Intercontinental Exchange (NYSE:ICE), the leading global network of exchanges and clearing houses, announced today that it has acquired intellectual property rights that relate to computerized trading strategies. The acquired intellectual property rights include U.S. Patent Numbers 7,177,833; 7,251,629; 8,498,923; 8,478,687; 8,660,940; 8,732,048; 8,725,621 and various related pending U.S. Patent Applications. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

?We believe these intellectual property rights cover important aspects of transacting in today?s markets,? said Intercontinental Exchange?Chief Strategy Officer?David Goone. ?ICE acquired these patents with the goal of preventing third parties from using these intellectual property rights against our customers. ICE intends to make these patents available broadly for license to customers that provide beneficial liquidity in ICE?s and NYSE?s markets.?

The acquired intellectual property rights include patent claims covering the use of an automated trading system to make price and trading decisions based on market price information. The intellectual property rights cover multiple asset classes traded electronically on exchanges, including futures, options and cash equities.

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In additional ICE news, its second-quarter results topped analysts’ expectations as the company made progress in selling off several businesses previously part of the NYSE, but the company’s share price fell over expectations of weakening performance in the months ahead.

ICE posted a profit of $226 million, or $1.95 a share in the second quarter, compared with a profit of $154 million, or $2.09 a share, in the previous year’s period.

Excluding costs related to the integration of NYSE and other items, earnings were $2.10 a share in the period. Total revenue grew to $1.01 billion from $372 million. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters expected $2.02 in per-share adjusted earnings and $777 million in revenue.

Revenue from transaction and clearing fees more than doubled to $721 million. Market data fees jumped to $96 million from $40 million.

The sale of several NYSE technology businesses and the IPO of Euronext made a positive impact on the top line. The company expects to reach 70% of its expected $500 million in synergies from the deal by the end of 2014.

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