4th Story

The company sells software for automated trading and market analysis. Its customers are brokers, hedge funds, investment managers, execution desks and institutional traders, who use the products to run algorithmic and quantitative strategies quickly. The company is based in San Francisco. It describes its suite as helping these firms implement their automated trading ideas quickly and efficiently.

Testing and running trading strategies

The products are multi-asset and multi-currency, and the company says they allow rapid testing and implementation of quantitative, algorithmic and automated strategies. Hedge funds and investment managers can use the tools for automated testing, optimization and real-time operation of alpha-seeking strategies. Portfolio features support backtesting and running strategies once they are live.

Smart order routing and execution

For execution desks and brokers, the company offers smart order routing and algorithmic execution, together with idea-generation analytics for the sales desk. The company says these tools help brokers compete more effectively.

The 4S matching engine for thin markets

In December 2016 the company announced the release of its customizable matching engine, 4S. The engine is fully FIX compliant and is aimed at markets where liquidity is hard to generate and concentrate, such as OTC fixed income, derivatives, niche commodities and small cap equities. The company says the engine supports highly customizable order types and matching algorithms, suited to the needs of a particular trading community.

Order logic that reacts to market conditions

Orders can carry parameters that only become active in certain market conditions, and the engine can switch automatically between matching algorithms.

Analytics for execution and risk

The analytics range covers real-time execution and risk analytics, and liquidity provider analytics for foreign exchange. These help a firm see how its orders are being filled and where its exposure sits as trading proceeds. The company offers its analytics as part of the same suite as its testing and routing tools.

Who the products serve

Firms that use the products include brokers and execution desks, along with hedge funds and investment managers. The products are designed for firms that want to automate trading and analysis across several asset classes and currencies, and the company says its support is part of the offer.

4th Story makes software for automated trading and market analysis. Brokers, hedge funds and institutional traders use it to put algorithmic and quantitative strategies into practice quickly.

The products handle several asset classes and currencies. The company, based in San Francisco according to its press releases, also offers a customisable matching engine.

Features

• Strategy testing and operation: test, optimise and run alpha-seeking strategies in real time.
• Smart order routing and algorithmic execution: tools for execution desks and brokers.
• Matching engine: FIX-compliant and customisable for markets where liquidity is hard to gather, such as OTC fixed income and niche commodities.
• Analytics: real-time execution and risk analytics, plus liquidity provider analytics for FX.

Customers and markets

Hedge funds, investment managers, execution desks and brokers.

Key facts

• Based in: San Francisco
• Capabilities: multi-asset and multi-currency