http://www.theoptionsinsiders.com Comment Letter en-us Copyright 2008 The Options Insider Sat, 22 Nov 2008 05:17:00 GMT 20 Wed, 8 Oct 2008 01:56:00 GMT There has been a lot of talk about the explosion of options volume that took place in September. There certainly is a great deal to celebrate. Overall options volume jumped an incredible 84% from September 2007. But there was a disturbing surprise lurking beneath the surface of the options market last month.... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=127 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=127 Fri, 19 Sep 2008 16:38:00 GMT Banning Short Selling Could Have Disastrous Consequences For The Options Market... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=124 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=124 Tue, 16 Sep 2008 23:55:00 GMT There has been a lot of concern regarding the recent volume downturn in the options market. These concerns are understandable. After all, growth has been so strong in the world of options that many people now take repeated monthly volume records as articles of faith. Has the bloom finally come off the options rose? Are we fated to see a profound retracement in options volume as institutional and retail customers abandon the options market en masse? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=121 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=121 Thu, 4 Sep 2008 08:30:00 GMT The options market has made impressive technological advances in recent years. However, these advances have not extended to the world of online options information. To address this shortfall, www.TheOptionsInsider.com has developed a wide array of new features and upgrades for our users. From New Iphone Applications to targeted email alerts, widescreen monitor support and new RSS functionality, there is something for everyone. And this is only the beginning... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=120 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=120 Fri, 29 Aug 2008 08:27:00 GMT The CME Group recently completed its acquisition of NYMEX. Is this deal beneficial for the derivatives marketplace or will the growing shadow of the CME leviathan overwhelm any benefits? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=119 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=119 Fri, 8 Aug 2008 14:25:00 GMT The options market has been growing at an amazing clip for the past seven years. While other financial markets have stagnated, new entrants continue to flood into the options pits and bins. Yet, in the same month that the options industry posted 40% gains, the CME suffered its second consecutive volume decrease. In an environment where dramatic year-over-year volume increases are expected, the recent downturns at the CME are troubling... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=116 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=116 Fri, 18 Jul 2008 09:57:00 GMT With their shareholders out for blood, the CEOs of the major airlines are using the derivatives markets as a scapegoat. In an appalling open letter to their customers, and on a misleading new website (www.stopoilspeculationnow.com), these CEOs have become the latest to join the fear mongering chorus against derivatives speculation. Now it and s time to fight back... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=114 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=114 Fri, 4 Jul 2008 01:14:00 GMT How will the recent flurry of exchange mergers and acquisitions affect the options market? It and s time to check the scorecard in the ongoing battle between the CBOE, ISE, NYSE, AMEX, PHLX, BOX and NASDAQ... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=112 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=112 Thu, 3 Jul 2008 01:15:00 GMT How will the 34% surge in the VIX affect the options market? It and s time to check the scorecard in the ongoing battle between the CBOE, ISE, NYSE, AMEX, PHLX, BOX and NASDAQ... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=111 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=111 Thu, 19 Jun 2008 16:58:00 GMT Assuming that the settlement deal is approved, the CBOE will finally be free to explore the IPOs, mergers and acquisitions that have consumed the options world in recent years. As the current king of the options hill, and the only major options exchange without an owner/controlling partner, the CBOE is now the bell of the ball. Will its suitor be NYSE Euronext?...CME? ...or is there another name lurking in the shadows? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=110 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=110 Wed, 18 Jun 2008 16:58:00 GMT The irony of this entire situation is that the exercise right, and the legal battle surrounding it, have been major stumbling blocks for both exchanges... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=109 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=109 Tue, 17 Jun 2008 23:32:00 GMT A few weeks ago, the derivatives market received news that cheered some observers and frustrated many more. After a long, and often ridiculous, legal battle, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) and the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) finally buried the hatchet. But what lies ahead for these two derivatives powerhouses...? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=107 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=107 Fri, 23 May 2008 12:02:00 GMT My conversation with the OIC and s Phil Gocke (tune in to Options Insider Radio Episode 17 for more information) prompted quite a few questions about the collar study we discussed. Many listeners wanted to know more about the study along with where they can review the results for themselves... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=104 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=104 Mon, 5 May 2008 12:04:00 GMT Hosting an annual conference in Las Vegas is a trivial thing for most industries. But when your industry is perceived as a den of gamblers, thieves and worse, it takes on a whole new meaning... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=103 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=103 Thu, 10 Apr 2008 12:05:00 GMT It and s time once again to break down the winners and losers in the options market... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=101 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=101 Wed, 9 Apr 2008 12:08:00 GMT It and s time once again to break down the winners and losers in the options market... