want to avoid directly purchasing the stock shares. One approach is to invest in futures tied to the index (instead of actually purchasing the stocks in the index), which tend to closely track the value of the underlying index. Since 2011, Block Trade at Index Close (“BIC”) type trades associated with the NYSE Liffe U.S. have provided customers the ability to manage the tracking impact of executing large orders relative to the underlying index level by explicitly tying the transaction price to the closing level of the underlying index. For example, mini-MSCI Europe, Australia and Far East (“EAFE”) and mini MSCI Emerging Markets index futures are associated with a robust, vibrant market having substantial volumes and open interest which have proven to be popular with investors (and have been associated with $14 billion notional on over 500 transactions). Typically, block trades are executed and reported to the exchange when a final price and quantity are determined. 
     Difficulties can arise however, when an international index future (e.g., the EAFE and emerging market index futures) is associated with multiple time zones. For example, because different markets are opening and closing at different times, the final price and/or quantity of a trade might not be known until one or two days alter the parties initiate the trade (e.g., by agreeing to a basis value for the trade). Such a situation can cause problems if trade prices are published and/or settled before the final price is actually known. 
     It would therefore be desirable to provide automatic and accurate systems and methods to facilitate trades priced relative to a reference benchmark value associated with an underlying index future. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     According to some embodiments, systems, methods, apparatus, computer program code and means may be provided to facilitate trades priced relative to a reference benchmark value associated with an underlying index future. In some embodiments, an indication of a trade priced relative to a reference benchmark value associated with an underlying index future may be received when a basis of the trade is agreed to by parties of the trade. Moreover, the indication may be received at least one day prior to a determination of a final price and quantity of the trade. The trade might create, according to some embodiments, a derivative, such as a future, an option on a future, or a combination of put and call options. The trade may be reported and cleared, and it may then be arranged for the trade to physically settle into the underlying index future. According to some embodiments, an indication of the trade may be transmitted. 
     Some embodiments provide: means for receiving an indication of a trade priced relative to a reference benchmark value associated with an underlying index future when a basis of the trade is agreed to by parties of the trade at least one day prior to a determination of a final price and quantity of the trade; means for reporting the trade; means for clearing the trade; and means for arranging for the trade to physically settle into the underlying index future. 
     A technical effect of some embodiments of the disclosure is an improved and computerized method of executing trades priced relative to a reference benchmark value associated with an underlying index future. With these and other advantages and features that will become hereinafter apparent, a more complete understanding of the nature of the disclosure can be obtained by referring to the following detailed description and to the drawings appended hereto. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is block diagram of a system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is an example of a trades priced relative to a reference benchmark value futures system in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram of a trades priced relative to a reference benchmark value futures method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is an example of potential trade at index close specifications in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a margin analysis for a trade at index close future according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 7  is an example of a trades priced relative to a reference benchmark value options system in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram of a trades priced relative to a reference benchmark value options method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 9  is an example of potential trade at index close options specifications in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a margin analysis for a trade at index close option according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 11  is an example of a trades priced relative to a reference benchmark value combination of put and call options system in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 12  is a diagram of a trades priced relative to a reference benchmark value combination of put and call options method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 13  is an example of potential trade at index close combination of put and call options specifications in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a margin analysis for a trade at index close combination of put and call options according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 15  is block diagram of a trade priced relative to a reference benchmark value platform according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 16  is a tabular portion of a trade database according to some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     An exchange may facilitate a customer&#39;s ability to invest assets in ways that track the value of an underlying index, For example, a pension fund manager may want to invest assets such that the return on investment will closely track the value of a stock index. Moreover, in some cases an investor might want to avoid directly purchasing the stock shares. One approach is to invest in futures tied to the index (instead of actually purchasing the stocks in the index), which tend to closely track the value of the underlying index. Typically, block trades are executed and reported to the exchange when a final price and quantity are determined. 
     Difficulties can arise however, when an international index future is associated with multiple time zones. For example, because different markets are opening and closing at different times, the final price and/or quantity of a trade might not be known until one or two days after the parties initiate the trade (e.g., by agreeing to a basis value for the trade). Such a situation can cause problems if trade prices are published and/or settled before the final price is actually known. 
     It would therefore be desirable to provide automatic and accurate systems and methods to facilitate trades priced relative to a reference benchmark value associated with an underlying index future. To facilitate such goals,  FIG. 1  is block diagram of a system  100  according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In particular, the system  100  includes a trade priced relative to a reference benchmark value platform  150  that receives an indication of a selected benchmark to be referenced in the future. The trade priced relative to a reference benchmark value platform  150  might be, for example, associated with a Personal Computer (“PC”), laptop computer, an enterprise server, a server farm, and/or a database or similar storage devices. The trade priced relative to a reference benchmark value platform  150  may, according to some embodiments, be associated with a financial institution or exchange. 
