March 3, 2008 Issue Abstract

To purchase this issue of Global Investment Technology, please contact Terry Tiangco at (212) 370-3700, x287 or e-mail ttiangco@globalinv.com

Derivatives Trading: Hedge Funds Lead With Equity Options Algorithms As Electronic Markets Liquidity Feeds Strategies. Equity options markets are exploding and increasingly require advanced algorithms to handle the growing complexity of the marketplace. Already, options trading is the third-most utilized strategy in algorithmic trading after equities and foreign exchange.

Industry Alert: Nasdaq OMX Group Prepares to Compete in Europe. The formation of Nasdaq OMX Group following the February 27 closing of Borse Dubai’s acquisition of OMX shares and subsequent sale of those shares to Nasdaq gives the new entity a stronger foothold in European markets and positions it to introduce innovative products and services.

Behind The Benchmarks: Alternative Investments Still Face Benchmarking Gaps. The migration of investment away from active fund managers toward exchange-traded funds and other index-based products could cost those active fund managers about $12 billion a year in potential management fees.

Spotlight: Mark Pratt, Chief Operating Officer, Australian Unity Investments. The A$6.7 billion investment management arm of Australian Unity Ltd. takes a different approach to the use of technology in its operations and in its outsourcing decisions.

Portfolio Analytics: Isolating Behavioral Patterns Boosts Portfolio Returns. Analytics software provider Cabot Research applies behavioral analysis to investment and trading decisions to guide the way to better outcomes.

The Analytical Toolkit: Russell Debuts Real-Time Market Analysis of Indexes. Russell Investments’ Real-Time Market Analysis is a web-based tool that generates continually updated analysis of US markets based on Russell Indexes.