New techniques developed more than a decade ago allowed him to begin finding ways of measuring the market, of being able to model its angry mood swings with some level of precision.

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Also new: The Protex, a model heavy on wrist stabilization that's designed to appeal to precision fighters.

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Mr. HENDRICKS: Theoretically, if they come out with a better model that dissects you more as a consumer and gives them more precision in figuring out whether you're a good credit risk, that's what would be in it for them.

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