     According to some embodiments, an “automated” trade priced relative to a reference benchmark value platform  150  may facilitate trading index future instruments. As used herein, the term “automated” may refer to, for example, actions that can be performed with little or no human intervention. 
     As used herein, devices, including those associated with the trade priced relative to a reference benchmark value platform  150  and any other device described herein, may exchange information via any communication network which may be one or more of a Local Area Network (LAN), a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), a proprietary network, a financial information network, a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) network, a Bluetooth network, a wireless LAN network, and/or an Internet Protocol (IP) network such as the Internet, an intranet, or an extranet. Note that any devices described herein may communicate via one or more such communication networks. 
     The trade priced relative to a reference benchmark value platform  150  may also access a trade database  140 . The trade database  140  might be operated, for example, by a government agency or a news service. The trade database  140  may be locally stored or reside remote from the trade priced relative to a reference benchmark value platform  150 . As will be described further herein, the trade database  140  may be used by the trade priced relative to a reference benchmark value platform  150  to help facilitate trading index future instruments. 
     Although a single trade priced relative to a reference benchmark value platform  150  is shown in  FIG. 1 , any number of such devices may be included. Moreover, various devices described herein might be combined according to embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, in some embodiments, the trade priced relative to a reference benchmark value platform  150  and the trade database  140  might be co-located and/or may comprise a single apparatus. According to some embodiments, the trades priced relative to a reference benchmark value platform  150  receives trade information (e.g., from an administrator or from another device) and provides information to an external platform  160  (which might be associated with, for example, a pension fund manager). Moreover, the trade priced relative to a reference benchmark value platform  150  may automatically and directly output data to one or more external systems, such as report generators, email servers, workflow applications, etc. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a method that might be performed, for example, by some or all of the elements of the system  100  described with respect to  FIG. 1  according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The flow charts described herein do not imply a fixed order to the steps, and embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced in any order that is practicable. Note that any of the methods described herein may be performed by hardware, software, or any combination of these approaches. For example, a computer-readable storage medium may store thereon instructions that when executed by a machine result in performance according to any of the embodiments described herein. 
     At S 210 , an indication of a trade priced relative to a “reference benchmark value associated with an underlying index future may be received when a basis of the transaction is agreed to by parties of the transaction prior to a determination of a final price and quantity of the trade. As used herein, the phrase “reference benchmark value” may be associated with, for example, an index close, an index open, an exchange daily settlement price, and a volume weighted average price over time. Moreover the basis of the trade may be agreed to by parties of the trade at least one day prior to the determination of the final price and quantity of the trade. 
     At S 220 , the trade may be reported. At S 230 , the trade may be cleared. At S 240 , it may be arranged for the trade to physically settle into the underlying index future. As will be described, embodiments of the present disclosure might be associated with any trade priced relative to a reference benchmark value derivatives approach, including a trade priced relative to a reference benchmark value futures approach, options approach, and/or a combination of put and call options approach. Moreover, the derivative created by the trade may be listed on a central order book and/or be available for block trading. Further note that some embodiments may be associated with a mini-MSCI “EAFE” (Europe, Australasia and Far East) index future arid/or a mini-MSCI Emerging Markets (“EM”) index future. 
     Some embodiments described herein use “futures” to facilitate block trades priced relative to a reference benchmark value associated with an underlying index future. That is, a future-on-a-future may be utilized. As used herein, the term “future” may refer to, for example, an agreement between two parties to buy or sell a specified asset for a price agreed upon today (the futures price or strike price) with delivery and payment occurring at a specified future date. 
       FIG. 3  is an example of a trades priced relative to a reference benchmark value futures system  300  in accordance with some embodiments. As in  FIG. 1 , a trade priced relative to a reference benchmark value platform  350  may receive an indication of a trade priced relative to a reference benchmark value associated with an underlying index future. According to this embodiment, after the trade clears  352 , the future settles  354  and information about the trade may be stored in a futures database  340  and/or be transmitted to a reporting platform  360 .  FIG. 4  is a diagram of a trades priced relative to a reference benchmark value futures method  400  according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. At  5410 , an indication of a trade priced relative to a at reference benchmark value associated with an underlying index future may be received when a basis of the transaction is agreed to by parties of the transaction at least one day prior to a determination of a final price and quantity of the trade. At  5420 , the trade may dear and the future may settle into the underlying index future at  5430 .  FIG. 5  is an example of potential trade at index close futures specifications  500  for both a mini-MSCI EAFE IC future  510  and a mini-MSCI Emerging Markets IC future  520  in accordance with some embodiments. Although the example of  FIG. 5  is associated with a trade at index close, note that other types of trades priced relative to reference benchmark values may be used instead. 
