http://www.theoptionsinsiders.com Education Articles en-us Copyright 2012 The Options Insider Sat, 4 Feb 2012 03:11:00 GMT 20 Fri, 3 Feb 2012 13:19:00 GMT We have discussed the straddle options strategy in the past, a strategy that traders can use when the market is volatile but direction is uncertain. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=9118 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=9118 Thu, 2 Feb 2012 12:15:00 GMT Please join ICE as it presents an overview of its new weekly options on sugar, coffee and cotton futures. Mark Longo of OptionsInsider.com will also discuss how you can incorporate these short-dated instruments into your trading. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=9104 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=9104 Wed, 1 Feb 2012 09:57:00 GMT After the giant earnings release in AAPL last week I thought it fitting to ponder if AAPL will payout some of that largesse they have squirreled away. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=9093 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=9093 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 10:30:00 GMT Here is the research that was used on Mad Money along with a slightly more indepth description. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=9037 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=9037 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 10:56:00 GMT This is always a hot topic and one I have plenty of experience with and have written about before. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=9038 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=9038 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:43:00 GMT A student recently emailed me to ask if I knew of an indicator or tool that could identify high quality trading environments versus choppy, unpredictable ones. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=9040 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=9040 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:52:00 GMT Let and s say that you have a moderately bullish bias toward a stock and the overall market is slightly bullish. Is there a way that you can take advantage of this investing scenario while limiting risk? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=9029 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=9029 Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:57:00 GMT Google Earnings Disappoint http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=9013 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=9013 Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:08:00 GMT The day someone decides they are going to pursue a trading career, they are typically making that decision because of the potential financial prize. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=9000 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=9000 Fri, 6 Jan 2012 14:34:00 GMT It and s been a rough ride for a lot of investors. Some investors are waiting (patiently) for some of their losers to turn around. Some traders are buying at new, cheaper prices. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8907 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8907 Thu, 5 Jan 2012 10:52:00 GMT With the SPX closing flat yesterday, I thought it would be interesting to identify other phenomena outside of the big indexes. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8892 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8892 Thu, 5 Jan 2012 12:14:00 GMT This article will explain the concept of LEAPS (Long-term Equity AnticiPation Securities) which is often puzzling to novice option traders. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8893 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8893 Wed, 4 Jan 2012 10:11:00 GMT Most investors have been told to diversify their portfolio. They think if they buy companies that are in different industries that they will be covered if there is some adversity in the markets. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8880 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8880 Wed, 4 Jan 2012 15:27:00 GMT There is a dilemma that traders who make their trading decisions off of the news have been facing on a regular basis recently. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8884 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8884 Tue, 3 Jan 2012 10:20:00 GMT Last week I had an interesting conversation with a couple of students. The interesting part was that it was the same conversation I and ve had with dozens of traders from around the world - be it in class, an airport, or even listening to a cab driver tell me about his trading! http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8866 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8866 Tue, 3 Jan 2012 12:05:00 GMT In a follow-up to Position Sizing by Using Max Loss: Part I, I will give you another example of a trade in which Position Sizing was done based on the Max Loss of a trade. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8867 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8867 Tue, 3 Jan 2012 13:37:00 GMT Novice gaps are the ultimate picture of novice greed in the market. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8871 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8871 Wed, 28 Dec 2011 09:57:00 GMT When facing trading, either intraday or even for longer term positions, one of the challenges we face is what stocks to trade. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8841 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8841 Wed, 28 Dec 2011 11:20:00 GMT I have been teaching our flagship seven day Professional Trader class in my hometown of London and today, we have been focusing on the most effective way to screen for equities to swing and position trade. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8842 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8842 Tue, 27 Dec 2011 08:19:00 GMT Taking a break from multiple radio hosting duties, Mark Longo sat down recently to chat with the people over at the World Money Show. The result? First, now is your chance to actually see the man behind the mic. But more important than that, this is a unique opportunity to watch Mark discuss volatility, covered calls, and time decay. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8827 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8827 Tue, 27 Dec 2011 10:31:00 GMT The key to profiting in any market is to have a simple strategy that has you buying low and selling high. The Forex markets, however, are a set of markets that allow traders, on occasion, to buy high and sell higher. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8832 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8832 Wed, 21 Dec 2011 12:32:00 GMT One of the most important steps in any option trade is to analyze implied volatility and historical volatility. This is the way option traders can gain edge in their trades. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8798 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8798 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 10:23:00 GMT This article, the first of two, will address the relationship between implied volatility (IV) and the movement of the underlying. Specifically, it will look at the positively correlated delta of a long call. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8750 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8750 Wed, 14 Dec 2011 11:26:00 GMT Option traders manage risk. Want a job description? That and s about it. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8741 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8741 Wed, 14 Dec 2011 12:21:00 GMT Okay, I finally confess to you all: I love the news! If you are reading this statement right now and you are a student of mine or familiar with my previous articles, you may actually be thinking that I have been pulling the wool over your eyes up until this very point due to the fact that I have spoken time and time again about how I keep my trading simple by just objectively following the imbalances in Supply and Demand on my Technical Price Charts. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8742 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8742 Tue, 13 Dec 2011 11:23:00 GMT Many traders do not use stop loss orders for fear that they will be stopped out only to see the price move in their favor once they are out. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8727 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8727 Fri, 9 Dec 2011 13:39:00 GMT I have been involved with trading and investing for more than fifteen years. The low risk profits I have produced are a function of trading what is real, not what I feel. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8701 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8701 Thu, 8 Dec 2011 09:38:00 GMT Sometimes it appears that a short vertical call could be fixed by going long the stock. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8685 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8685 Thu, 8 Dec 2011 16:27:00 GMT Commodity Futures trading is an exciting arena for some traders and an absolute nightmare for others. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8687 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8687 Wed, 7 Dec 2011 12:38:00 GMT One asset category that is not very well understood is what we refer to in the business as the credit markets. In the futures market, these encompass all debt instruments such as U.S. Treasury Bills, Notes, and Bonds, and are not limited to derivatives of debt issued by the U.S. treasury. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8672 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8672 Wed, 7 Dec 2011 13:28:00 GMT Continuing on in my discussion from last week, I plan to dissect more of the Ichimoku charting technique and show the practical application of it. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8675 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8675 Wed, 7 Dec 2011 13:48:00 GMT The purpose of this article will be to explain the two different purposes behind selling cash secured puts. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8676 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8676 Wed, 7 Dec 2011 14:03:00 GMT Different setups can be broken down into two different types of trades: Reversals and trend following. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8677 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8677 Tue, 6 Dec 2011 12:21:00 GMT Risk is one of the most important parts of trading that we must master if we are to have a long consistent trading career. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8658 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8658 Thu, 1 Dec 2011 10:10:00 GMT One of the basic directional spreads in trading options is that of the vertical spread. It is extremely versatile and represents a major building block of more complex spreads. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8621 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8621 Thu, 1 Dec 2011 12:18:00 GMT This article looks at the same put strike for a long put and also a short put. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8623 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8623 Thu, 1 Dec 2011 13:24:00 GMT New traders sometimes have questions as to which supply and demand zones to identify on the charts. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8627 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8627 Wed, 30 Nov 2011 10:18:00 GMT One of the hardest things to figure out is when a stock has changed its "personality." http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8606 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8606 Wed, 30 Nov 2011 12:35:00 GMT Have you ever asked a group of people what makes price move in a market? Try it sometime and notice how many different answers you get. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8607 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8607 Wed, 30 Nov 2011 13:06:00 GMT When trading, we want to get complete information and we want it quickly. A type of charting style that can assist us in making those decisions is the Ichimoku chart, also known as a cloud chart. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8610 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8610 Tue, 29 Nov 2011 13:59:00 GMT What to Know: Discussing crop reports and their impact on the ag options. Breaking down the recent volume trends in corn and wheat options - significant interest in upside protection in corn right now. Many traders, hedgers and speculators migrating into the weekly options vs. longer-term options What and s New: Corn and wheat volatility are on nearly equivalent levels - an unusual development that holds a great deal of potential for options traders. At these price/volatility levels, can wheat be an effective feed substitute for corn? What and s on Your Mind? Taking on listener questions http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8598 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8598 Tue, 29 Nov 2011 14:12:00 GMT How can you know how much an option is going to move with respect to said underlying? Very simple – check out its delta. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8599 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8599 Fri, 18 Nov 2011 13:30:00 GMT In order to support the point that there are more possible opportunities to benefit from selling options rather than buying them, this article will look into the intricacies of option buying and selling. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8536 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8536 Fri, 18 Nov 2011 14:18:00 GMT Anyone that decides to take trading to a professional level and not just as something "to dabble in" has to decide in what fashion he will engage the market. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8537 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8537 Wed, 16 Nov 2011 10:49:00 GMT In one of my most recent classes in New Jersey, we were comparing option strategies. Namely, we were talking about a cash secured put versus a Bull Put spread. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8507 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8507 Wed, 16 Nov 2011 12:11:00 GMT As traders, we are required to take decisive action. This is where having a written trading plan will help us to make those rapid decisions when the market conditions set up in our favor. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8512 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8512 Tue, 15 Nov 2011 20:42:00 GMT If you are a one time frame active trader, you are like the one trick pony. As soon as another pony comes along with two tricks, the one trick Pony can and t compete. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8499 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8499 Tue, 15 Nov 2011 20:50:00 GMT In looking at the trend and certain indicators, it looks as though the markets are in a stage three consolidation before a breakdown. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8500 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8500 Tue, 15 Nov 2011 21:01:00 GMT While the COT (Commitment of Traders) report may well be directly linked to the futures market, it can still be used as a highly useful resource for Forex trading as well http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8501 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8501 Wed, 9 Nov 2011 10:22:00 GMT Trading breakouts can be high risk, high stress, low reward, and low probability or this strategy can be low risk, low stress, high reward, and high probability. The difference lies in how you enter into this type of position. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8441 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8441 Wed, 9 Nov 2011 12:31:00 GMT On a recent flight, I was asked "Can you sum up what you do in one sentence that a lay person could understand?" http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8442 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8442 Wed, 9 Nov 2011 12:40:00 GMT Have you ever looked at a chart and had the supply/demand levels just jump out at you with such clarity that you almost knew that price would turn there in the future? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8443 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8443 Fri, 4 Nov 2011 12:54:00 GMT In this post, we will examine a couple of option trading cases that only use $200 seed capital. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8404 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8404 Thu, 3 Nov 2011 10:10:00 GMT As I looked at AAPL on LiveVolPro today I noticed something interesting a possible split strike butterfly play. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8388 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8388 Thu, 3 Nov 2011 10:47:00 GMT Over half of 2011 has been characterized by a low implied volatility (IV) environment in virtually all underlying securities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8390 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8390 Thu, 3 Nov 2011 10:58:00 GMT With the Forex markets in a constant state of uncertainty, and with overall market volatility on the rise, there has never been more of a need for traders across the board to make sure that they know exactly why they are taking action in the market at any given time and maintain discipline at all times. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8391 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8391 Wed, 2 Nov 2011 10:26:00 GMT I am so grateful that I had the privilege of starting my career in the financial markets on the trading floor of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. The most important lesson I learned was how money is REALLY transferred from one trader and s account to another. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8372 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8372 Wed, 2 Nov 2011 10:38:00 GMT When technicians chart using Point and Figure charts, they are doing so to identify and stay in longer trends. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8373 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8373 Wed, 26 Oct 2011 12:53:00 GMT Join Options Insider Founder Mark Longo as he dives into two of the hottest product categories in world of futures options - Metals and FX. Mark is joined by Craig LeVeille, Director of FX Products and Patricia Cauley, Director of Metals Products at CME Group. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8311 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8311 Mon, 24 Oct 2011 11:11:00 GMT This article will use a couple of examples in which Position Sizing can be done by using the Max Loss of a spread trade http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8279 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8279 Tue, 18 Oct 2011 12:09:00 GMT The trifecta of option greeks are delta, theta and vega. But the next most important greek is gamma. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8232 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8232 Tue, 18 Oct 2011 12:23:00 GMT What happens when both currencies have an extremely low rate? What else can a government do to weaken its currency? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8233 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8233 Thu, 13 Oct 2011 20:23:00 GMT Last week, I wrote about trading and gambling. Specifically, how trading is the one form of speculation on the planet that allows you to stack the odds in your favor before putting any of your hard-earned money at risk. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8192 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8192 Thu, 13 Oct 2011 20:37:00 GMT In my first article on Point and Figure (P and F) charting (That Figures), I discussed the basics of creating that style of chart. In this article, I will build upon that knowledge and show more advanced methods for identifying patterns and projecting price movement. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8193 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8193 Mon, 10 Oct 2011 10:21:00 GMT Volume and open interest are two very important options data that can help traders understand what is going on in the options market. it is an important part of any trader and s options education. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8164 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8164 Mon, 10 Oct 2011 11:02:00 GMT It seems almost on a daily basis there are news flashes having to do with the state of affairs in Greece. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8165 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8165 Thu, 6 Oct 2011 09:52:00 GMT As much as I like to write about all aspects of Forex trading in my articles, my favorite kind of lesson topics are when they deal with actual events that have happened recently in the market. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8140 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8140 Thu, 6 Oct 2011 13:04:00 GMT This article is aimed at answering the question of how to properly select a candidate for a cash secured put. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8143 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8143 Wed, 5 Oct 2011 09:43:00 GMT For years, anytime my career comes up in conversation, people insist that trading is nothing more than gambling. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8127 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8127 Wed, 5 Oct 2011 11:12:00 GMT To paraphrase Newton and s first law of motion, "An object in motion will stay in motion unless acted upon by an outside force." We see this all the time in nature (try jumping and gravity pulls you down), but did you know that it can apply to the markets as well? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8128 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8128 Fri, 30 Sep 2011 12:37:00 GMT Several groups of option strategies have defined maximum rewards that are approached as a result of the passage of time, changes in implied volatility (IV), and/or movement or failure of movement in price of the underlying. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8089 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8089 Thu, 29 Sep 2011 11:04:00 GMT In this week and s post, I would like to address a couple of fundamental topics to help explain why the market is behaving like it is. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8073 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8073 Wed, 28 Sep 2011 09:39:00 GMT During our developmental years, we are taught/conditioned to think certain ways whether we realize it at the time or not. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8060 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8060 Wed, 28 Sep 2011 10:10:00 GMT Long before we had computers to chart price, traders were making a living and doing it by watching price movement. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8062 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8062 Tue, 27 Sep 2011 13:45:00 GMT Most traders, when trying to determine if a market is overbought or oversold, rely on an indicator. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8053 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8053 Mon, 26 Sep 2011 12:19:00 GMT When a trade goes wrong, a trader is presented with two choices: The trader could take responsibility for the trade going against their initial plan, or the trader could attempt to pass the responsibility onto someone else. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8037 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8037 Thu, 22 Sep 2011 10:06:00 GMT One infrequently discussed topic important to understand in becoming familiar with the mechanics of option trading is that of the various settlement mechanisms. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8006 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8006 Thu, 22 Sep 2011 11:23:00 GMT Over the last few weeks, I have pointed out on several occasions that Iron Condors look like a nice trade. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8007 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8007 Thu, 22 Sep 2011 13:37:00 GMT How about this volatility in the Futures markets that we are experiencing? Some point to events like geopolitical and natural disasters for causing this elevated volatility. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8014 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=8014 Wed, 21 Sep 2011 12:58:00 GMT A question that is often raised in the class when the topic of verticals is being taught is: When is the best time to do credit spreads versus debit spreads? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7997 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7997 Tue, 20 Sep 2011 11:15:00 GMT In my seven years of being involved in the world of trading, I have never met a fellow market speculator who has at some point in their trading journey not gone looking for the perfect set of technical tools or indicators. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7981 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7981 Tue, 20 Sep 2011 12:35:00 GMT Sometimes, the worst thing that can take place for a new trader is to have a string of winners. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7982 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7982 Fri, 16 Sep 2011 10:24:00 GMT In a recent class, the students kept asking me to explain how to locate and trade chart patterns. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7952 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7952 Thu, 15 Sep 2011 09:31:00 GMT One of the things I am always fascinated with is how we are taught to do certain things and how we learn, specifically when it comes to anything that has to do with competing http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7940 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7940 Wed, 14 Sep 2011 12:23:00 GMT This week I want to show you how the weekend gap can occasionally be a good trading opportunity for the Forex trader. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7928 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7928 Thu, 8 Sep 2011 10:36:00 GMT Last Thursday, following the market and rsquo;s close, Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) investors were dealt a tremendous blow. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7880 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7880 Wed, 7 Sep 2011 10:11:00 GMT Unless you have been hiding under a rock for the past year, you are aware of the dramatic rise in the price of gold and also its use as a safe haven for investors trying to escape the tumultuous markets. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7868 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7868 Tue, 6 Sep 2011 11:36:00 GMT When looking for quality supply and demand levels (market timing) on a chart, it tends to be easier to spot key levels on the larger time frames. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7851 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7851 Thu, 1 Sep 2011 11:03:00 GMT Josip answers reader questions http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7822 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7822 Wed, 31 Aug 2011 10:00:00 GMT Markets are continually in a state of moving from range contraction to range expansion. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7809 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7809 Tue, 30 Aug 2011 14:14:00 GMT As many of you already know, trading the money markets is perhaps one of the most challenging endeavors any person can take on. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7801 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7801 Mon, 29 Aug 2011 12:48:00 GMT In analyzing many new traders and performances, I have seen a disturbing pattern. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7787 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7787 Fri, 26 Aug 2011 12:15:00 GMT The first thought conjured up when laypeople hear the words futures trading is that it and s pretty much just another form of gambling. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7767 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7767 Thu, 25 Aug 2011 11:43:00 GMT "May you live in interesting times" is an ancient Chinese curse. The fact that the last few weeks have seen neck snapping and wild changes in volatility, I think we qualify for living in what these philosophers would consider to be interesting times. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7752 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7752 Wed, 24 Aug 2011 13:43:00 GMT If you do what everybody else does, do you really have an edge? That would be a no. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7745 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7745 Tue, 23 Aug 2011 11:33:00 GMT Recently, I taught a class in Houston, Texas, and many of the students had a hard time understanding what they should be actually focusing on when looking at an option chain. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7727 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7727 Fri, 19 Aug 2011 12:34:00 GMT To the new option trader, it often seems as if he has entered into the terra incognita of the derivatives world through Alice and s looking glass. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7702 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7702 Thu, 18 Aug 2011 10:27:00 GMT What is a trading plan? It and s a set of rules that you will follow as your trading business evolves. A few suggestions for included topics in the trading plan are as follows: http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7689 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7689 Tue, 16 Aug 2011 11:57:00 GMT Want to know if you will be a successful trader or not before you dive too deep into the world of trading and spend too much time in front of your computer? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7662 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7662 Tue, 16 Aug 2011 13:30:00 GMT On January 12th of 2010, I wrote an article titled, "2010, Back to the Future?" In the article, I remarked at how the economic environment was starting to mirror that of the 1970 and s. We still have sluggish growth, high unemployment and some signs of inflation rearing up again. Even Big Ben is hinting that QE3 may not be too far away from reality http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7668 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7668 Mon, 15 Aug 2011 11:15:00 GMT Welcome to the premiere of The Long and Short of Futures Options. In this episode, www.TheOptionsInsider.com Founder Mark Longo dives into the explosive world of agricultural options, with a particular emphasis on corn options. Mark is joined by Tim Andriesen (MD, Ag Commodities and Alt. Investment Products, CME Group) and David Lehman (MD, Commodity Research and Product Development, CME Group) to examine the mysteries behind the corn option frenzy. In addition, Mark, David and Tim examine the growing interest in weekly corn options, the plans for the Corn VIX, and much more. They even take a few minutes to answer listener questions regarding agricultural options. The Long and Short of Futures Options: The Great Ag Explosion is required listening for all current agricultural options traders, as well those planning to enter this dynamic marketplace for the first time. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7651 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7651 Fri, 12 Aug 2011 12:38:00 GMT Many traders often ask me what the "Golden Cross" is. The actual definition of a Golden Cross is when a shorter moving average finally crosses a longer one, thus confirming a trend is intact http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7626 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7626 Fri, 12 Aug 2011 10:35:00 GMT This week I would like to take a look at the possibility that you missed a terrific entry on a trade, but you are still confident in the eventual destination. How far are you willing to "chase" the trade? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7634 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7634 Fri, 12 Aug 2011 12:25:00 GMT Unlike a Stock that has no expiration, this creates a few challenges to the Commodity trader. The question soon becomes, "Which chart do I trade Commodities on - Continuous or Contract Specific?" http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7636 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7636 Thu, 11 Aug 2011 11:02:00 GMT Last time we talked about an options trader having a commitment to excellence. This time we and ll go over why an options trader needs a trading plan and how to go about writing one. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7625 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7625 Wed, 10 Aug 2011 11:46:00 GMT At the core of any significant economic, political, scientific, social, medical, psychological or cultural theory lies a quest to understand and quantify the forces of change, action or energy. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7614 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7614 Tue, 9 Aug 2011 10:13:00 GMT One of the most perplexing areas of trading is identifying trends early enough to still have low risk and high reward entries. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7598 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7598 Fri, 5 Aug 2011 10:12:00 GMT Have you ever wondered what makes a great options trader? I don and t mean an options trader that does pretty well, but one that you envy and want to be? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7576 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7576 Fri, 5 Aug 2011 13:00:00 GMT In a class in Northridge, CA, we were looking at the market as it was stuck in a channel and we were considering placing a trade. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7578 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7578 Thu, 4 Aug 2011 11:40:00 GMT In every Forex class I teach at Online Trading Academy, we discuss certain "odds enhancers" that can help us in our trading. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7563 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7563 Thu, 4 Aug 2011 13:42:00 GMT The recent debt ceiling crisis represents the beginning of a new era that will undoubtedly leave permanent scars on the U.S. economy. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7566 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7566 Wed, 3 Aug 2011 10:23:00 GMT One of the indicators I use often is the Commodity Channel Index (CCI). http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7550 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7550 Tue, 2 Aug 2011 12:46:00 GMT This article will examine the specifics of a butterfly trade that one of our students had recently taken without truly knowing what he did. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7542 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7542 Mon, 1 Aug 2011 10:22:00 GMT I have often told swing traders, if you are looking for clues to the probable direction of your stock, look to the major influences. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7525 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7525 Mon, 1 Aug 2011 12:16:00 GMT This week we will continue the driving theme while we look at charts to help us determine high probability/low risk trades. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7527 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7527 Fri, 29 Jul 2011 11:25:00 GMT This question can be inviting under the right circumstances. However, in the Futures markets, it could mean you are in for a large move against your position when the market reopens in the morning. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7512 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7512 Thu, 28 Jul 2011 10:44:00 GMT In an attempt to understand the complexities of the world they observed in daily life, ancient Babylonian philosophers considered all things to be constituted of one or more of the four classical elements of: earth, air, water, and fire. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7501 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7501 Thu, 28 Jul 2011 11:46:00 GMT Perhaps the most easily understood of the options price influences is the price of the underlying. All stock traders are conversant with the impact of the underlying stock price alone on their trades. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7502 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7502 Wed, 27 Jul 2011 12:00:00 GMT Occasionally a new student will think that there is a magic wand that we can wave which will make someone a successful trader. "Abracadabra, you now know the Holy Grail; next week you will make $1000 a day trading!" http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7489 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7489 Wed, 27 Jul 2011 13:08:00 GMT In a recent article, I wrote about the new Alpha options. Yet, I have found out while teaching an Options class that a lot of students are still struggling with the concept of just plain options. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7490 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7490 Tue, 26 Jul 2011 08:30:00 GMT Math plays a big part in a trader and s life, but not in the way you might think. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7470 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7470 Tue, 26 Jul 2011 12:00:00 GMT Moving averages are a part of many traders and analysis tools. A question I usually get from students is, "What period moving average is best to use?" http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7472 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7472 Mon, 25 Jul 2011 11:45:00 GMT This week I would like to go into the thought process we all went through when learning how to trade, and when we learned how to trust our supply and demand zones. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7461 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7461 Mon, 25 Jul 2011 12:55:00 GMT Often I am asked to explain how to set realistic expectations for my targets, rather than having overly enthusiastic, optimistic, and somewhat unrealistic targets. One easy answer would be: Just check the readings of the ATR (Average True Range) on the chart for the time frame that you are planning to trade. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7462 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7462 Wed, 20 Jul 2011 11:34:00 GMT One fascinating realization I have come across during my years in the trading education industry is how different female and male traders can approach, analyze and trade the markets. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7429 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7429 Wed, 20 Jul 2011 11:57:00 GMT Now that we have discussed the major, intermediate and minor tops and bottoms, we can now introduce a tool called the Gann Fan to identify potential support and resistance levels as we move in trend from those areas. This http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7431 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7431 Fri, 15 Jul 2011 11:06:00 GMT After the close on Thursday, even as traders were marveling at the 13% move after Google announced its earnings triumph, Baidu was also up substantially after hours (2.8%) on no apparent news. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7392 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7392 Fri, 15 Jul 2011 12:24:00 GMT This more visible portion of the clan retains the characteristic defining points of family identity: a variably large range of profitability with regard to price of the underlying and the theta positive blood type. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7393 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7393 Tue, 12 Jul 2011 13:30:00 GMT Join us for a sneak preview of the latest addition to The Options Insider Radio Network - The Long and Short of Futures Options. In this episode, Mark is joined by Tom Boggs, Director of Equity Products - CME Group and Peter Barker, Director of Interest Rate Products - CME Group. They discuss a wide range of topics pertaining to futures options and futures options trading. If you and re a futures options trader, or if you and re considering adding futures options to your portfolio, then you owe it to yourself to listen to this sneak preview of The Long and Short of Futures Options. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7366 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7366 Fri, 8 Jul 2011 09:56:00 GMT The naked call is defined as an option strategy where an option player sells (writes) call options without owning the underlying security. Some may refer to this strategy as an "uncovered call" or "short call." http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7335 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7335 Fri, 8 Jul 2011 10:10:00 GMT Risk, this is something we all try to avoid, but we also know that with risk comes reward. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7336 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7336 Fri, 8 Jul 2011 10:34:00 GMT Recently, I have received many questions about a very simple approach to trading which I employ for my own trading. Below are some of those questions and the answers to help you use the strategy rules. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7337 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7337 Fri, 8 Jul 2011 10:41:00 GMT I would like to further explore trading opportunities using the major, intermediate and minor tops and bottoms. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7338 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7338 Wed, 6 Jul 2011 10:47:00 GMT Because it is the fancifully named winged beast category that garners the most attention, I thought today we could focus on the often overlooked members of the group: double calendars and double diagonals. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7319 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7319 Wed, 29 Jun 2011 10:47:00 GMT Moneyness isn and t a word, is it? It won and t be found on spell-check, but moneyness is a very important term when it comes to options. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7277 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7277 Tue, 28 Jun 2011 11:58:00 GMT In order to determine the directional bias of the SPY, DIA, and QQQ, you use their various underlying instruments to determine whether you should go long or short on these index-tracking exchange traded funds. