| Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
|---|
| 20100241593 | System and Method for Emulating a Long/Short Hedge Fund Index in a Trading System - A system comprises a memory operable to store a compound index that is based at least in part on a plurality of component indices. The plurality of component indices comprise an international developed markets equity index, a U.S. large-cap equity index, and a U.S. small-cap equity index. The compound index is further based at least in part on a plurality of weights, wherein each weight is associated with a respective one of the plurality of component indices. The system further comprises a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and operable to update the plurality of weights according to a regression analysis. The regression analysis is based at least in part on a respective set of returns associated with each of the plurality of component indices and with a hedge fund index. The plurality of weights are updated such that the compound index emulates the hedge fund index. The processor is further operable to determine a current compound index value based at least in part on the plurality of component indices and on the updated plurality of weights. The processor is further operable to transmit the current compound index value to one or more clients. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100125536 | TECHNIQUES FOR ILLUSTRATING AND ANALYZING COLLEGE SAVINGS PLANS - Analyzing educational saving plans by considering the tax implications of these plans is provided by storing a plurality of educational institution identifiers and a plurality of educational savings plan parameter sets. Each of the educational institution identifiers is associated with a corresponding set of cost parameters specifying room, board, and tuition costs for the respective educational institution. Each of the educational savings plan parameter sets specifies a characteristic of a corresponding educational savings plan. A comparative analysis of educational savings plans is generated by applying a retrieved set of cost parameters for each educational plan parameter sets. This comparative analysis takes into consideration tax implications of an educational savings plan. The results of the comparative analysis are outputted on a display and/or printout so that an investor can determine which of the plurality of educational savings plans best meets their needs. | 05-20-2010 |
| 20090177590 | Total Return Asset Contracts and Associated Processing Systems - A novel vehicle investment that greatly simplifies ownership and implementation of futures so that the pricing, trading, and risk management characteristics of futures investment are more broadly accessible by investors. Trading and account processing is implemented on a data processing platform that facilitates expanded access and use of risk management via futures contracts. | 07-09-2009 |