     Consider, for example, a mini-MSCI EAFE trade at index close future example. On Monday at 3:30 PM New York time, a buyer and seller trade 141 EAFE IC futures at 106.32 (implying a basis of 6.32 and notional value of $316 per contract). The trade clears and settles at a basis of 6.32. According to some embodiments, the trade is marked to market at the closing basis settlement value. The next day&#39;s official closing index level of 1,409.13 is available at 2:00 PM New York time on Tuesday. On Tuesday evening, the EAFE IC future may settle to a value of 100 and creates a position in 141 mini MSCI EAFE futures (ticker “MFS”) having an Exchange Delivery Settlement Price (“EDSP”) of 1,409.13. 
     As another example, consider a mini-MSCI EM trade at index close future transaction. On Monday at 1:30 PM New York time, a buyer and a seller trade 334 EM IC futures at 97.74 (implying a basis of −2.26 and notional value of −$203 per contract). The trade clears and settles at a basis of −2.26. The trade is marked to market at closing basis settlement value. The next day&#39;s official closing index level of 900.11 is available at 6:30 PM NY time on Tuesday. On Tuesday evening, the EM IC future settles to a value of 100 and creates a position in 334 mini-MSCI EM futures (MME) at ED SP of 900.11. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a margin analysis  600  for a trade at index close future according to some embodiments. The analysis  600  compares an existing trade at index close process  610  with a trade at index close futures process  620 . In the example of  FIG. 6 , on day “T” it is agreed that a basis of +6.32 will be established for a trade against the next day&#39;s index close in EAFE. Moreover, on day T+1, the index closes at 1409.13 (implying a trade price of 1,415.45). As can be seen, the existing process  610  is associated with a single transaction on day T+1 while the futures process  620  has transactions on both day T and day T+1. 
       FIGS. 3 through 6  describe the use of a future to facilitate trades priced relative to a reference benchmark value associated with an underlying index future. According to other embodiments, other types of derivatives may be used instead. For example, “options” may be used to facilitate trades priced relative to a reference benchmark value associated with an underlying index future. That is, an option-on-a-future may be utilized. As used herein, the term “option” may refer to, for example, an agreement which gives an owner the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell an underlying asset or instrument at a specified strike price on or before a specified date. 
       FIG. 7  is an example of a trades priced relative to a reference benchmark value options system  700  in accordance with some embodiments. As in  FIG. 1 , a trade priced relative to a reference benchmark value platform  750  may receive an indication of a trade priced relative to a reference benchmark value associated with an underlying index future. According to this embodiment, after the trade clears  752 , an option settles  754  and information about the trade may be stored in an options database  740  and/or be transmitted to a reporting platform  760 .  FIG. 8  is a diagram of a trades priced relative to a reference benchmark value options method  800  according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. At S 810 , an indication of a trades priced relative to a reference benchmark value associated with an underlying index future may be received when a basis of the transaction is agreed to by parties of the trade at least one day prior to a determination of a final price and quantity of the trade. At S 820 , the trade may clear and an option may settle into the underlying index future at S 830 .  FIG. 9  is an example of potential trade at index close options specifications  900  for both a mini-MSCI EAFE IC option  910  and a mini-MSCI Emerging Markets IC option  920  in accordance with some embodiments. Although the example of  FIG. 9  is associated with a trade at index close, note that other types of reference benchmark values may be used instead. 
     For example, on Monday at 3:30 PM New York time, a basis buyer may buy, and a basis seller may sell, 141 EAFE IC calls at 106.32 (implying a basis of 6.32 and notional value of $316 per contract). The trade clears and settles at a premium of 6.32. The next day&#39;s official closing index level of 1,409,13 is available at 2:00 PM New York time on Tuesday. On Tuesday evening, the EAFE IC option settles to a value of 100 and is automatically exercised into 141 mini MSCI EAFE futures (MFS) at EDSP of 1,409.13. 
