Trading system and methods

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a system and method that facilitates the more fully informed and efficient trading of items of value, including securities. According to the present invention, certain embodiments permit a customer to determine the merits of and to execute a trade from a single screen. One embodiment of the present invention provides a single option chain trading screen enabling a customer to view a matrix of all available options for a given security, including the various strike prices, expiration dates, and whether they are calls or puts. Another embodiment provides a customer with a single option chain trading screen allowing a customer to “hover” at or near various icons to obtain supplemental information without leaving the trading screen, and use a triple-action selection component to ultimately execute a trade.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computer-implemented method for facilitating trading in one or more items by a customer, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a computer trading screen with a plurality of icons representing information linked to the one or more items, a plurality of trade checkboxes and a plurality of supplemental information that can be accessed by the customer by hovering a screen indicator at one or more of the icons;   displaying on the computer trading screen the supplemental information as the screen indicator hovers at the one or more of the icons, the supplemental information comprising one or more selected from a group consisting of: a chart, a percentage, a real-time quote book.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the group further comprises of: a Greeks book, a quote box, a trade calculator, a price improvement box, a watch list, a pricing ticket, a theoretical buying power box, or a trade ticket. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more items is a security option. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the percentage is a price of a security option that is an intrinsic value. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein, wherein the percentage is a price of a security option that is a time value. 
     
     
         6 . A computer system for trading one or more items, by a customer, comprising:
 a screen component configured to display a plurality of icons;   a screen indicator configured to be movable on the screen component, the screen indicator configured to hover at or near one or more icons of the plurality in order to activate an inset of information on the screen component, the inset of information comprising one or more selected from a group consisting of: a chart, a percentage, a real-time quote book.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the group further comprises of: a Greeks book, a quote box, a trade calculator, a price improvement box, a watch list, a pricing ticket, a theoretical buying power box, or a trade ticket. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the one or more items is a security option. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the percentage is a price of a security option that is an intrinsic value. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the percentage is a price of a security option that is a time value.