"It's evident that consumers frequently base their purchase decisions on the activity of others, especially when their interests are closely aligned," said David Kalt, CEO of optionsXpress. "We're thrilled to lead the brokerage space in offering such in-demand functionality as Trading Patterns to the online investor."

The objective of the Trading Patterns tool is to help optionsXpress customers learn of other possible opportunities of which they otherwise might not have been aware. The platform fully protects the privacy, confidentiality and anonymity of optionsXpress users, sharing trading patterns based on independent activity across many unique customers. As a result, investors are given a glimpse into what other like-minded investors are trading, with full identity protection for everyone using the platform.

For example, a customer looking at a biotech stock can click on the optionsXpress Trading Patterns link to be provided with a list of up to 10 other securities popular with investors active in the original biotech stock.

"OptionsXpress is committed to leading the brokerage industry with innovative tools and technology like Trading Patterns, which investors simply cannot find at other online brokers," said Kalt. "Ultimately, Trading Patterns empowers our customers to explore more suitable opportunities for their investing objectives."