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7266 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7266 Thu, 23 Jun 2011 11:20:00 GMT One of the most common complaints we instructors hear is, "I and m not sure which supply zone to sell in or which demand zone to buy in. There are so many of them!" While this can be true, one of the odds enhancers we can use is an oscillator of the price action. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7239 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7239 Wed, 22 Jun 2011 10:38:00 GMT Gann Theoryis a popular style of analysis that looks at patterns and repeatable price action based on time. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7230 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7230 Fri, 17 Jun 2011 10:29:00 GMT The winning attitude almost always beat the losing attitude and always will. The winning teams play with one thought, that and s "to win." The losing teams also play with one thought, "not to lose." http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7200 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7200 Wed, 15 Jun 2011 11:42:00 GMT Today I want to talk a little bit about the mental side of trading. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7181 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7181 Tue, 14 Jun 2011 09:46:00 GMT In a straddle, the investor is betting on both sides of a trade by purchasing options with the same strike price and the same expiration date, on the same underlying. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7168 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7168 Mon, 13 Jun 2011 10:04:00 GMT The World Federation of Exchanges and Derivatives Market Survey for 2010 included a special breakout section on FLEX Options. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7157 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7157 Fri, 10 Jun 2011 13:53:00 GMT Consistently profitable traders rely on more than one piece of information for making a trading decision; they will use tools that help them spot confluences at specific price levels. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7147 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7147 Fri, 10 Jun 2011 14:07:00 GMT In a discussion I and ve been having with other volatility traders on LinkedIn, I and ve been trying to get the point across that a properly constructed and hedged calendar-spread portfolio won and t exhibit the "exploding gamma" (their words, not mine) one sees in a single, one-strike calendar spread as expiration approaches. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7150 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7150 Wed, 8 Jun 2011 20:49:00 GMT Just a little food for thought on the market though: the last time we threatened to break 1275 was during the Japan meltdown, the VIX touched 30 then. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7125 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7125 Wed, 8 Jun 2011 13:09:00 GMT Success is an open textbook exam; the answers are out there for all to see. Just like the prints/time and sales are there for all the market participants to see. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7130 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7130 Tue, 7 Jun 2011 09:50:00 GMT Newer traders are always seeking out the opportunity to buy the absolute low or sell at the absolute high of a move. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7116 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7116 Tue, 7 Jun 2011 10:16:00 GMT This post is going to explore a little bit about why a central bank may intervene in its currency, and how we can trade (or not trade!) this development. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7118 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7118 Wed, 1 Jun 2011 12:13:00 GMT A lot of investors are enamored by the all mighty put – especially buying the shortest-term, or front month, put for protection. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7078 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7078 Wed, 1 Jun 2011 07:40:00 GMT We and ve all grown up being told that knowledge is power, and rightly so I might add, as long as it and s useful information. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7080 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7080 Wed, 1 Jun 2011 07:42:00 GMT While I feel like I have seen it all, the one thing that still surprises me is how most traders handle breakouts. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7081 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7081 Wed, 25 May 2011 14:02:00 GMT Trading is not an easy business. If it were, every person on the planet would be driving a Rolls Royce. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7050 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7050 Thu, 19 May 2011 10:48:00 GMT The footprints of gigantic option trades can easily be discovered on the tape. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7012 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=7012 Mon, 16 May 2011 11:24:00 GMT You believe that this stock, despite its high price, continues to have tremendous upside potential. What can you do to maximize your money and cash in on the perceived upside? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6976 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6976 Tue, 10 May 2011 09:13:00 GMT Let and say that you have a moderately bullish bias toward a stock and the overall market is slightly bullish. Is there a way that you can take advantage of this investing scenario while limiting risk? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6943 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6943 Tue, 3 May 2011 12:54:00 GMT As traders, we often rely on technical indicators for signals to help identify turning points in the prices of both the markets and our stocks. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6904 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6904 Tue, 3 May 2011 14:23:00 GMT So you and ve analyzed the charts and have decided that your currency pair is trading at the right location for a possible reversal - a clear level of supply or demand. The questions in the back of most traders and minds are, "Will this level hold? Am I too early?" http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6905 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6905 Mon, 2 May 2011 13:42:00 GMT So often at Online Trading Academy, I speak with market speculators both new and experienced and realize they are talking about something they think they completely understand when in reality, their perception of the truth is very wrong. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6894 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6894 Thu, 28 Apr 2011 11:41:00 GMT Say you hear a takeover rumor. A $50 stock is rumored to be taken out at $55. Looks like a nice spec trade. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6874 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6874 Thu, 28 Apr 2011 12:01:00 GMT It never ceases to amaze me how "conventional wisdom" about investing and trading is so far removed from the realities of successful speculation http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6878 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6878 Mon, 25 Apr 2011 13:10:00 GMT How many banner ads/pop-up ads/trading websites are out there advertising to the new trader a 1 to 3 risk to reward ratio trading system? After a brief internet search, the results were very few and far between. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6852 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6852 Wed, 20 Apr 2011 11:50:00 GMT One of the most important steps in any option trade is to analyze implied volatility and historical volatility. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6829 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6829 Wed, 20 Apr 2011 14:51:00 GMT The benefits of waiting for the retest is that the weak traders who were shaken out will now want to re-enter and will strengthen the trend as you gain in profits. You http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6833 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6833 Mon, 18 Apr 2011 13:17:00 GMT The key to trading anything is to attain the lowest risk, highest reward and highest probability entries into a market. To do this, we must be able to predict where markets are going to turn (change direction) in advance, with a very high degree of accuracy. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6812 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6812 Thu, 14 Apr 2011 11:08:00 GMT Though there is no perfect entry, valid entries do need to be determined off the charts. When one is found, then the correct option strategy can be selected so that you may benefit from the leverage of options on the trade. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6793 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6793 Thu, 14 Apr 2011 13:25:00 GMT Open interest can be defined as the cumulative number of Futures or Options contracts that have not expired, been offset or fulfilled by taking or making delivery after the close of each trading day http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6794 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6794 Wed, 13 Apr 2011 11:53:00 GMT Many traders depend on technical indicators to decide whether to buy or sell stock. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6784 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6784 Wed, 13 Apr 2011 11:54:00 GMT This week and s article isn and t about the Spot Forex market specifically, but trading and charts in general. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6785 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6785 Tue, 12 Apr 2011 10:58:00 GMT When selling a put spread (bull credit spread) a trader is really selling a put somewhat close to the money and buying the put somewhat further away. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6776 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6776 Mon, 11 Apr 2011 12:40:00 GMT I had entered the limit sell order and forgot to enter the protective buy stop and profit target like I normally do, oops!! http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6765 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6765 Fri, 8 Apr 2011 10:33:00 GMT Option trading is easy. Well, let me qualify that statement just a bit. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6756 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6756 Thu, 7 Apr 2011 15:37:00 GMT There are many similarities between speculating in the financial markets and playing poker. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6748 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6748 Wed, 6 Apr 2011 10:40:00 GMT When I explain to my option mentoring students that just because implied volatility is low, doesn and t mean that a calendar is a good idea...its days like yesterday that I am thinking about. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6737 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6737 Wed, 6 Apr 2011 10:44:00 GMT When we enter into a long trade, we want to buy at the strongest level of demand in order to have a high probability for success. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6738 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6738 Tue, 5 Apr 2011 09:44:00 GMT One of the most common mistakes my option mentoring students make is to misunderstand theta. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6728 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6728 Mon, 4 Apr 2011 09:20:00 GMT The recent run-up in Silver prices has certainly spiked option volatility, and with the market appearing a bit overbought, at least in the short-term, a bearish short-term trading strategy may be in order. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6717 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6717 Thu, 31 Mar 2011 08:54:00 GMT To be good at anything requires learning the fundamentals and constantly working on them throughout your career. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6700 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6700 Thu, 31 Mar 2011 10:25:00 GMT Traditionally, Commodity Futures contracts are settled by physical delivery upon expiration. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6702 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6702 Mon, 28 Mar 2011 09:11:00 GMT Have you ever wondered why the percentage of people who fail at trading is so high? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6675 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6675 Mon, 28 Mar 2011 09:15:00 GMT "When trading, is it better to trade with the market and longer term trend, or can you ignore it and trade just the short-term?" http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6677 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6677 Mon, 28 Mar 2011 10:03:00 GMT One of the more common trading rules that traders have in their Trading Plan is to take trades with at least a certain Risk:Reward ratio. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6678 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6678 Mon, 28 Mar 2011 10:06:00 GMT Recently, I received an email that was quite interesting from a student who had a loan with a bank that he wanted the bank to pay for indirectly. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6679 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6679 Wed, 23 Mar 2011 10:13:00 GMT Setting a stop loss order on a stock that goes down helps protect against "loser" stocks. But if you and re stopped out on a stock that ends up winning, well than you and re the "loser." http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6652 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6652 Tue, 22 Mar 2011 11:39:00 GMT Option theory may work great – in theory, but sometimes it pays to take a look at how options actually behave in the open market. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6640 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6640 Tue, 22 Mar 2011 11:44:00 GMT Adjusting option positions is an essential skill for options traders. Adjusting options positions helps traders repair strategies that have gone wrong (or are beginning to go wrong) and often turn losers into winners. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6641 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6641 Fri, 18 Mar 2011 10:12:00 GMT Recently, I taught an option class in NYC during which we were covering the use of longer term options. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6621 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6621 Fri, 18 Mar 2011 10:20:00 GMT In the field of financial speculation, the boundaries of pain and pleasure are constantly being tested. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6622 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6622 Fri, 18 Mar 2011 10:51:00 GMT Do you feel like you and ve seen this movie before? Trouble in the Middle East. People in the streets; panic in the market. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6624 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6624 Wed, 16 Mar 2011 14:09:00 GMT One of the important odds enhancers for analyzing our trades is how price arrives to test the supply or demand level. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6608 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6608 Wed, 16 Mar 2011 14:14:00 GMT Is your trading profit and loss kind of like the weather here in Texas this winter? That is hot one week, cold the next, hot the next week, cold the next, and on and on and on? There are a couple of things that could contribute to these swings in the P and L. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6609 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6609 Wed, 16 Mar 2011 14:18:00 GMT I highly suggest that you follow strict position sizing based on your money management parameters. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6610 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6610 Tue, 15 Mar 2011 09:45:00 GMT I know many traders (and former traders) that have blown up their accounts (in some cases several accounts) and had to stop trading. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6595 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6595 Thu, 10 Mar 2011 12:12:00 GMT The goal for most traders is consistent profits; life-long income from speculating in markets. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6575 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6575 Wed, 9 Mar 2011 13:14:00 GMT Option traders manage risk. Want a job description? That and s about it. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6562 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6562 Wed, 9 Mar 2011 12:02:00 GMT A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away from here, options watchers used to obsess over "expiration pins." http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6563 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6563 Wed, 9 Mar 2011 15:28:00 GMT Commodity Futures markets are dominated by Commercial traders on a daily basis. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6568 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6568 Fri, 4 Mar 2011 10:58:00 GMT Option traders, any one of my option mentoring students can tell you that I am not usually a fan of double calendars. However, under specific circumstances they can make some sense. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6532 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6532 Wed, 2 Mar 2011 15:18:00 GMT One of the common misconceptions to new traders is the notion that there is a certain "Holy Grail" combination of settings and / or patterns that will make anyone successful. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6520 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6520 Tue, 1 Mar 2011 12:10:00 GMT Learning a skill doesn and t mean you are ready to apply it efficiently and immediately. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6506 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6506 Mon, 28 Feb 2011 10:02:00 GMT It was standard trader lingo on the trading floor. "What and s your delta of making it to the party tonight?" http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6494 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6494 Mon, 28 Feb 2011 12:08:00 GMT Futures contracts do not use 52 week highs and lows as Stock traders do. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6498 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6498 Mon, 28 Feb 2011 13:10:00 GMT Consistent low risk profits from trading and investing is a challenge many millions of people take on, yet only a select few are ever able to attain. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6499 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6499 Fri, 25 Feb 2011 12:03:00 GMT This week I am going to show you a little bit about trend following and what time frame chart you should think about watching. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6486 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6486 Thu, 24 Feb 2011 11:52:00 GMT We want to let our winners run and cut losers short. By observing true price action in an easy format such as volume candles, we may be able to accomplish just that. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6479 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6479 Wed, 23 Feb 2011 09:58:00 GMT The trifecta of option greeks are delta, theta and vega. But the next most important greek is gamma http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6467 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6467 Thu, 17 Feb 2011 12:08:00 GMT It and s always puzzled me why so many people enter the financial markets believing that by simply reading a couple of books on technical analysis, or attending a weekend seminar, they would be equipped to begin a career in financial speculation. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6443 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6443 Thu, 17 Feb 2011 13:29:00 GMT "I was told we are not supposed to trade the open." http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6445 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6445 Wed, 16 Feb 2011 12:03:00 GMT I was recently having a discussion with a group of students on Calendars. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6434 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6434 Wed, 16 Feb 2011 12:33:00 GMT In this article, I will discuss and compare the intricacies of a long call versus the intricacies of a short put. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6437 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6437 Tue, 15 Feb 2011 09:37:00 GMT Volume and open interest are two very important options data that can help traders understand what is going on in the options market. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6421 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6421 Tue, 15 Feb 2011 11:13:00 GMT When we are reading charts and making decisions on probable price direction, it has less to do with the underlying company and more to do with people and s perception of that company and s current share price and the company and s future prospects. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6423 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6423 Tue, 15 Feb 2011 11:41:00 GMT In the beginning of a trader and s career, very often he or she will start off down one of two chart setup paths. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6424 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6424 Fri, 11 Feb 2011 15:56:00 GMT Is there a good reason that long term volatility is higher than near term volatility? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6400 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6400 Fri, 11 Feb 2011 10:21:00 GMT Knowledge of what specific sectors of the US market are doing technically is essential. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6401 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6401 Fri, 11 Feb 2011 10:23:00 GMT Commodities outpaced any other asset class in 2010 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6402 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6402 Fri, 11 Feb 2011 10:25:00 GMT Often, you come into a trading day looking for opportunities, only to find that there is nothing quality and all the good supply and demand levels are far from current price, which leaves the perception that there is not going to be anything to do for a while. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6403 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6403 Thu, 10 Feb 2011 08:53:00 GMT If options have similar Greeks, they will have similar volatility structures. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6390 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6390 Thu, 10 Feb 2011 13:00:00 GMT Trading without a full understanding of the markets and using the wrong tools is something I see often http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6395 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6395 Thu, 10 Feb 2011 14:19:00 GMT This week I and m going to discuss a very hot topic in the trading community - when is it okay to add to a losing position? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6396 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6396 Wed, 9 Feb 2011 10:05:00 GMT A friend of mine who has worked there for many years has built up a large position in the stock. His dilemma? He wants to stay bullish on his employer, but he may have too much stock in one single company from the perspective of a balanced portfolio. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6382 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6382 Wed, 9 Feb 2011 13:31:00 GMT Occam and s Razor is a scientific principle that suggests the simplest answer is typically the right answer. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6387 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6387 Tue, 8 Feb 2011 14:28:00 GMT One of the trades many of my option mentoring students are really paying attention to are put ratio spreads http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6376 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6376 Tue, 8 Feb 2011 12:44:00 GMT Similar to life or other careers, traders evolve through their experiences (good or bad), or perhaps because what they seek from the markets changes. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6377 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6377 Fri, 4 Feb 2011 12:17:00 GMT While implied volatility has fallen a bit from where it was on Friday, volatility skew, or smile has stayed elevated to a level that has caused iron condors to be a somewhat wider, and pay a touch more, both on the upside and the downside than the last time VIX got to 17%. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6355 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6355 Thu, 3 Feb 2011 12:35:00 GMT trendlines can be very helpful in your trading, as long as you use them correctly http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6349 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6349 Thu, 3 Feb 2011 14:14:00 GMT In this article, I will address some of the different possible outcomes for a short vertical spread. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6351 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6351 Wed, 2 Feb 2011 14:18:00 GMT Well, I decided to take a relaxing break from the seriousness of trading to look at the lighter side of stock analysis. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6340 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6340 Mon, 31 Jan 2011 11:38:00 GMT Proper Knowledge is Power in trading; this means making money if you have it and losing it if you don and t. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6316 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6316 Thu, 27 Jan 2011 12:17:00 GMT The advantage to selling calls, of course, is the option premium you collect in exchange for being willing to part with your stock at the strike price of the option you sold. The disadvantage is that you sacrifice potential upside gains. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6296 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6296 Wed, 26 Jan 2011 13:04:00 GMT After the hail of fire that daring to suggest gold might be overpriced drew upon reposting my latest gold-bubble article on Seeking Alpha, I decided to stay away from writing anything that implies "value" is nothing but a social construct. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6285 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6285 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 13:00:00 GMT To most new and struggling traders, being at the screen and seeking perfection in our trading performance can easily become our single focus, and this can often ironically lead to frustration and despair as we enter the market with a newly formed confidence, only to quickly discover that nothing has really changed from the last year after all http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6277 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6277 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 13:19:00 GMT In this article, I will go over a double diagonal trade that I was working on with Online Trading Academy option students in Colorado last month http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6279 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6279 Wed, 19 Jan 2011 11:19:00 GMT A short review from Part 1 of this article shows that each Futures contract has its own unique specifications. In these specifications is the size of the contract and from that we can determine, how much the entire contract is worth. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6232 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6232 Fri, 14 Jan 2011 13:13:00 GMT The New Year is always a time for reflection and looking forward to the opportunities that lie ahead. On Wall Street, it and s also when the performance of money managers is measured against the major market averages, and bonuses issued commensurate to those results. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6217 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6217 Thu, 13 Jan 2011 10:03:00 GMT I typically use the holiday to catch up on the many emails I receive from students and non-grads of Online Trading Academy worldwide, so I thought I would use this particular opportunity to answer some of those messages publicly, in an effort to share a little advice across the board: http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6207 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6207 Tue, 11 Jan 2011 13:39:00 GMT When we speak of a Futures Contract, we are referring to a standardized contract being created between two parties to either buy or sell a specific asset (Corn, Live Cattle, Oil, etc) having standardized quantity and a graded quality at a specified future date at the price agreed upon today. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6189 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6189 Mon, 10 Jan 2011 12:55:00 GMT As we enter 2011, there are some potential major market turning points to be aware of. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6180 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6180 Thu, 23 Dec 2010 09:37:00 GMT The equities markets have been on a tear lately; all the major indices are at, or near, multi-year highs. This is good news for so-called investors as they are generally long-only market participants. For those of us that trade on a shorter term basis, however, this type of market presents some challenges as well as opportunities - seen only if you look inside the daily and weekly candles. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6088 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6088 Wed, 22 Dec 2010 11:37:00 GMT I have found in my experiences as a trader that while there is undoubtedly a huge selection of technical indicators built into most quality trading and charting platforms, after time experimenting with them all it becomes clear that where most are concerned, they can be divided into two separate categories: Momentum based and Oscillator based, with the former more widely used for the most basic buy and sell signals. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6078 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6078 Wed, 22 Dec 2010 11:44:00 GMT This trade started as a simple directional trade, but as it unfolded, the student-trader reversed his stance once (from overly Bullish to moderately Bullish), then as the trade did exactly what he expected in the first place, he reversed it once again. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6079 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6079 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 15:14:00 GMT One of my favorite styles of trading the Futures markets is the Intra-Commodity Spread. For this trade, we are going to be simultaneously buying and selling contracts of the same Commodity in different months. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6034 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6034 Tue, 14 Dec 2010 12:15:00 GMT For the subject of this week and s articles, I would like to illustrate three particular scenarios which deal with various aspects of risk management. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6018 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6018 Fri, 10 Dec 2010 13:55:00 GMT When people ask me what training has helped me become successful as a trader, they are usually surprised to hear that it is my background in psychology. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6004 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6004 Thu, 9 Dec 2010 09:43:00 GMT If it looks like a Duck, walks like a Duck, quacks like a Duck, smells like a Duck, it and s probably not a Lobster. No matter what the leading research analyst on Ducks and Lobsters says. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5992 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5992 Thu, 9 Dec 2010 10:00:00 GMT The Airport Trade was famous in the 90 and s when a floor member put on a huge position and left for Brazil. If it worked out, he came back and if it did not he became a new Rio resident. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5993 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5993 Wed, 8 Dec 2010 14:20:00 GMT In this article, I will comment on several emails that I have received from students on various topics relating to option trading http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5989 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5989 Tue, 7 Dec 2010 10:18:00 GMT If one were to look back upon the last year of price activity on the worldwide Forex markets, that person would be hard pressed to deny that it has been eventful to say the least. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5972 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5972 Tue, 7 Dec 2010 13:49:00 GMT A popular question when I was being interviewed by the Indian media was, "Do you think the Quantitative Easing Part 2 will work?" My immediate response is usually, "If the QE program by the Fed is so effective for getting the US economy on track, why did we have to have a second round?" http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5978 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5978 Fri, 3 Dec 2010 10:17:00 GMT It is time to revisit a piece I wrote a while back. Don and t worry, this is not simply a rehashed article, there is plenty more in "The Cycle of It, Part III." http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5957 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5957 Thu, 2 Dec 2010 11:22:00 GMT Many of us are already using support/resistance levels to locate possible turning points in the markets. We can identify these by looking at multiple time frame charts. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5947 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5947 Thu, 2 Dec 2010 12:46:00 GMT Recently, I received an email asking me to comment about the selection of weekly credit spreads. One glance at it made me realize that there was so much more to this than meets the eye. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5951 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5951 Wed, 1 Dec 2010 11:54:00 GMT Getting access to real-time CME or other Futures price feeds can be costly on the whole, and if you are trading Spot Forex, it would make little sense to pay out for a Futures price feed for the sake of it http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5935 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5935 Tue, 30 Nov 2010 10:44:00 GMT When leveraged and inverse ETFs were first launched, many investors weren and t aware of the negative effects that daily rebalancing would have on the long-term performance of those ETFs relative to their benchmarks http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5922 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5922 Tue, 30 Nov 2010 14:46:00 GMT The Polar Bear and the Seal... The Crocodile and the Wildebeest... The professional trader and the novice trader... What do these three relationships have in common? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5929 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5929 Tue, 23 Nov 2010 12:29:00 GMT The name of this newsletter comes from an email that I received just the other day. The subject line of the email read: Please help. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5901 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5901 Wed, 17 Nov 2010 10:26:00 GMT The point of this week and s article is to analyze last week and s trade. In order to do that, I will dissect last week and s trade into two pieces and explain the logic behind it. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5852 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5852 Wed, 17 Nov 2010 11:25:00 GMT Looking back over the last few weeks of price action across the major currency pairs, I feel that there has never been a time to be more disciplined and balanced in our trading activities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5853 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5853 Tue, 16 Nov 2010 13:46:00 GMT I have been fortunate enough to be able to spend time virtually with some of the brightest traders I have ever met and want to continue to contribute to their, and my, education and trading profitability. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5841 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5841 Thu, 11 Nov 2010 11:29:00 GMT Trading Commodity Futures used to be on pure Supply and Demand in the true sense before Index Funds came along http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5808 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5808 Wed, 10 Nov 2010 10:24:00 GMT This week I take a look at how, from a technical perspective, we can attempt to read the subtle signs of the market to give us an objective "heads up" of a possible change in market sentiment and direction. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5793 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5793 Wed, 10 Nov 2010 13:43:00 GMT There are always tradeoffs when it comes to trading options. The more in the money the option, the higher the price – at least in theory. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5796 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5796 Tue, 9 Nov 2010 15:11:00 GMT Several groups of option strategies have defined maximum rewards that are approached as a result of the passage of time, changes in implied volatility (IV), and/or movement or failure of movement in price of the underlying. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5789 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5789 Mon, 8 Nov 2010 14:29:00 GMT While there are many things to consider when making this decision, I wanted to share with you today a market that I consider to be one of my favorites, the Ten Year U.S. Treasury Note (TY) Futures. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5777 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5777 Tue, 2 Nov 2010 11:40:00 GMT It is often a daunting task deciphering the tremendous amount of information contained within an option chain for the trader beginning his study of the world of options. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5740 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5740 Thu, 28 Oct 2010 11:48:00 GMT Ever since I started to make consistent progress in my trading career, I have found that many of the day-to-day experiences I am faced with in life itself often have very similar parallels with the behavior and characteristics of the market, too. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5711 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5711 Wed, 27 Oct 2010 11:14:00 GMT When I started trading from home many years ago, I was trading from my home office in the basement of my house. It was just me, my computer, a television set, and the dog. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5702 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5702 Tue, 26 Oct 2010 11:39:00 GMT Classic parables of warning are often offered to traders considering exploring the world of option trading by those who do not understand the physiology of the various option "beasts". http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5689 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5689 Tue, 26 Oct 2010 12:49:00 GMT Over the last several weeks, my inbox has been bulging with questions from readers of Lessons from the Pros, and Online Trading Academy students alike. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5691 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5691 Tue, 19 Oct 2010 09:46:00 GMT There are many lessons from the golf course that can be directly applied to being successful in trading. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5637 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5637 Mon, 18 Oct 2010 11:14:00 GMT As much as I love exploring as many aspects of trading the markets as I can, I also believe that sometimes we all need to just slow down a little and take some much needed time to reflect on the bigger picture. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5627 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5627 Wed, 13 Oct 2010 12:10:00 GMT For traders entering the new world of option trading, there are many points of confusion. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5593 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5593 Tue, 12 Oct 2010 09:23:00 GMT I have covered in these newsletters the topic of debit, as well as credit spreads in great detail. However, I have not dabbled into the repair aspect of a trade and that is exactly what Curtis, a Kansas option student, asked me to do http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5583 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5583 Mon, 11 Oct 2010 13:01:00 GMT Many times I hear traders say they just want to make a certain amount of money per day trading, perhaps they are happy with $200, $500 etc. For most of them, I find out they are coming into trading from a career where they received a regular paycheck for some pre-set amount. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5576 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5576 Fri, 8 Oct 2010 12:56:00 GMT This week, I am going to explore a particular technique to filter the trade selection process, which in my opinion, is a skill to be learned early on in any burgeoning trader and s career. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5569 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5569 Wed, 6 Oct 2010 13:56:00 GMT One infrequently discussed topic important to understand in becoming familiar with the mechanics of option trading is that of the various settlement mechanisms. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5548 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5548 Wed, 6 Oct 2010 14:21:00 GMT Standard accounts of the option Greeks will explain that delta measures the rate of change in the price of an option per unit change in the underlying asset. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5550 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5550 Tue, 5 Oct 2010 10:03:00 GMT When it comes down to any kind of trading, be it Technical, Fundamental or a mixture of both, the serious speculator would be lost without charts. