Method and apparatus for tracking and evaluating the performance of financial analysts
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method for providing investment performance information of an investment analyst, the method comprising the steps of:
- receiving registration information from a prospective investment analyst, the registration information including information specifying an entity with which the prospective investment analyst is professionally affiliated and designating at least one qualification of the prospective investment analyst;
verifying that the prospective investment analyst is indeed associated with the specified entity and meets the designated qualification, to thereby register the prospective investment analyst as a registered investment analyst;
receiving, from the registered investment analyst, at least one investment portfolio characteristic;
receiving, from the registered investment analyst, a portfolio of selections including a quantity of each of a plurality of investment instruments comprising the portfolio, the portfolio being not greater than a predetermined total fictional-dollar value and the investment instruments being consistent with that registered investment analyst'"'"'s corresponding portfolio characteristic; and
subsequently transmitting a statistic reflective of an investment return of the portfolio, along with information identifying the registered investment analyst.
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Abstract
A web site for licensed investment analysts who wish to demonstrate their abilities to select a portfolio of investment instruments is made available to users. The licensed investment analysts are qualified through their respective investment firms so as to establish eligibility to participate in the web site as licensed investment analysts. The licensed investment analysts select investment portfolio characteristics such as the type of investment, the industry sector(s) that is (are) the focus of that portfolio, and an investment risk level. A registered licensed investment analyst is given a predetermined sum of fictional money to invest in a portfolio consonant with the portfolio characteristics that had been established at that analyst'"'"'s own choosing. Once a portfolio is established, a licensed investment analyst may modify the portfolio by trading as often as he or she wishes. A user visiting the web site is able to view each licensed investment analyst'"'"'s portfolio balance and view the history of trades made by that analyst. A user may also optionally contact the analyst or that analyst'"'"'s investment firm for further information. In addition to licensed investment analysts, the web site also accommodates portfolios selected by participating business students who are enrolled at business schools. For all such participants, more than one portfolio may be established, each portfolio corresponding to a different set of investment portfolio characteristics.
43 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for providing investment performance information of an investment analyst, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving registration information from a prospective investment analyst, the registration information including information specifying an entity with which the prospective investment analyst is professionally affiliated and designating at least one qualification of the prospective investment analyst;
verifying that the prospective investment analyst is indeed associated with the specified entity and meets the designated qualification, to thereby register the prospective investment analyst as a registered investment analyst;
receiving, from the registered investment analyst, at least one investment portfolio characteristic;
receiving, from the registered investment analyst, a portfolio of selections including a quantity of each of a plurality of investment instruments comprising the portfolio, the portfolio being not greater than a predetermined total fictional-dollar value and the investment instruments being consistent with that registered investment analyst'"'"'s corresponding portfolio characteristic; and
subsequently transmitting a statistic reflective of an investment return of the portfolio, along with information identifying the registered investment analyst. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 30)
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13. A computer-implemented method for first acquiring and then providing information about fictional investment portfolios assembled by investment analysts, comprising the steps of:
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receiving registration information from each of a plurality of prospective investment analysts, the registration information including information specifying an entity with which that prospective investment analyst is professionally affiliated and designating at least one qualification of the prospective investment analyst;
verifying that each prospective investment analyst is indeed associated with the specified entity and meets the designated qualification, to thereby register each prospective investment analyst as a registered investment analyst;
receiving, from each registered investment analyst, at least one investment portfolio characteristic;
receiving, from each registered investment analyst, at least one portfolio comprising a quantity of each of a plurality of investment instruments, the portfolio being subject to a predetermined total value and the investment instruments being consistent with that registered investment analyst'"'"'s corresponding portfolio characteristic;
receiving a request for collective information concerning the investment portfolios of the registered investment analysts; and
transmitting said collective information, in response to said request.
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27. A computer-implemented method of operating a web-based forum for commenting on a rumor about, or on a statement or action attributed to, a legal entity, the rumor, statement, or action concerning financial matters, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving login information from a first user authorized to post messages on behalf of said legal entity, in said forum;
receiving, from said first user, a request to post a message to an area within said forum, posting to said area being limited to individuals authorized to post messages on behalf of said legal entity;
receiving from said first user and then storing, a message pertaining to said rumor, statement, or action;
subsequently receiving, from a second user, a request to view said message; and
transmitting said message, in response to said request to view said message.
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29. A computer-implemented method for providing investment performance information of an investment analyst, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving registration information from a prospective investment analyst, the registration information including information specifying an entity with which the prospective investment analyst is professionally affiliated and designating at least one qualification of the prospective investment analyst;
verifying that the prospective investment analyst is indeed associated with the specified entity and meets the designated qualification, to thereby register the prospective investment analyst as a registered investment analyst;
receiving, from the registered investment analyst, at least one first investment portfolio characteristic;
receiving, from the registered investment analyst, a first portfolio of selections including a quantity of each of a plurality of investment instruments comprising the first portfolio, the investment instruments being consistent with that registered investment analyst'"'"'s corresponding first portfolio characteristic;
receiving, from the registered investment analyst, at least one second investment portfolio characteristic;
receiving, from the registered investment analyst, a second portfolio of selections including a quantity of each of a plurality of investment instruments comprising the second portfolio, the investment instruments being consistent with that registered investment analyst'"'"'s corresponding second portfolio characteristic, wherein the first and second portfolios together sum to an amount not greater than a pre-determined total fictional-dollar value; and
subsequently transmitting a statistic reflective of an investment return of a composite portfolio comprising the first and second portfolios, along with information identifying the registered investment analyst.
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Specification