     As another example, on Monday at 1:30 PM New York time, a basis buyer sells, and a basis seller buys, 334 EM IC puts at 97.74 (implying a basis of −2.26 and notional value of −$203 per contract). The trade clears and settles at a premium of −2.26. The next day&#39;s official closing index level of 900.11 is available at 6:30 PM New York time on Tuesday. On Tuesday evening, the EM IC option settles to a value of 100 and is automatically exercised into 334 mini MSCI EM futures (MME) at EDSP of 900.11. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a margin analysis  1000  for a trade at index close option according to some embodiments. The analysis  1000  compares an existing trade at index close process  1010  with a trade at index close options process with a positive basis  1020  and an option process with a negative basis  1030 . In the example of  FIG. 10 , on day “T” it is agreed that a basis of +6.32 will be established for a trade against the next day&#39;s index close in EAFE. Moreover, on day T+1, the index closes at 1409.13 (implying a trade price of 1,415.45). As can be seen, the existing process  1010  is associated with a single transaction on day T+1 while the options processes  1020 ,  1030  both have transactions on days T and day T+1. 
       FIGS. 7 through 10  describe the use of an option to facilitate trades priced relative to a reference benchmark value associated with an underlying index future. According to other embodiments, “puts” and “calls” may be used to facilitate trades priced relative to a reference benchmark value associated with an underlying index future. That is, a combination of put and call options-on-a-future may be utilized.  FIG. 11  is an example of a trades priced relative to a reference benchmark value combination of put and call options system  1100  in accordance with some embodiments. As in  FIG. 1 , a trade priced relative to a reference benchmark value platform  1150  may receive an indication of a trade priced relative to a reference benchmark value associated with an underlying index future. According to this embodiment, after the trade clears  1152 , the combination of put and call options settle  1154  and information about the trade may be stored in a combination of put and call options database  1140  and/or be transmitted to a reporting platform  1160 .  FIG. 12  is a diagram of a trades priced relative to a reference benchmark value combination of put and call options method  1200  according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. At S 1210 , an indication of a trade priced relative to a reference benchmark value associated with an underlying index future may be received when a basis of the transaction is agreed to by parties of the trade at least one day prior to a determination of a final price and quantity of the trade. At S 1220 , the trade may clear and the combination of put and call options may settle into the underlying index future at S 1230 .  FIG. 13  is an example of a potential specification for a trade priced relative to a reference benchmark value options  1300  for both a mini-MSCI EAFE IC option  1310  and a mini-MSCI Emerging Markets IC option  1320  in accordance with some embodiments. Although the example of  FIG. 13  is associated with a trade at index close, note that other types of reference benchmark values may be used instead. 
     For example, on Monday at 3:30 PM New York time, a buyer and a seller trade 141 EAFE IC futures option combos (long 1410 call and short 1410 put) at net cost of 6.32. The trade legs clear and settle at a net premium of 6.32. The next day&#39;s official closing index level of 1,409.13 is available at 2:00 PM New York time on Tuesday. On Tuesday evening, the call expires worthless and the short put is assigned 141 mini MSCI EAFE futures (WS) at EDSP of 1,409.13. 
     As another example, on Monday at 1:30 PM New York time, the buyer and seller trade 334 EM IC futures option combos (long 900 call and short 900 put) at −2.26. The trade clears and settles at a net premium credit of −2.26. The next day&#39;s official closing index level of 900.11 is available at 6:30 PM New York time on Tuesday. On Tuesday evening, the put expires worthless and the long call is automatically exercised into 334 mini MSCI EM futures (“MME”) at EDSP of 900.11. 
       FIG. 14  illustrates a margin analysis  1400  for a trade at index close combination of put and call options according to some embodiments. The analysis  1400  compares an existing trade at index close process  1410  with a trade at index close combination of put and call options process  1420 . In the example of  FIG. 14 , on day “T” it is agreed that a basis of +6.32 will be established for a trade against the next day&#39;s index close in EAFE. Moreover, on day T+1, the index closes at 1409.13 (implying a trade price of 1,415.45). As can be seen, the existing process  1410  is associated with a single transaction on day T+1 while the combination of put and call options process  1420 ,  1430  has trades on both days T and day T+1. 
     The embodiments described herein may be implemented using any number of different hardware configurations. For example,  FIG. 15  illustrates a trade priced relative to a reference benchmark value platform  1500  that may be, for example, associated with any of the embodiments described herein. The trade priced relative to a reference benchmark value platform  1500  comprises a processor  1510 , such as one or more commercially available Central Processing Units (CPUs) in the form of one-chip microprocessors, coupled to a communication device  1520  configured to communicate via a communication network (not shown in  FIG. 15 ). The communication device  1520  may be used to communicate, for example, with one or more remote devices or third-party data services. The trade priced relative to a reference benchmark value platform  1500  further includes an input device  1540  (e.g., a mouse and/or keyboard to enter trade information) and an output device  1550  (e.g., a computer monitor to display trade results and reports to an operator or administrator). 