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5532 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5532 Tue, 5 Oct 2010 10:58:00 GMT All Futures contracts have expiration days where the contract literally stops trading. The Exchanges where the contracts trade are responsible for assigning positions to be delivered against for the commercial traders. Therefore, they would prefer to have as many speculators out of that contract before it expires as possible http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5535 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5535 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 13:44:00 GMT I am discussing the problems with conventional portfolio hedging methods because if widely-known conventional methods are suitable, then there and rsquo;s little reason why anyone should consider a novel method. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5497 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5497 Tue, 28 Sep 2010 09:15:00 GMT There and s an old saying that you can never go broke by taking profits. I believe that statement to be true, as long as the profits outstrip the losses by a ratio of at least five-to-one. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5481 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5481 Tue, 28 Sep 2010 13:17:00 GMT One of the bullish strategies in the armamentarium of the options trader is that of selling puts. The sales can be accomplished either as naked sales (aka selling "cash secured" puts when cash is set aside for potentially buying the stock in the event of assignment) or as one of two legs of a vertical credit spread (aka a bull put spread, a put credit spread, or for "those in the know" simply selling a put spread). http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5488 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5488 Mon, 27 Sep 2010 11:18:00 GMT In this article, I will look at the E-minis, which are a derivative of the S and P Cash Index, and at the options on the E-minis, which would in turn be a derivative of the derivative. I will explain how they each work in isolation, which will help demystify how the other one functions as well. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5476 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5476 Fri, 24 Sep 2010 11:49:00 GMT Following on from last week and s article, now is the best time to continue with our explanation of the different tools with which we can take part in trading the currency markets. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5464 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5464 Thu, 23 Sep 2010 12:56:00 GMT There is no doubt that the markets have been trying to move higher and higher recently. The questions on most traders and minds are: "How high can the indexes go? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5455 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5455 Mon, 20 Sep 2010 10:29:00 GMT This article will elaborate once again on the crucial importance of the Financials. In order to lay down my case, I will break the article into three segments and each will build on the previous one. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5417 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5417 Mon, 20 Sep 2010 12:02:00 GMT In an effort to give some perspective to the often asked question of whether to look at the overnight price chart (otherwise known as Globex), or stick to viewing only the day session information, in this piece, I and m going to show the different ways to look at both sets of data. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5421 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5421 Thu, 16 Sep 2010 12:50:00 GMT When most of us think about the Forex markets, we typically focus our attention on the area of Spot pairs trading. However, while the Spot arena accounts for the vast majority of all currency trading in the world today, we should also be aware that this is not the only way for traders and investors to take part in this highly liquid and popular market. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5400 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5400 Wed, 15 Sep 2010 14:59:00 GMT One of the major differences in option trading as opposed to equity trading is the impact of time on the various trade vehicles. Remember that quoted option premiums reflect the sum of both intrinsic (if any) and extrinsic (time) value. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5391 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5391 Tue, 14 Sep 2010 12:03:00 GMT Having been around the trading arena for many years, I have seen many changes to the world of trading. One of them has been how many new technical indicators and chart patterns have been introduced. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5376 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5376 Mon, 13 Sep 2010 09:43:00 GMT For the purpose of this week and s topic, I would like to talk about one of the most popular and respected technical indicators of all: Bollinger Bands. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5364 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5364 Wed, 8 Sep 2010 07:05:00 GMT Friday and s Jobs Data and the market and s reaction to it was no surprise. It was my belief that traders had decided several days prior to the release that equities would rally regardless due to the chatter in the market http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5329 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5329 Tue, 7 Sep 2010 09:02:00 GMT Just like in trading, there is very little involved with getting a motorcycle and then driving it on the roads. Without any mandatory training, you can purchase a bike with little money down, get your license and buy a helmet. For a trader to start out, he just needs to open a trading account for as little as $5,000 (controlling as much as $100K with leverage) and have an internet connection and he can start trading. Both of these events are missing key elements – training and experience. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5315 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5315 Tue, 7 Sep 2010 12:02:00 GMT One of the hallmarks of option trading is its extreme flexibility in both the initial construction of positions and in the ability to mutate forms to accommodate the evolution of a trader and rsquo;s thesis regarding the impending behavior of the underlying. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5318 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5318 Fri, 3 Sep 2010 13:14:00 GMT A continuation of a deep dive into delta. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5314 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5314 Thu, 2 Sep 2010 10:19:00 GMT The typical novice student usually comes to a class with a predefined perception of the markets and it is my job to show them the reality of how Forex really operates. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5301 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5301 Tue, 31 Aug 2010 11:52:00 GMT When it comes to trading different asset classes, I get more questions about the Futures markets than any other set of markets. This is because many people hear from others how great these markets are for short and long-term trading but know very little about them. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5283 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5283 Fri, 27 Aug 2010 09:31:00 GMT In this article, I will discuss a concept that is somewhat vague to many novice traders. First, I will define Delta in the most traditional way, and then I will provide an example of using Delta as a hedge. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5262 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5262 Fri, 27 Aug 2010 12:57:00 GMT The weekly options have been the topic of our blog discussions over several weeks now. Despite this topic being the trendy subject and in the forefront of many discussions, it is helpful to recognize the functional flexibility this dramatically shortened lifespan brings to a variety of strategies. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5265 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5265 Tue, 24 Aug 2010 08:45:00 GMT I believe that trading is 85% psychological, 10% risk management and 5% strategy. If you are just starting out in trading, keep this in mind. Too many times people are so busy looking for the Holy Grail trading strategy that they forget to work on the most important part of trading – themselves. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5229 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5229 Fri, 20 Aug 2010 13:08:00 GMT Summer is typically the season where market participants have things other than trading on their minds. Even more so, this vacation season, as the cloud of uncertainty hovers over the market. This lack of interest has been manifested in the low trading volume the market has experienced over the past several months. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5276 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5276 Thu, 19 Aug 2010 08:32:00 GMT Sam shares his experiences on becoming a professional trader http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5202 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5202 Thu, 19 Aug 2010 09:58:00 GMT In this article, I will address some of the questions that I have received from students over the past few months. The topics are strike price selection, exiting short option positions and current market analysis. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5205 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5205 Wed, 18 Aug 2010 08:25:00 GMT Over the past couple weeks, some very good questions have come in that I think may be on the minds of a few of our readers. Whether they are or aren and t, the goal of this piece is to enlighten you through Q and A with key trading nuggets that can help you reach your financial goals. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5193 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5193 Fri, 13 Aug 2010 08:39:00 GMT The 7 Pillars is a unique summary of the tried and tested skill sets which any rookie speculator needs to learn from in order to get the results they are looking for. For this week and s article, I would like to run through each of these 7 Pillars making them specific to the world of Forex trading, so we can all fully understand the main requirements and skill sets necessary to make it as a consistently profitable trader in today and s financial arena. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5166 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5166 Fri, 13 Aug 2010 12:34:00 GMT I held a press conference for members of the Mumbai economic press. One of the questions I received was, "Will your technical analysis technique work on our (Indian) markets?" The answer is a resounding yes and is obvious if you understand what trading is all about. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5169 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5169 Thu, 12 Aug 2010 08:49:00 GMT The 7 Pillars is a unique summary of the tried and tested skill sets which any rookie speculator needs to learn from in order to get the results they are looking for. For this week and s article, I would like to run through each of these 7 Pillars making them specific to the world of Forex trading, so we can all fully understand the main requirements and skill sets necessary to make it as a consistently profitable trader in today and s financial arena. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5153 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5153 Wed, 11 Aug 2010 10:25:00 GMT This article is the continuation of the previous one, Could the S and P Go Higher Without the Financials Participating?, which discussed whether the U.S. market could continue going higher when its biggest component, the financials, is approaching supply. I highly suggest rereading the last article for better comprehension of this one. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5143 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5143 Wed, 11 Aug 2010 12:03:00 GMT By the time the market opens in the morning, I have a short list of securities I want to watch closely. I watch for opportune times to enter or exit positions on my list. One thing I monitor closely is where stocks are trading relative to Volume-Weighted Average Price (VWAP). A lot of large players like pension funds and mutual funds have rules about where they http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5145 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5145 Tue, 10 Aug 2010 10:25:00 GMT In this article, I will discuss whether the U.S. market can continue going higher when its biggest component, the financials, are approaching supply. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5132 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5132 Tue, 10 Aug 2010 11:08:00 GMT I know most of you are wondering why I would write about a trade I would rather pass on than show you one that works. The reason I am doing this is because when it comes to selecting a trade, I usually pass on the majority of them. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5134 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5134 Tue, 3 Aug 2010 11:09:00 GMT Trading options has many uses: speculation, income, protection, and on. The current merger speculation around Genzyme Corporation (NASDAQ: GENZ) is an example where investors and speculators can take some refuge by buying some protection. If a buyout from Sanofi-Aventis (NYSE: SNY) does not occur, or if any other merger problems arise, the put options in Genzyme should offer at least some defense. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5076 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5076 Thu, 29 Jul 2010 08:23:00 GMT Options greeks refer to how option values respond to changes in underlying stock price, implied volatility, and time to expiration. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5047 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5047 Wed, 28 Jul 2010 11:28:00 GMT For a while the major Oil Companies and Drillers were drifting out of the news. The nasty leak from the BP well was not getting constant attention any more as a mostly successful cap was put in place. Four of the largest Oil Companies are beginning a program for rapid response to a spill, all of which is very good. The problem is part of the market is not buying this, yet. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5034 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5034 Tue, 27 Jul 2010 22:32:00 GMT I was recently asked a question about option trading and the placing of stops. Although I answered that question right there and then, I felt that the topic of stop losses and options needed to be explained in more detail... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5021 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5021 Tue, 27 Jul 2010 11:43:00 GMT A recent discussion on options was started when this question was asked: If I want to buy a PWER stock option with its high growth because I don and rsquo;t have the money to buy it outright. What things in such a option should I look for and what should I avoid? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5025 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5025 Mon, 26 Jul 2010 12:20:00 GMT Time to expiration, price of the underlying, implied volatility, historical volatility, puts, calls, delta, gamma, theta, vega, in the money, at the money, out of the money, intrinsic value, extrinsic value, higher commissions, egregious bid ask spreads, no options traded on a stock with a beautiful technical set up, multiple potential beasts and physiologies, LEAPS; why would one even bother with options? If I retain a shred of rationality, an open question to be sure, there must be some reason to complicate my life with these additional variables. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5016 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=5016 Thu, 22 Jul 2010 10:34:00 GMT I learned about one risk of buying LEAPS the hard way. LEAPS (Long-Term Equity Anticipation Securities) are options that expire in a year or more. That means they generally have a lot of time premium built into them. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4992 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4992 Wed, 21 Jul 2010 08:48:00 GMT Detailed Q and A on this fundamental and vital strategy http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4979 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4979 Mon, 19 Jul 2010 11:54:00 GMT "Delta:" What does it mean and how do you use it? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4962 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4962 Thu, 8 Jul 2010 10:08:00 GMT Implied volatility is a major determinate of the magnitude of the extrinsic option premium. Considered together with time, these two factors act in concert to define the pricing of the time value (extrinsic value) of options. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4891 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4891 Thu, 17 Jun 2010 23:09:00 GMT A friend of mine in the futures pit had been having a rough time of late when he asked me a typical question among us traders – How do I come back from a loss? Since he had been having a "rough patch" and not just one bad trade, I gave him the following advice that is to be used over a period of time... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4753 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4753 Tue, 8 Jun 2010 13:28:00 GMT Attention New York readers!! Mark will be moderating discussion at a High Frequency Trading forum on Wednesday, June 9. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4690 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4690 Sat, 5 Jun 2010 14:17:00 GMT Options offer a number of unique advantages to the trader, but perhaps the single most attractive characteristic is the ability to control risk precisely and to do so with surgical precision. Much of this advantage derives from the ability to control positions equivalent to stock with far less capital commitment. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4667 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4667 Thu, 3 Jun 2010 23:40:00 GMT In my most recent option class in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, I was asked a very specific question by one of the students. He was assigned on the sold option even though on the April and s expiry Friday the position, technically speaking, should not have been assigned to him. He asked me the same question that he has asked his broker: "Why was I assigned?!?" http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4647 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4647 Wed, 26 May 2010 23:11:00 GMT One of the questions that often comes up in many of my option classes when teaching the credit spread strategy is what to do with the short leg. This entire article will focus on providing a clear answer to that question, while covering all other relevant details. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4595 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4595 Tue, 4 May 2010 11:00:00 GMT The recent massive oil spill that now threatens major wildlife areas along the Gulf Coast is a reminder of how "black swan" events can impact our lives in unforeseen and unforeseeable ways. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4437 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4437 Mon, 26 Apr 2010 01:08:00 GMT This article, on the topic of Covered Calls, will address three things: Buy-Write, Legging In, and the use of the MACD histogram as a timing tool for the sale of Covered Calls. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4378 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4378 Thu, 22 Apr 2010 23:28:00 GMT Iron condors are a relatively straightforward in the pre-trade analysis and order entry process. It is a high cost strategy to trade so most options-centered brokers have made it easy for traders to execute easily. The difficulty of an iron condor is in the trade management and adjustment process. Effectively managing an iron condor trade when the market is moving is ambiguous and subject to your own personal risk tolerance. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4366 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4366 Wed, 21 Apr 2010 23:02:00 GMT An iron condor can be designed to accommodate your risk tolerance and account objectives but those adjustments will always have a trade off. As with most option selling strategies this means there is an exchange of a higher probability of a successful outcome and lower premiums or higher risk and larger premiums. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4358 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4358 Tue, 20 Apr 2010 23:04:00 GMT There are more option strategies than option strategists but at their heart they are all modifications of basically two ideas - buying or selling options. The proliferation of options strategies come from the infinite ways that these two concepts can be combined. Some of these combinations can be great ideas but others are just commission generators with the difference usually resting on how you implement them as a trader. In this article we will start discussing one such combination strategy that is becoming more and more popular with option investors all the time - the iron condor. An iron condor is a combination of a long and short strangle, which is also the same as two credit spreads. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4343 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4343 Tue, 20 Apr 2010 09:37:00 GMT Confused about options terminology? Join the club. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4345 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4345 Sat, 17 Apr 2010 10:24:00 GMT Economic indicators released in the week of April 19 - April 23, 2010. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4331 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4331 Fri, 16 Apr 2010 22:53:00 GMT Every time we sell a call option contract, we take upon ourselves the obligation to sell our long stock. So how can our OTM covered call allow us to have greater potential to hold onto our long stock for greater participation on a move upside than if we had sold an ATM call, while still being protected from not just some, but the majority of the downside risk? Trade a collar... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4323 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4323 Fri, 9 Apr 2010 10:28:00 GMT Economic Indicators being released for the week of April 12 - April 16 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4275 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4275 Wed, 7 Apr 2010 13:23:00 GMT In honor of the beginning of Major League Baseball and s opening games, this week and s article will cover a few of the "curveballs" that Spot Forex traders need to be aware of before they start their trading career. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6747 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6747 Tue, 6 Apr 2010 13:56:00 GMT Looking at the primal forces of price, time, and implied volatility. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4251 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4251 Sun, 4 Apr 2010 18:00:00 GMT A rundown of the U.S. economic indicators being released the week of April 5 through April 9. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4232 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4232 Thu, 1 Apr 2010 09:14:00 GMT Fundamentals. Without them, options traders don and t have a solid platform. Here and s your chance for a quick review... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4223 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4223 Sun, 28 Mar 2010 11:16:00 GMT A rundown of the U.S. economic indicators being released between March 29 and April 2 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4193 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4193 Fri, 26 Mar 2010 22:25:00 GMT In my most recent option class, I was asked to cover the topic of Covered Calls in greater detail than what is normally covered in the class presentation. As always, I pulled up an example thrown at me by my students and started studying the chart. The next step becomes an issue whether to enter into the trade at the same time (buying the stock and selling the call) or in two parts... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4184 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4184 Wed, 24 Mar 2010 13:04:00 GMT Seasonality, time decay, and other fun facts about premium sellers... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4167 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4167 Tue, 23 Mar 2010 09:04:00 GMT There is a whole winged class of mythical options families...let and s get started with an overview. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4155 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4155 Sun, 21 Mar 2010 10:01:00 GMT A rundown of the economic indicators being released between March 22 and March 26 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4141 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4141 Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:57:00 GMT Because it is the fancifully named winged beast category that garners the most attention, I thought we could focus on the often overlooked members of the group: double calendars and double diagonals. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4118 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4118 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 09:45:00 GMT A look at the economic indicators released in the week beginning March 15, 2010 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4088 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4088 Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:28:00 GMT An overview of naked calls http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4059 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4059 Fri, 5 Mar 2010 14:08:00 GMT It may not be a word, but it and s central to understanding options http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4032 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4032 Thu, 4 Mar 2010 10:25:00 GMT Bullish on your favorite stock? Selling naked puts might be a way to go... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4018 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=4018 Thu, 25 Feb 2010 22:42:00 GMT The final segment in our three-part exploration of the butterfly spread. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=3961 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=3961 Thu, 28 Jan 2010 23:59:00 GMT Many times I receive interesting questions from our graduates in my email box, and occasionally, I like to share them with our general reading audience. Here are some of the questions that I was asked recently. Some questions are related to the topics of options, others to stop losses, while others are on the topic of ETFs. Hence, in this article there is a bit for everyone. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=3805 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=3805 Wed, 27 Jan 2010 01:22:00 GMT A major story in late 2009 was the negative correlation between equities and the U.S. dollar. It appears the attention has been well deserved: both the 3-month and 1-year rolling correlations are the lowest they and rsquo;ve been in at least two decades. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=3794 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=3794 Thu, 21 Jan 2010 23:30:00 GMT This exposé, the second in a series of articles on the topic of Butterfly spreads, will visually show how to place a Call Butterfly spread using the TradeStation platform. The actual trade is NOT meant to be a trade suggestion. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=3757 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=3757 Thu, 14 Jan 2010 22:05:00 GMT This article is the first in a series of several articles that will address in greater detail the option strategies known as Butterflies. In this one, I am trying to introduce the basic concept of a Butterfly without providing any specific examples. Specific examples will follow in the subsequent newsletters. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=3723 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=3723 Wed, 13 Jan 2010 12:13:00 GMT Options Insider readers can view a live webinar today with Options Insider Founder Mark Longo. The subject of the webinar is using options to add income and downside protection to an equity portfolio. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=3715 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=3715 Tue, 5 Jan 2010 00:16:00 GMT Let us turn our attention towards Horizontals, which are also known as Time or Calendar spread trades. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=3670 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=3670 Mon, 4 Jan 2010 11:22:00 GMT I like to keep my trading activities as simple and objective as possible, as this helps me to cut out the noise of over-analysis and emotion and helps greatly in the final decision making process. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6141 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=6141 Wed, 30 Dec 2009 22:59:00 GMT I get plenty of questions emailed to me and I endeavor to answer as many as I can, even sometimes publicly through another one of these articles. However, on numerous occasions I have been asked to give my longer term outlook on the market and I thought that as we are coming to the end of the year, now would be a good time to do so. As this is a Forex article, I thought I would take a look at the good old US Dollar, a central and intrinsic piece of the economic puzzle. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=3657 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=3657 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 00:50:00 GMT During one of my option classes, some of my students were really having a hard time grasping the concept of the Greeks, namely the Delta and Gamma, as well as their relationship to each other. In this article, I will focus on explaining those concepts to the readers in a similar way that I did for my option students. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=3646 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=3646 Mon, 7 Dec 2009 22:36:00 GMT The goal of this article is to explain the last of the four possible vertical spreads which will bring this series of five articles to a conclusion. Once again, this vertical debit put strategy is not meant to be a trade recommendation for it is just a theoretical explanation... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=3550 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=3550 Wed, 2 Dec 2009 13:55:00 GMT We and ve mentioned before that our preference is to close out short option positions before the dynamics of expiration week have a chance to kick in. In a nutshell, while it and s true that theta declines more quickly as expiration looms, tempting option shorts to hold on as long as possible, it is also true that gamma rises more quickly closer to expiration... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=3534 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=3534 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 22:56:00 GMT In the last two articles I explained two vertical call spreads; namely, Bear Call and Bull Call. As the reader will notice, these two are not grouped by direction, for one is bearish in nature while the other is bullish in its outlook. Most option books out there separate the verticals according to direction: Bullish or Bearish. However, that is a mere matter of preference. As long as the option trader understands that a bearish or a bullish vertical position can be built by either calls or puts, that is all that matters. The fine difference that I use in my option trading, which determines whether to use calls or puts, is determined by (I.V) implied volatility. Let me elaborate on this a bit more... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=3519 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=3519 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:12:00 GMT The goal of this article is to walk the readers step-by-step through my thinking process when placing a vertical debit call spread trade. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=3482 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=3482 Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:52:00 GMT Common Futures Market Misconceptions Explained and Clarified... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=3446 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=3446 Thu, 5 Nov 2009 00:33:00 GMT In my previous article, I introduced the concept of verticals and defined their four main components. Here I am going to deal with a specific vertical spread that also happens to be one of my favorite strategies. It is known under many different names: Short credit call, Bear Call, or vertical call sale. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=3411 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=3411 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:34:00 GMT This article is the first one in a series of five articles on the topic of vertical spreads. It will introduce the concept of the vertical spread and define its four main components. The subsequent articles are going to deal with individual vertical spread strategies, one vertical spread per article. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=3358 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=3358 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:31:00 GMT 7 Reasons That Retail Traders Should Consider Using Futures http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=3339 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=3339 Tue, 20 Oct 2009 22:59:00 GMT As the title of the piece suggests, discipline indeed transcends trading. It and s what we eat (quantity and type of food), how we comport ourselves, and how we go about pursuing our goals. It and s making a commitment to achieving what we set out to accomplish, without compromises or excuses. Why would we believe that if we lack discipline in our day-to-day lives, that we would suddenly become disciplined in our futures trading? That and s just deluded thinking... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=3300 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=3300 Fri, 16 Oct 2009 23:13:00 GMT There is a lot of information on trading and I mean a lot. As traders we can use various tools such as charts, news, Fundamentals and Technical Indicators to name just a few. But what are the best ones to use? In a world full of opinion and hypothesis, it can often be difficult to decide on what route to take when speculating in the Forex markets. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=3278 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=3278 Thu, 8 Oct 2009 21:47:00 GMT Next, let us look at the option chain and instead of focusing on the selection of the strike prices, let us see if there is any premium worthwhile selling... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=3220 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=3220 Mon, 28 Sep 2009 23:43:00 GMT Every once in awhile, students ask me if it is wise to sell verticals on any given product at any time. The answer is much more complex than a simple yes or no reply. In this article, I will explain my thinking when it comes to selling verticals, either Bull Puts or Bear Calls. For a change, I will not focus in this newsletter on the technicals or fundamentals but instead, I will place my entire center of attention on I.V. (implied volatility) of the underlying and three additional option components. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=3147 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=3147 Wed, 16 Sep 2009 23:14:00 GMT How to incorporate naked chart reading techniques into your options trading... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=3071 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=3071 Wed, 2 Sep 2009 23:07:00 GMT In many of my classes, as I go through various option strategies, a question frequently pops up about the married put. The majority of our students are unfamiliar with the intricacies of the married put. Here I am going to explain, in a simple and easily understandable way, what a married put is... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2985 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2985 Tue, 1 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT While scanning the Forex news recently, I noticed quite a few disturbing headlines regarding the proliferation of ponzi schemes in the Forex market... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2975 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2975 Wed, 26 Aug 2009 23:59:00 GMT In this episode, Mark is joined by Tom Busby, CEO, DTI Trader. Mark and Tom discuss the current outlook for the VIX in 2009. They also explore ways to use futures contracts to inform your options trading. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2942 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2942 Mon, 24 Aug 2009 23:55:00 GMT Exploring put-call parity on American exercise options... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2926 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2926 Fri, 21 Aug 2009 23:56:00 GMT Comparing synthetic calls and puts... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2919 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2919 Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:55:00 GMT Exploring married puts vs. Long Calls, the impact of dividends on put/call parity and synthetics... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2905 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2905 Tue, 18 Aug 2009 23:15:00 GMT In order to understand more-complex spread strategies involving two or more options, it is essential to understand the arbitrage relationship of the put-call pair. Puts and calls of the same month and strike on the same underlying have prices that are defined in a mathematical relationship. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2897 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2897 Wed, 12 Aug 2009 00:26:00 GMT This week and s article will review some of the new regulations affecting retail Forex traders with accounts in the US that took effect in August, 2009. Includes how to use stops and limits after July 31st along with a discussion of FIFO and counter party risk. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2860 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2860 Wed, 29 Jul 2009 22:15:00 GMT Recently, I had lunch with a fellow Forex trader that I met several years ago. During our conversation, I asked him how his trading was going. His answer was "I am still working at getting consistent." I asked him if he had a written plan that included specific trading rules and strategies to accomplish this goal, and he said no. I strongly encouraged him to do this vital task before he took his next trade. I use a mechanical approach to my trading which includes specific rules for trading both a trending market, and a range bound market. My friend continues to look for the Holy Grail, one size fits all type of system that does not exist... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2770 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2770 Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:14:00 GMT Successful short term Forex trading is the goal of many new traders who enter the Forex markets each year. For them, life begins and ends on the one or five minute chart. It is important to understand that the trend on a small time frame chart may only be a retracement of the primary trend from a higher time frame chart. As a result, understanding the higher time frame trend is an important step in becoming a successful, short term Forex trader. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2728 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2728 Tue, 21 Jul 2009 00:30:00 GMT Horizontal Spreads, also known as either Calendar Spreads or Time spreads, are currently one of my favorite strategies to trade. It is my humble belief that during this summer, the U.S. stock market isn and t going to do much of anything. The market might go a bit down and up but overall, at the end of the summer, it will seem as if it did not go anywhere significantly... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2720 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2720 Tue, 14 Jul 2009 22:46:00 GMT Both of these are different ways for a trader to enter the markets they are trading that are trending higher. These entries can be used in any market, but certain types of entries will work better in the Forex markets due to the 24-hour trading session. Each type of entry has a set of rules including a method for entry, a first profit target, and a stop loss. Let and s examine both of these strategies and explain how and when to use them effectively when trading Forex from the long side... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2692 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2692 Mon, 13 Jul 2009 01:36:00 GMT FX Options can be tailored to meet your own FX market forecast while balancing between your investment goals and tolerance for risk. Some of the key beneits to trading FX Options include their limited risk, the ability to implement longer term strategies (relative to the short-term nature of the FX Spot market), as well as the multiple combinations of expiration months and strike prices... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2689 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2689 Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:38:00 GMT In order to meet your financial goals in today and s environment, it and s imperative to consider all of the different asset classes, including cash, equities, bonds, options, natural resources, precious [[[meta]]]ls, real estate and foreign currencies. If you are actively managing your own finances, exchange-traded currency options are one of the most versatile trading instruments with strategies for forecasting and hedging to minimize your exposure to risk. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2679 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2679 Mon, 6 Jul 2009 00:54:00 GMT In my last article, I had utilized the Quarterly options for my Iron Condor trade and in this one, I will still stay on the topic of the Quarterlies. It is my humble conviction that the Quarterly options are under-utilized by option traders. The reason for my belief could be verified by looking at any of the open interest (O.I.) and volumes on the individual strike prices of either the calls or puts... