DISPLAYED AND DARK EQUITY OPTIONS ELECTRONIC ORDER BOOK WITH MARKET MAKER PARTICIPATION

摘要

An enhanced system and method for executing options trades are disclosed. The lead market maker entitlements are integrated with sophisticated order types, including dark order types, so that the lead marker maker is guaranteed an allocation of the trade if the lead market maker is at the NBBO when an order priced at or better than the NBBO is received. The lead market maker is not provided an opportunity to price improve to execute with a specific incoming order. Additionally, market makers who are not the lead market maker in an option series may be granted the privileges of a lead market maker for the purpose of executing with a specific incoming directed order if the designated market maker is at the NBBO when a directed order priced at or better than the NBBO is received. The system and method disclosed encourages market makers to quote the best price possible, which in turn has the effect of narrowing spreads. Furthermore, as only displayed orders at the NBBO are eligible to execute ahead of market makers quoting at the NBBO, the system and method encourages users to display their best prices and sizes to the marketplace.