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=99 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=99 Fri, 4 Apr 2008 12:10:00 GMT The question remains: what does the NASDAQ Options Market bring to the table that isn and t offered by the other six exchanges? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=98 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=98 Mon, 31 Mar 2008 12:11:00 GMT After years of promises and delays, NASDAQ is finally getting back into the options game with its NASDAQ Options Market. But is there room in the crowded options game for yet another player? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=96 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=96 Fri, 14 Mar 2008 12:14:00 GMT The long-rumored rival to the CME monolith is finally taking shape. However, ELX failed to impress CME CEO Craig Donahue. In fact, Donahue promptly compared the new exchange to a popular brand of laxative... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=95 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=95 Mon, 10 Mar 2008 12:15:00 GMT Is a "perfect storm" about to hit the options market? What do hedge fund managers and asset managers really think about algorithmic trading, options block crossing networks, electronic trading and the OTC market? Read on to find out... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=94 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=94 Fri, 7 Mar 2008 12:17:00 GMT Why do hedge fund managers use options? Are pennies a blessing or a curse? Is the trading pit here to stay? An interesting new study attempts to answer these questions and many more.... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=93 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=93 Wed, 27 Feb 2008 12:20:00 GMT It was designed to be an institutional option product for a sophisticated clientele. However, a surprising (some might say alarming) percentage of VIX option traders are actually retail customers... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=91 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=91 Fri, 22 Feb 2008 11:48:00 GMT The CBOE and s Volatility Index (a.k.a the Fear Index) is a triumph of options marketing. In the past few years, it has become the de facto standard for measuring market sentiment. But that was not always the case... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=88 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=88 Fri, 15 Feb 2008 11:50:00 GMT We break down the winners and losers in the options market... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=87 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=87 Fri, 1 Feb 2008 11:51:00 GMT Practically overnight, the exercise right had morphed from an obscure relic of 1970s-era corporate governance to a potential piece of the CBOE IPO pie. In effect, the exercise right had become a lottery ticket for CBOT members. They were not about to surrender such a lucrative item without a fight... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=85 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=85 Thu, 31 Jan 2008 11:52:00 GMT It is ironic to think that, in many ways, the CME is responsible for the entire exercise right fiasco. They never set out to pick a fight with the CBOE. However, when the CME went public, it inadvertently changed the derivatives world forever... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=83 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=83 Wed, 30 Jan 2008 11:53:00 GMT The battle over the exercise right has divided the options market and the futures markets for years. However, at the end of the day, it and s really just much ado about nothing.... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=81 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=81 Mon, 31 Dec 2007 11:55:00 GMT Happy New Year to all of our users! In this final article of the year, we take a quick look back at 2007. We also gaze into the crystal ball to see what the new year holds in store for the options market. Thanks again for helping to make www.TheOptionsInsider.com such a success in 2007. We and ll look forward to seeing you again in 2008... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=78 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=78 Mon, 24 Dec 2007 11:57:00 GMT It and s time once again to break down the winners and losers in the options market... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=77 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=77 Tue, 4 Dec 2007 11:58:00 GMT We respond to a recent Striking Price column that confused and angered many of our users... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=75 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=75 Mon, 3 Dec 2007 11:59:00 GMT We respond to a recent Striking Price column that confused and angered many of our users... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=74 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=74 Fri, 9 Nov 2007 12:01:00 GMT It and s time to break down the winners and the losers in the equity options market... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=71 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=71 Wed, 7 Nov 2007 12:03:00 GMT It and s time once again to break down the winners and the losers in the options market... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=69 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=69 Mon, 15 Oct 2007 12:08:00 GMT Is block trading on the horizon in the options market? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=68 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=68 Fri, 12 Oct 2007 12:09:00 GMT The opening panel at the recent Chicago Trading Forum was devoted to the world of alternative trading systems. The bulk of this discussion was geared toward dark pools and other minutia of the equity market. However, one comment immediately captured the attention of every options trader in the room... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=67 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=67 Tue, 9 Oct 2007 12:11:00 GMT The options battle continued to ebb and flow during the month of September... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=66 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=66 Mon, 8 Oct 2007 12:12:00 GMT The options business is on fire. That fact was driven home again last week when the Options Clearing Corp released its year-to-date volume numbers. The chill winds of Autumn have yet to creep into the air, but the options industry has already surpassed its record volume from last year... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=65 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=65 Thu, 6 Sep 2007 12:13:00 GMT If you and ve spent any time in the options business over the past six or seven years, then you are no stranger to record-breaking volume numbers. While these increases may seem almost routine to a jaded options veteran, it is impossible to overstate how incredible this growth has become. After lingering in the shadows of the financial world for decades, the options biz is finally taking its rightful place in the spotlight... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=64 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=64 Tue, 28 Aug 2007 12:15:00 GMT Up, down, left, right.....what the heck is going on with the VIX? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=60 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=60 Fri, 17 Aug 2007 12:15:00 GMT Will the CBOE and s seats ever stop their runaway roller coaster ride? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=58 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=58 Thu, 16 Aug 2007 12:18:00 GMT Will the CBOE and s seats ever stop their runaway roller coaster ride? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=56 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=56 Mon, 13 Aug 2007 12:19:00 GMT Will the CBOE and s seats ever stop their runaway roller coaster ride? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=53 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=53 Fri, 3 Aug 2007 12:21:00 GMT After languishing in the teens for years, the VIX is surging back into the spotlight. What does this recent spike signify? Has the VIX finally broken out of its long rut? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=51 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=51 Fri, 27 Jul 2007 12:24:00 GMT With the CME/ICE battle fading into memory, another furor has erupted on the business pages of Chicago. CME Group, the single largest donor to the mayor and s re-election campaign, is now poised to reap the benefits of its largesse. After posting record profits, and slashing 400 jobs in the process, CME Group is basking in the glow of a potential $40 million handout from the city of Chicago. Should a cash-strapped municipality really be in the business of handing over taxpayer money to a multi-billion dollar exchange? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=50 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=50 Fri, 20 Jul 2007 12:25:00 GMT The revolution began six months ago. That and s when The Options Insider.com went live and began disseminating free, expert options content to the world. Critics thought that we wouldn and t last. After all, this industry was built on upselling unwitting customers on brokerage services, newsletter subscriptions, etc. But, six months later, the revolution is still going strong and there is no end in sight. For that, we only have you to thank... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=48 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=48 Tue, 10 Jul 2007 12:27:00 GMT After battling for months, CME and ICE finally lay down their swords. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=46 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=46 Fri, 29 Jun 2007 12:29:00 GMT The OTC credit derivatives cabal is a powerful group that doesn and t like competitors encroaching on its territory. Eurex learned this lesson the hard way. Now the CBOE, CME and CBOT are falling into the same trap. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=42 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=42 Fri, 22 Jun 2007 12:30:00 GMT NYSE Arca and its "maker-taker" model are taking the options world by storm. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=41 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=41 Tue, 19 Jun 2007 12:32:00 GMT Last week we discussed the industry and s penchant for dumping increasingly punitive taxes on the backs of traders. However, "maker-taker" and the penny pilot have forced a change in this archaic way of thinking. After all, not many traders are willing to pay exorbitant fees for the privilege of making penny-wide markets. The rise of maker-taker has changed the way the options market views liquidity providers, and it is about to take the entire industry by storm. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=40 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=40 Fri, 8 Jun 2007 13:37:00 GMT The revolution has begun! Pennies and "maker-taker" have finally dispelled the notion that the options market can only move forward by taxing traders to death. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=37 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=37 Fri, 1 Jun 2007 13:39:00 GMT Just when everyone thought they were down for the count, ICE and CBOE bounce back with an audacious, and surprisingly clever, new plan. Is this the knockout blow? Maybe... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=36 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=36 Wed, 23 May 2007 13:40:00 GMT The Dow Jones scandal has sparked a wave of headlines regarding insider trading and options. The sad truth is that this is hardly a new phenomenon. Insider trading has always been the dirty little secret of the options business... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=33 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=33 Sat, 19 May 2007 13:42:00 GMT The Dow Jones scandal has sparked a wave of headlines regarding insider trading and options. The sad truth is that this is hardly a new phenomenon. Insider trading has always been the dirty little secret of the options business... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=32 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=32 Fri, 11 May 2007 13:44:00 GMT In Penny Pricing By the Numbers - Part One and Penny Pricing By the Numbers - Part Two, we took a look at the OPRA data from the first few months of the Penny Pilot. But what are we to make of these numbers? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=31 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=31 Mon, 7 May 2007 13:45:00 GMT Eurex Invades the U.S. Options Market and Gobbles Up a Major Player. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=30 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/comment/?id=30