IOI-based block trading systems, methods, interfaces, and software

A server having a processor and memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory includes machine executable instructions for automatically initiating an online negotiation process in response to user selection of a control feature associated with an indication of interest (IOI) in a stock.

Apparatus comprising:

• means for accessing a database of indication of interests (IOIs), wherein each IOI includes a set of transaction terms, including a stock identifier, a price, and a quantity;
• and
• means, responsive to selection of one of the IOIs, for automatically outputting signals defining at least a portion of a graphical user interface, with the interface having user operable means for causing communication of signals indicative of acceptance of the transaction terms.

An automated method of processing a stock transaction between first and second traders for a mutually agreed upon quantity of stock, the method comprising:

• automatically determining whether to initiate online negotiations for a quantity of the stock greater than the agreed upon quantity.

An automated method of processing a trade ticket for a first online stock transaction, the method comprising:

• determining whether each of first and second traders associated with the trade ticket want to trade respective quantities of a stock greater than a first quantity of the stock identified in the trade ticket;
• and
• stopping the first online stock transaction for the first quantity if the determination is affirmative.

An automated method comprising:

• determining whether a first set of information from a first trader regarding a stock is compatible with a second set of information from a second trader regarding the stock;
• and
• if the determination is affirmative, initiating an online negotiation for a transaction between the first trader and the second trader to conduct a trade of the stock.

An automated method comprising:

• receiving signals representative of first and second works larger indicators for respective first and second traders;
• and
• determining, based on the received signals, whether to initiate an online works larger negotiation between the first and second traders.

A machine-readable medium comprising machine-executable instructions for:

• defining a first region of a graphical user interface to display a set of transactions terms for a stock, including a first quantity of the stock;
• and
• defining a second region of the graphical user interface to display a first user-operable input feature for a user to indicate an interest in transacting for a quantity of the stock that is larger than the first quantity.

A method of operating an online financial information system, the method comprising:

• presenting a listing of one or more stock trading partners, with each trading partner listing associated with a set of privileges for responding to at least one indication of interest (IOI) for a stock.

A machine readable medium for an online financial information system, the medium comprising:

• first instructions for defining one or more user interface elements that enable a dealer to define and communicate one or more indications of interest (IOIs) to one or more buy-side traders;
• and
• second instructions for defining use interface elements that enable a dealer to define IOI response privileges for each of one or more buy-side recipients of one or more of the IOIs.

A graphical user interface module for dealers in an online financial information system, the interface module comprising:

• means, including a set of one or more interactive control features, for defining one or more indications of interest (IOIs);
• and
• means, including a set of one or more interactive control features, for enabling a dealer to define IOI response privileges for one or more trading partners.

A data structure for a financial information system, the data structure comprising:

• a trading partner identifier for a corresponding trading partner;
• and
• a first indicator logically associated with the trading partner identifier, the first indicator for providing an indication of a privilege to respond to one or more IOIs anonymously.

A method comprising:

• searching for a set of one or more indications of interest (IOIs) based at one or more associated IOI response privileges.

A graphical user interface comprising

• a listing of one or more user selectable indications of interest (IOIs) regarding a stock, wherein one or more of the IOIs is associated with a corresponding icon indicating availability of an online negotiation capability and one or more of the IOI is not associated with the corresponding icon;
• and
• user operable means for causing reorganization of the listing to present each of the IOIs associated with the corresponding icon at the top or bottom of the listing.

A method comprising:

• communicating signals representative of an IOI of a first type;
• and
• automatically converting the IOI of the first type to an IOI of a second type after expiration of a timer associated with the IOI of the first type.