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2648 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2648 Wed, 1 Jul 2009 23:30:00 GMT When I write my articles, I give my opinion about what I believe is happening to the currencies of the world based on the news I hear, the experts I follow, and my personal experiences of the economic cycles I have seen in the past. This fundamental information helps me understand what reports and indicators the economists of the world believe will shape future events. The charts provide me with the clues as to where the buyers and sellers are waiting to act in the future based on their actions in the past. The US Dollar Index (USDX) is the main currency chart I watch for clues as to the sentiment of the currency traders of the world, and for the places where battles have taken place in the past that may once again shape the future... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2629 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2629 Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:52:00 GMT The only way to keep yourself out of trouble in the Forex market, and also profit from various market periods, is to know what trend the market is in and, most importantly, know what the next trend is going to be... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2536 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2536 Tue, 16 Jun 2009 23:16:00 GMT As we move through 2009, what can investors expect? How much uncertainty? When will the markets finally "shift" direction? Only time will tell. No market guru can predict with 100% certainty how the markets are going to perform over the next year. FX Options are available each trading day for retail investors, institutions and market makers. As an investor, it and rsquo;s important to carefully monitor the risk and reward relationship on a daily basis to ind the appropriate trades for your portfolios. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2526 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2526 Mon, 15 Jun 2009 01:18:00 GMT The financial markets are constantly looking ahead for information to price themselves. With the recent dramatic upheavals in the fnancial markets, hope has been replaced by despair. The markets generally experience four price stages in their own "life cycle": consolidation, breakout, equilibrium, and the reversal of the previous breakout. The challenge for investors is not only qualifying which stage the market is in, but also the various sub-stages it encounters... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2516 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2516 Fri, 12 Jun 2009 23:44:00 GMT In this article I argue that naked put selling, when the volatility is at extreme levels, would provide the seller with a "juicy" premium. At the same time the exposure would be technically unlimited (though the price could only go down to zero) while the reward would be limited to the premium received. Nonetheless, the safer way of trading would be by using spread trading or the simultaneous selling and buying of option premium. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2506 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2506 Fri, 8 May 2009 23:42:00 GMT New rules are about to go into effect in the Forex market. How will these changes affect you? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2280 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2280 Wed, 6 May 2009 22:53:00 GMT Continuing our analysis of a reader and s Bull Put trade. What went right and what went wrong? Read on to find out... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2259 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2259 Tue, 5 May 2009 01:16:00 GMT Examining what went wright, and what went wrong, in a reader and s bull put trade. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2251 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2251 Wed, 29 Apr 2009 22:39:00 GMT This article is named Plan the Exit(s) Beforehand for the simple reason that there should always be more than one possible exit strategy for every single option trade that we make. Since the stock market on any given day could move in three possible directions (up, down, or sideways), we must have multiple exit strategies for our option trades... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2219 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2219 Tue, 28 Apr 2009 22:39:00 GMT We haven and t discussed carry trades in quite a while, but this strategy may be coming back into vogue. Many assume that carry trades must include a short position in the Japanese Yen, but this is not the case; any currency that possesses low interest rates becomes a viable shorting candidate for this trading strategy... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2207 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2207 Thu, 23 Apr 2009 23:23:00 GMT Options vertical spread strategies can help to mitigate any volatility risk. In this current high implied volatility environment, vertical spread strategies are great for entering new FX options positions... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2189 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2189 Wed, 22 Apr 2009 00:03:00 GMT FX Options, just like other exchange-traded options, gives investors financial control of an asset, but with limited risk. Investors can purchase calls (the right to buy the US dollar exchange rate), or puts (the right to sell the US dollar exchange rate) based on their views of the markets, creating a limited risk profile. Sellers can earn premiums, but with substantial (theoretically even unlimited) risk. If investors expected large potential moves in the FX marketplace, buying calls or puts might make sense. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2182 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2182 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 01:17:00 GMT With the ever-quickening pace of globalization, the popularity of exchange-listed foreign exchange options has only increased as investors seek more transparency and flexibility in their trading. FX Options provide investors with more choices. How can you decide which FX options strategy is appropriate for you? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2174 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2174 Mon, 20 Apr 2009 22:59:00 GMT The goal of this article is to point out that it is of utmost importance to be familiar with the product on which we are trading options. At any given time we should be aware of many factors which come into play when trading options, such as earning releases, dividends, implied volatility, and also technical analysis which determines the proper timing for both entries and exits. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2165 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2165 Fri, 17 Apr 2009 23:05:00 GMT Exploring Forex commissions, the different types of Forex accounts and the actual dollar value of a "pip." http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2158 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2158 Thu, 9 Apr 2009 01:43:00 GMT In this episode, Mark sits down with Craig Weil, Director of Trading at Online Trading Academy Chicago and the host of Traders Talk Live. Mark and Craig discuss the difficulties many traders encounter when switching to a new product class. They also discuss Craig and s 35 years of pit trading experience and the perils of trading everything from equity options to cattle futures. Finally, they explain how to avoid the numerous hucksters and con artists lurking in the world of financial education. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2122 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2122 Tue, 31 Mar 2009 21:37:00 GMT After my article, Bear Call Gone Bad, I have received several emails requesting the trade fix. The aim of this article is to examine at least one of these possibilities. Again, I am not recommending anything but only explaining the mathematical side of this "fix," and it involves a two step procedure. .. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2065 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2065 Mon, 30 Mar 2009 23:14:00 GMT After my article, Bear Call Gone Bad, I have received several emails requesting the trade fix. The aim of this article is to examine at least one of these possibilities. Again, I am not recommending anything but only explaining the mathematical side of this "fix," and it involves a two step procedure. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2056 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2056 Wed, 25 Mar 2009 00:34:00 GMT Quantitative easing may sound complicated, but it and s really very simple. Also, why does the British Pound continue to slide? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2033 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2033 Tue, 24 Mar 2009 00:32:00 GMT In this article, I will go over three possible outcomes for a Bear Call spread at expiry. Those scenarios involve the price of the underlying closing within the spread, above the sold call, and below the sold call.... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2025 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2025 Fri, 20 Mar 2009 23:02:00 GMT What is the recommended stop-loss size for trading long-term currency pairs? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2011 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=2011 Tue, 17 Mar 2009 00:35:00 GMT Continuing our examination of Iron Condor strategies in Potash Corp. (POT)... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1990 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1990 Mon, 16 Mar 2009 00:42:00 GMT Analyzing an Iron Condor trade in Potash Corp. (POT)... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1982 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1982 Mon, 2 Mar 2009 00:20:00 GMT Exploring the correlation between the GBP/JPY and EUR/JPY currency pairs and the S and P 500. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1912 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1912 Mon, 23 Feb 2009 02:20:00 GMT Is Forex Trading A Zero-Sum Game? Also, more on Forex micro accounts. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1881 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1881 Fri, 13 Feb 2009 21:53:00 GMT How to trade in Forex micro accounts. Micro accounts just became popular last year, and many traders aren and rsquo;t even aware that they exist. This is a big deal because it means you can sustain larger draw downs without risking large sums of money; in other words, your style of trading does not have be dictated by the size of your account. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1845 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1845 Thu, 12 Feb 2009 22:10:00 GMT In Tough Times, Many Options Traders Go Back To Basics... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1838 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1838 Wed, 11 Feb 2009 20:41:00 GMT In Tough Times, Many Options Traders Go Back To Basics... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1834 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1834 Thu, 29 Jan 2009 22:28:00 GMT Exploring how to combine options strategies... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1779 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1779 Wed, 28 Jan 2009 22:29:00 GMT Exploring how to combine options strategies... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1773 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1773 Thu, 22 Jan 2009 20:31:00 GMT In my previous article, I.C. Explained, I described a textbook example of an Iron Condor. In this article, I will pick up where I left off, and focus on defining the main difference between the I.C. (Iron Condor) and Condor Spreads... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1744 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1744 Wed, 21 Jan 2009 22:22:00 GMT In this week and s article, I will go over one of my Iron Condors that I did awhile ago. (Honestly, in my humble opinion, the last part of 2008 was not the correct environment for the Iron Condor strategy. The I.C. is a strategy that works well in sideways markets. In the last half of 2008, we had a "trending" market, and every owner of a 401K or an IRA account knows which direction the equity market was trending: a way South – deep South.) Let us define an I.C. as a complex spread trade used in the directionless market environment. More specifically, an I.C. is an option strategy composed of two vertical credit spreads, namely a Bear Call and a Bull Put. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1737 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1737 Wed, 14 Jan 2009 02:46:00 GMT In this article we will examine a specific case of a debit and a credit spread in order to point out that there is virtually very little difference between the two. Instead of attempting to explain the concept by using a fictitious example, the stock XYZ with the one strike price being at this level and the other one at that level, etc, we shall utilize a couple of my recent trades for the same purpose... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1712 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1712 Tue, 13 Jan 2009 02:29:00 GMT In this article we will examine a specific case of a debit and a credit spread in order to point out that there is virtually very little difference between the two. Instead of attempting to explain the concept by using a fictitious example, the stock XYZ with the one strike price being at this level and the other one at that level, etc, we shall utilize a couple of my recent trades for the same purpose... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1706 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1706 Tue, 6 Jan 2009 00:56:00 GMT A brief overview of the Forex market along with an overview of the advantages of Forex trading... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1674 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1674 Sun, 4 Jan 2009 22:55:00 GMT For an options trader, one of the most remarkable aspects of the 2008 financial crisis was that it featured months in which many options closed in or near the money when, even weeks before, they were deep out-of-the-money (DOTM) and "worthless." The lesson is that ostensibly overpriced options are totally devoid of value, until they aren and t... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=3667 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=3667 Wed, 31 Dec 2008 00:06:00 GMT Writing credit call spreads can be the key to victory in the battle for market domination... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1663 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1663 Tue, 30 Dec 2008 01:10:00 GMT Writing credit call spreads can be the key to victory in the battle for market domination... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1658 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1658 Wed, 24 Dec 2008 02:27:00 GMT In light of the insane volatility in the markets recently, I thought this week it might be helpful to cover a potential strategy on very volatile stocks: Upside-Down Split-Strikes http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1652 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1652 Tue, 23 Dec 2008 02:22:00 GMT In this article, we and ll examine the similarities and differences between the spot forex and forex futures markets... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1646 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1646 Mon, 22 Dec 2008 02:22:00 GMT In this article, we and ll examine the similarities and differences between the spot forex and forex futures markets... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1640 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1640 Mon, 1 Dec 2008 00:17:00 GMT Fib strategies have become very popular in forex trading. But today there are so many permutations and variations on this basic theme that sometimes the useful aspects of this technique get lost in the shuffle. This question opened the door for what we might call the "Great Fibonacci Debate". Read on... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1554 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1554 Mon, 24 Nov 2008 13:37:00 GMT A typical calendar spread is the sale of a shorter-term option and the purchase of a longer-term one. These spreads often offer the average investor the chance to sell overpriced short-term premium with relatively little risk. We and ll kick things off by looking at a simple long at-the-money calendar spread... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1530 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1530 Mon, 24 Nov 2008 13:34:00 GMT A typical calendar spread is the sale of a shorter-term option and the purchase of a longer-term one. These spreads often offer the average investor the chance to sell overpriced short-term premium with relatively little risk. We and ll kick things off by looking at a simple long at-the-money calendar spread... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1533 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1533 Fri, 14 Nov 2008 01:28:00 GMT This week I want to talk about the early exercise of options. In order for it to make sense to early exercise an option, there must be some positive cash flow that results from the exercise. We and ll look at calls and puts separately to determine when the early exercise is the right way to go. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1494 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1494 Wed, 12 Nov 2008 00:27:00 GMT Since we are in the midst of a credit crisis, our chosen indicator for gauging fear in the current environment is the Ted Spread. Another famous "fear gauge", the CBOE and s Volatility Index (VIX), is currently reflecting a slightly more relaxed environment. In this article, we chart the surprising similarities between the VIX and the Ted Spread. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1483 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1483 Thu, 30 Oct 2008 00:18:00 GMT Because Forex is relatively new to the retail trading public, scammers who make unrealistic promises are becoming a constant nuisance. Here and s a good rule of thumb, and it doesn and t matter if you and re trading stocks, futures, options, or Forex – If anyone promises outlandish returns, don and t believe it; it and s probably a scam. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1426 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1426 Wed, 29 Oct 2008 00:47:00 GMT Examining spread margin and the impact of portfolio margin on your trading account... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1423 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1423 Tue, 28 Oct 2008 22:52:00 GMT Breaking down the margin calculations for short option positions allows you to determine how many options you can sell. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1416 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1416 Mon, 27 Oct 2008 22:57:00 GMT With the "diagonal backspread," you buy longer-term options and sell a lesser number of nearer-term options that are more in-the-money. Diagonal backspread opportunities often exist in volatile, relatively high premium markets, such as we have been experiencing. With the call diagonal backspread, you can take advantage of the fact that in nervous markets, the nearer-term lower-strike options become steeply overpriced, while the longer-term higher-strike options tend to remain fairly priced. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1409 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1409 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 00:27:00 GMT Exploring the difference between equity and index multipliers, settlement values, exercise and more... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1403 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1403 Mon, 20 Oct 2008 23:32:00 GMT Okay, so things are rough out there. But just because the world is facing financial Armageddon, and long-term investments are falling apart faster than the New York Mets in September, that doesn and t mean your trading account has to suffer. In fact, some traders thrive in this rock and em, sock and em environment. Just take a look at the volatility in the Great Britain Pound – U.S. Dollar currency pair (symbol GBP/USD)... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1377 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1377 Tue, 14 Oct 2008 00:05:00 GMT What Is The TED Spread and Why Is It At The Highest Level Since 1987? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1352 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1352 Mon, 13 Oct 2008 01:00:00 GMT Currency volatility is at its highest point since the year 2000, as the markets swing wildly while absorbing bad news of historic proportions. The head spinning moves we and ve seen recently have driven the Average True Range, also known as ATR, of the major currency pairs to levels that are rarely reached. In this article, we will explore the basic mechanics of ATR and explain why it is so important to forex traders. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1346 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1346 Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:11:00 GMT Traders Talk Live Radio (which airs on AM 560 WIND in Chicago) recently featured www.TheOptionsInsider.com founder Mark S. Longo as a special guest. Mark discussed the impact of the short selling ban on the options market as well as a few protective options strategies for these troubled times. Options Insider Radio listeners can find the complete broadcast here... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1340 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1340 Thu, 2 Oct 2008 00:28:00 GMT Exploring the impact of the short selling ban on put/call parity, bid/ask spreads and options pricing models. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1305 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1305 Thu, 11 Sep 2008 23:21:00 GMT We explore the truth behind the common phrase "triple witching hour." We also explore why options expire on the third Friday of the month and what happens when Holidays disturb the expiration calendar. Finally, we examine ways to predict when your short option positions will be assigned. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1203 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1203 Mon, 25 Aug 2008 01:32:00 GMT A number of readers and students have asked me to explain in detail how some of the volatility calculations are made. This week, I and ll go through the steps of calculating historical volatility.. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1128 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1128 Wed, 20 Aug 2008 23:41:00 GMT Examining "The Greeks" and P and L Graphs of the Incredible Ratio Spread... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1112 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1112 Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:16:00 GMT Last week I discussed one of my favorite types of trades, the Backspread. This week, I and m going to talk about the other side of that trade, the Ratio Vertical Spread... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1104 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1104 Tue, 29 Jul 2008 00:16:00 GMT How to trade diagonal spreads with puts and how to use diagonal spreads as alternatives to covered calls... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1006 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1006 Mon, 28 Jul 2008 00:18:00 GMT You create a diagonal spread when you buy and write options (calls or puts, but not both in the same spread) on the same stock with different strike prices and different expirations. As we will show in the examples in this article, diagonal spreads can be used as capital efficient covered call alternatives... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=997 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=997 Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:09:00 GMT We explore examples of how to construct vertical option spreads... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=950 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=950 Tue, 15 Jul 2008 00:18:00 GMT A Vertical Spread is an options strategy in which options are bought and an equal number of options of the same type (Puts or Calls) are sold with different strike prices, but with the same expiration date. Vertical Spreads are directional strategies and are either bullish or bearish. Click on this article for more information on how to trade the extremely versatile vertical spread... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=942 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=942 Wed, 9 Jul 2008 23:10:00 GMT In an earlier article, we showed you how you can hedge your stock with "collars," (combinations of covered calls and protective puts). This week, we show how you can hedge your equity portfolio with a bear option spread. This particular hedge is attractive in times such as these when the demand for nominally cheap insurance is driving up the price of the lower strike puts. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=925 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=925 Tue, 8 Jul 2008 00:15:00 GMT Are options too speculative for your portfolio? Do the majority of options traders lose money? Are options a zero sum game? Are you better off selling options rather than buying them? The answers to these and other questions can be found inside... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=916 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=916 Mon, 7 Jul 2008 00:17:00 GMT I am constantly amazed by some of the "facts" I hear about options that are told to me as if they were written in stone. When I try to probe a little deeper to find the source, I usually receive a nebulous answer like "I know it and s true, but I don and t where I heard it." Well, today I and m going to clear up some of those issues... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=912 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=912 Thu, 5 Jun 2008 21:00:00 GMT Examining the impact of theta and vega on strangles... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=841 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=841 Tue, 3 Jun 2008 09:16:00 GMT Let and s examine the characteristics of this killer trade in terms of the greeks... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=833 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=833 Mon, 2 Jun 2008 09:18:00 GMT Today we are going to learn about the straddle and s first cousin, the strangle... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=831 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=831 Thu, 29 May 2008 23:28:00 GMT More answers to common options questions including: What Are The Advantages/Disadvantages Of Vertical Spreads and What Is The Risk Of Selling An Out-Of-The-Money Covered Call? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=824 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=824 Wed, 28 May 2008 09:35:00 GMT More answers to common options questions including: What are the similarities/differences between futures and options contracts and How do LEAPS differ from conventional options? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=820 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=820 Tue, 27 May 2008 09:47:00 GMT More answers to common options questions including: How do I find an options broker, What is an options exchange And How do I get started trading options? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=817 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=817 Thu, 22 May 2008 09:20:00 GMT More answers to common options questions including: Can I trade options in my IRA? How do ESOPS differ from standard options? What is the difference between American-style and European-style options? And more... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=811 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=811 Tue, 20 May 2008 09:35:00 GMT More answers to common options questions including: "What Is Liquidity and "What Do "Buy to Open" And "Sell To Close" Mean? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=805 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=805 Mon, 12 May 2008 11:53:00 GMT Can Options Be Traded On Any Listed Stock? Is Increased Open Interest Bullish? How Is Open Interest Calculated? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=782 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=782 Fri, 9 May 2008 12:25:00 GMT Taking another look at Theta, Vega and Rho http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=779 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=779 Thu, 8 May 2008 12:30:00 GMT Gamma: How Quickly the Odds Change... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=777 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=777 Wed, 7 May 2008 12:42:00 GMT Delta, Gamma, Theta, Vega and Rho - you are likely to hear these "Greek" risk measures whenever traders talk about options. Although these terms sound complicated, they actually are easy to understand once you grasp a few basic concepts. Mastering them will give you a good understanding of why options behave the way they do under different circumstances. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=771 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=771 Thu, 1 May 2008 12:52:00 GMT "Fine," you might say "that and s the theory, but is it the way options really trade?" The answer is "yes." The reason is that when call or put time premiums get out of line with each other, option market makers can make a risk-free arbitrage profit. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=764 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=764 Wed, 30 Apr 2008 13:58:00 GMT This week, we review what are known as the put/call parity rules. If you know one rule - and you remember your high school algebra - you can quickly master all the rules. Mastery of these rules gives you a lot more flexibility when planning your options strategies. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=760 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=760 Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:15:00 GMT When you create bull put spread that is based on one of our "naked" put writing recommendations, you need to select a put that is reasonably close-to-the-money. You then need to find a put of the same expiration with a strike price that is both lower and further from the stock price than the recommended short put.. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=745 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=745 Tue, 22 Apr 2008 09:30:00 GMT Writing "naked" options can be highly profitable, but it also can be very risky, since losses can easily exceed the margin that you originally posted. In this report, we show you how, in many cases, you can substitute a credit spread for an uncovered (or "naked") write. Because credit spreads have limited losses, their margins are often a lot lower than the margins on naked writes. At the same time, these spreads can still offer very substantial returns on capital. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=740 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=740 Thu, 17 Apr 2008 09:45:00 GMT This report is part of an ongoing series on option spreads. Spreads are combinations of different option positions on the same stock. Spreads are really not that complicated once you understand a few basic principals. The spreads that we will cover in this series will all have limited risk. Some of them can offer investors very efficient use of their capital. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=730 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=730 Tue, 15 Apr 2008 09:56:00 GMT This report is part of an ongoing series on option spreads. Spreads are combinations of different option positions on the same stock. Spreads are really not that complicated once you understand a few basic principals. The spreads that we will cover in this series will all have limited risk. Some of them can offer investors very efficient use of their capital. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=724 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=724 Mon, 14 Apr 2008 10:09:00 GMT This report is part of an ongoing series on option spreads. Spreads are combinations of different option positions on the same stock. Spreads are really not that complicated once you understand a few basic principals. The spreads that we will cover in this series will all have limited risk. Some of them can offer investors very efficient use of their capital. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=721 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=721 Tue, 8 Apr 2008 10:48:00 GMT Because the net time premiums of calls and puts with the same stock, strike and expiration can be very close, it often happens that if we are recommending a particular call for covered writing, we are also recommending the corresponding put for "naked" put writing as well... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=709 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=709 Mon, 7 Apr 2008 10:56:00 GMT When you write a put on a particular stock with a certain strike and expiration, you have a position that has very similar gain and loss potential as a covered call on that same stock with the same strike and expiration. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=703 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=703 Mon, 17 Mar 2008 12:06:00 GMT Buying at-the-money and out-of-the-money puts... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=659 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=659 Thu, 13 Mar 2008 12:08:00 GMT No matter how bullish the stock market may look at a particular time, you should always diversify your portfolio with a few uncovered (or "naked") put purchases. This week, we offer advice on how to pick the puts that are right for you. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=654 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=654 Thu, 14 Feb 2008 14:04:00 GMT Examples of index option closing transactions and settlement. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=594 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=594 Mon, 11 Feb 2008 14:07:00 GMT Examining Index Option Exercise and Assignment Along With The Confusion Over AM/PM Settlement... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=584 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=584 Fri, 8 Feb 2008 14:08:00 GMT The nuts and bolts of index options. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=580 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=580 Thu, 7 Feb 2008 14:09:00 GMT An examination of index option pricing, volatility and risk along with a comparison of equity vs. index options. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=577 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=577 Wed, 6 Feb 2008 14:10:00 GMT Before you can start trading index options you have to master the underlying. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=573 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=573 Tue, 5 Feb 2008 14:12:00 GMT Like equity options, index options offer the investor an opportunity to either capitalize on an expected market move or to protect holdings in the underlying instruments. The difference is that the underlying instruments are indexes. These indexes can reflect the characteristics of either the broad equity market as a whole or specific industry sectors within the marketplace. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=569 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=569 Mon, 4 Feb 2008 21:26:00 GMT In this article, I will give an example of placing two different types of bearish strategies with two different expiration months on the same underlying. Once again I am advocating for being a Net Premium Seller... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1803 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1803 Sat, 2 Feb 2008 00:39:00 GMT I suppose everybody has heard the above, somewhat modified, quote in a wide variety of contexts. Well, it and s no different in options trading! People are trained to look at data in a wide variety of ways. Some feel comfortable looking at a column of numbers, others like charts, and still others like to look at different types of graphs. Our plan is to look at graphical representations of the 6 building blocks of options trading and then later on we and ll learn how to combine these graphs into some common and uncommon options positions. These graphs will allow us to glean a lot of information about our positions, just by looking. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1789 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=1789 Wed, 19 Dec 2007 09:48:00 GMT Covered call strategies using LEAPS. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=500 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=500 Tue, 18 Dec 2007 09:51:00 GMT Put strategies using LEAPS. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=498 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=498 Thu, 13 Dec 2007 09:52:00 GMT A look at LEAPS trading strategies... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=494 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=494 Wed, 12 Dec 2007 09:54:00 GMT Understanding LEAPS symbols and Time Erosion vs. Delta Effect. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=492 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=492 Mon, 10 Dec 2007 09:57:00 GMT Exploring the availability and pricing of LEAPS... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=489 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=489 Thu, 6 Dec 2007 11:36:00 GMT LEAPS are simply long-term options that expire at dates up to 2 years and 8 months in the future, as opposed to shorter-dated options that expire within one year. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=485 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=485 Wed, 5 Dec 2007 11:37:00 GMT When considering any options strategy, you may want to think about Long Term Equity Anticipation Securities (LEAPS) if you are prepared to carry the position for a longer term. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=484 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=484 Wed, 14 Nov 2007 11:50:00 GMT Since there are so many available options - and so many ways to trade them - you might not know where to begin. But getting started is easier than you think, once you determine your goals... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=462 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=462 Tue, 13 Nov 2007 11:52:00 GMT Since there are so many available options - and so many ways to trade them - you might not know where to begin. But getting started is easier than you think, once you determine your goals... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=459 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=459 Tue, 6 Nov 2007 11:54:00 GMT What is an option and what gives it value? In this article, we take a look at why options are insurance against financial uncertainty and why this insurance is often more reasonably priced than you might think. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=451 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=451 Mon, 5 Nov 2007 11:56:00 GMT What is an option and what gives it value? In this article, we take a look at why options are insurance against financial uncertainty and why this insurance is often more reasonably priced than you might think. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=448 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=448 Fri, 2 Nov 2007 11:57:00 GMT What is an option and what gives it value? In this article, we take a look at why options are insurance against financial uncertainty and why this insurance is often more reasonably priced than you might think. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=445 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=445 Thu, 1 Nov 2007 12:02:00 GMT Exploring the basics of time decay... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=444 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=444 Fri, 19 Oct 2007 12:09:00 GMT The world of options is dominated by four mathematical variables: Delta, Gamma, Theta and Vega. Collectively they are known as "The Greeks," although options traders often add their own colorful adjectives when their P and Ls begin to sink... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=425 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=425 Mon, 18 Jun 2007 12:18:00 GMT After going through the basic options information on this site, you should now have a solid understanding of what a stock option is, what LEAPS are and what factors contribute to an options value... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=267 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=267 Fri, 15 Jun 2007 12:21:00 GMT What is "pin risk" and what can you do about it? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=265 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=265 Thu, 14 Jun 2007 12:22:00 GMT It and s expiration week and once again our email is full of questions about pin risk. In this article, we and ll discuss what pin risk is and what can you do about it. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=263 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=263 Tue, 12 Jun 2007 12:23:00 GMT "The Greeks" are a collection of statistical values (expressed as percentages) that give the investor a better overall view of how a stock has been performing. These statistical values can be helpful in deciding what options strategies are best to use. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=259 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=259 Mon, 11 Jun 2007 12:24:00 GMT Overviews of options volatility and the groundbreaking Black-Scholes formula. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=256 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=256 Wed, 28 Feb 2007 11:27:00 GMT A basic primer on the world of options. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=136 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=136 Wed, 21 Feb 2007 11:27:00 GMT A basic primer on the world of options. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=133 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=133 Tue, 20 Feb 2007 11:28:00 GMT A basic primer on the world of options. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=132 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=132 Thu, 15 Feb 2007 11:28:00 GMT A basic primer on the world of options. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=129 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=129 Mon, 12 Feb 2007 23:59:00 GMT A basic primer to the world of options. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=128 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=128 Wed, 17 Jan 2007 02:20:00 GMT An Intro to Options for the Timid Investor http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=98 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Education/?id=98