     The processor  1510  also communicates with a storage device  1530 . The storage device  1530  may comprise any appropriate information storage device, including combinations of magnetic storage devices (e.g., a hard disk drive), optical storage devices, mobile telephones, vehicle computers, and/or semiconductor memory devices. The storage device  1530  stores a program  1512  and/or a customer analytics tool  1514  (e.g., an interactive application) for controlling the processor  1510 . The processor  1510  performs instructions of the programs  1512 ,  1514 , and thereby operates in accordance with any of the embodiments described herein. For example, the processor  1510  may receive an indication of a trade priced relative to a reference benchmark value associated with an underlying index future when a basis of the transaction is agreed to by parties of the trade. Moreover, the indication may be received at least one day prior to a determination of a final price and quantity of the trade. The trade might create, according to some embodiments, other derivatives, such as a future, an option, or a combination of put and call options. The trade may be reported and cleared by the processor  1510 , and it may then be arranged for the trade to physically settle into the underlying index future. According to some embodiments, the processor  1510  transmits an indication of the trade to an external platform (e.g., via communication port  1520 ). 
     The programs  1512 ,  1514  may be stored in a compressed, uncompiled and/or encrypted format. The programs  1512 ,  1514  may furthermore include other program elements, such as an operating system, a database management system, and/or device drivers used by the processor  1510  to interface with peripheral devices. 
     As used herein, information may be “received” by or “transmitted” to, for example: (i) the trade priced relative to a reference benchmark value platform  1500  from another device; or (ii) a software application or module within the trade priced relative to a reference benchmark value platform  1500  from another software application, module, or any other source. 
     In some embodiments (such as shown in  FIG. 15 ), the storage device  1530  stores a settlement database  1550 , a trade database  1600 , and a reporting database  1560 . An example of a database that may be used in connection with the trade priced relative to a reference benchmark value platform  1500  will now be described in detail with respect to  FIG. 16 . Note that the database described herein is only one example, and additional and/or different information may be stored therein. Moreover, various databases might be split or combined in accordance with any of the embodiments described herein. 
     Referring to  FIG. 16 , a table is shown that represents the trade database  1600  that may be stored at the trade priced relative to a reference benchmark value platform  1500  according to some embodiments. The table may include, for example, entries identifying trades that have been processed, or are being processed, by the system. The table may also define fields  1602 ,  1604 ,  1606 ,  1608  for each of the entries. The fields  1602 ,  1604 ,  1606 ,  1608  may, according to some embodiments, specify: a trade identifier  1602 , a description  1604 , a date  1606 , and related data  1608 . The information in the trade database  1600  may be created and updated, for example, based on information received from external devices and/or administrators. 
     The trade identifier  1602  may be, for example, a unique alphanumeric code identifying a trade priced relative to a reference benchmark value platform. The description  1604  might indicate, for example, how a trade associated with an underlying index future is being handled (e.g., with a future, an option, or a combination of put and call options). The date  1606  might indicate when the trade was initiated, cleared, and/or settled. The related data  1608  might indicate whether the trade is pending or in process, financial values (e.g., an agreed basis, a final price, and a quantity), parties to the trade, etc. 
     The following illustrates various additional embodiments of the disclosure. These do not constitute a definition of all possible embodiments, and those skilled in the art will understand that the present disclosure is applicable to many other embodiments. Further, although the following embodiments are briefly described for clarity, those skilled in the art will understand how to make any changes, if necessary, to the above-described apparatus and methods to accommodate these and other embodiments and applications. 
     Although specific hardware and data configurations have been described herein, note that any number of other configurations may be provided in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure (e.g., some of the information associated with the databases described herein may be combined or stored in external systems). 
     Applicants have discovered that embodiments described herein may be particularly useful in connection with particular types of instrument exchanges. Further, note that MSCI is used herein only as an example, and embodiments may apply to automated reference benchmark value order types for any index. Note, moreover, that other types of interactions may also benefit from the disclosure. For example, embodiments of the present disclosure may be used in connection with other types of instrument exchanges. 
     The present disclosure has been described in terms of several embodiments solely for the purpose of illustration. Persons skilled in the art will recognize from this description that the disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described, but may be practiced with modifications and alterations limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims.