Patent ID: 8706603

Claim:
A computer implemented method for making first long and short positions held by a first trader offsetable against each other, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a request for a first long position in a first futures contract traded in a first market and a first short position in a second futures contract traded in a second market to be offset against each other, wherein the first long position has not expired and has a physical delivery associated therewith and wherein the first long position cannot be offset against the first short position because they are traded in different markets; determining a second request to liquidate a second short position for the first futures contract traded in the first market, wherein the second short position has not expired and has a physical delivery associated therewith; determining a third request to liquidate a second long position for the second futures contract traded in the second market; offsetting the first long position against the second short position and the first short position against the second long position, thereby eliminating delivery obligations associated with the first long position and second short position of the first contract, and the second long position and first short position of the second contract.