Just a note on Refco being bought. It is true. None of the prop traders, nor anyone affiliated with Refco Trading Services os getting any chance at any stock.
Refco in battle with TT over trading software By Jeremy Grant in Chicago Published: April 27 2005 03:00 | Last updated: April 27 2005 03:00 Refco, the world's largest privately-held futures broker, was yesterday scrambling to prevent the cancellation of a key software contract with Trading Technologies after the software provider threatened to stop offering software on which Refco relies for a third of its futures trading. The development is an embarrassment to Refco as it prepares to launch a $575m initial public offering. (...) http://news.ft.com/cms/s/920cb070-b6b8-11d9-aebd-00000e2511c8.html
It's actually a good thing that refco won't be using X trader. TT are trying to extort them. Better that they stand up and fight there flimsy patent in court. Runningbear