OPTIONS: Livevol Launches New Trading Platform

Livevol, a San Francisco-based vendor of equity options trading technology, has launched a new options trading system that includes a trade execution system, data and analytics tools, and visual aids.

Called Livevol X, the system includes an order execution platform, similar to an equity execution management system, pre-trade and post-trade risk analyses, and visual aids. The system helps market makers, prop traders and other buysiders identify trading opportunities and execute orders from a single system, said managing director Catherine Clay.

“It’s a point-and-click trading platform that sits on top of our historical live database system,” Clay said. “While our products are for equities and options traders, this is really geared toward our options users.”

The system includes visual cues such as real-time-updated price “skew” charts and three-dimensional maps that can help traders visually identify trading opportunities. Once an opportunity is identified on a map or chart, the trader can simply click on the underlying security’s price point and place an order.

The system also includes an options trade-cost analysis feature, using Livevol’s historical price database to help traders evaluate the cost of their trade.

Clay added options traders can build multi-leg orders directly from desktop and access the complex order books of all exchanges. Traders are able to set size, timing and other trade variables through equity and options algorithms.

The system was launched in late December and has 100 users.

Livevol also offers direct market access to options and equities traders through a separate but affiliated broker-dealer, Livevol Securities Inc.