Importance

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Abstract

Methods and apparatus relating to the formulation and trading of investment contracts are described. An ordering party inputs contract data relating to a phenomenon. The phenomenon has a range of future outcomes and a future time of maturity. The contract data includes a set of probabilities of occurrence for each outcome within the range, and a consideration due a counterparty at or after the time of matching. At least one counterparty inputs registering data that includes a set of probabilities of occurrence for each outcome in the range. A data processing means prices and matches a contract for the phenomenon from the contract data and registering data. Pricing the contract includes applying at least one template of entitlement as a function of outcome to each counterparty's set of probabilities to give one or more individual counter party prices that are each equal to the ordering party's consideration, and applying the ordering party set of probabilities to each template of entitlement to derive an implied entitlement valuation. Matching the contract includes determining which counterparty will provide the best entitlement on maturity by comparing each entitlement with the consideration, and matching the contract with the counterparty having a template of entitlement for the best comparison.

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First Claim