FUTURES/OPTIONS INDUSTRY FIRMS.

The following is an alphabetical listing of U.S. firms serving the futures and options industry that responded to our requests to be listed in the Futures 2001 SourceBook.

The basic listing includes the firm name in boldface type followed by the firm's address, up to two telephone or fax numbers, an E-mail or Web address, and the name of a key person or contact at the firm and that person's position. Abbreviations used for positions include: CEO (chief executive officer), CFO (chief financial officer), COO (chief operating officer), AVP (assistant vice president), VP (vice president), SVP (senior vice president), EVP (executive vice president).

Several letters in parentheses describe the type of firm or the services it offers. U.S. firms registered with the National Futures Association are listed as:

FCM futures commission merchant

CTA commodity trading advisor

IB introducing broker

CPO commodity pool operator

Other firnis in the broker/advisor group include:

RIA registered investment advisor

OTC over-the-counter dealer or market-maker

FB floor broker or clearing service

B commercial or investment bank

Another broad group includes suppliers of information:

IBK book or video publisher and/or distributor

IH advisory service

INS producer of a news service

IPC publisher of print chart service

IM magazine, newspaper or newsletter publisher

Those firms indicating they provide computer or electronic products or services are divided into:

EPQ electronic price quotes or data, real-time or delayed

EP programming or consulting services

EC charting or technical analysis software

ETS trading system software

EA accounting, back office or other operational software

Those firms that provide professional services include:

PSA accounting

PSL legal

PSP portfolio, pension plan, investment management

PSE educational training, including seminars

PSR research or consulting services of many types

PSM marketing, public relations, mailing list services

PSER executive recruitment, placement services

Most firms fit in more than just one category, and their listings will indicate this. Other firms (an FCM, for example) may offer a newsletter, hotline, financial planning, etc., but may list themselves only as an FCM because these other functions are considered to be facets of the main FCM business. For further definitions of the categories and a list of all the firms in each of the categories, see the category listing section that begins on page 4.