http://www.theoptionsinsiders.com Industry Articles en-us Copyright 2008 The Options Insider Sat, 22 Nov 2008 04:59:00 GMT 20 Tue, 21 Oct 2008 12:31:00 GMT 2008 has certainly been an eventful year for the options market. There have been explosions in the VIX and implosions in many of the major indices and commodity products. With so much turmoil in the marketplace, 2008 is shaping up to be a record year for for the options market. The Options Clearing Corporation announced this morning that year-to-date options volume has finally surpassed the three billion contract mark. This is the first time that overall options volume has reached that milestone in a single trading year. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=1386 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=1386 Fri, 17 Oct 2008 20:11:00 GMT It and s time to update our scoreboard for the options market... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=1371 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=1371 Thu, 16 Oct 2008 08:20:00 GMT A brief rundown of the latest headlines from the options market. Topics covered include: the impact of the short selling ban, derivatives risk management crisis, VIX roller coaster ride, CME vs. OCC, OTC credit derivatives battle and more... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=1367 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=1367 Wed, 15 Oct 2008 15:12:00 GMT The Options News Network and s Options Cocktail program recently featured Options Insider founder Mark Longo as a special guest... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=1364 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=1364 Thu, 9 Oct 2008 00:31:00 GMT Newsletter subscribers should check their email in-boxes. The latest issue of the Options Insider newsletter ("Credit Derivatives Strike Back") is now available. If you and re not a subscriber, sign up today using the registration field on the homepage. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=1334 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=1334 Wed, 8 Oct 2008 00:44:00 GMT Options Cocktail w/Special Guest Mark Longo - Episode One http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=1330 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=1330 Tue, 30 Sep 2008 01:12:00 GMT One of the worst days in market history sparked a historic rally in the VIX. However, the recent ban on short selling prevented a corresponding surge in options volume... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=1291 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=1291 Wed, 24 Sep 2008 00:16:00 GMT A look back at the first attempts to break the OTC stranglehold on the credit derivatives market... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=1269 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=1269 Fri, 19 Sep 2008 01:12:00 GMT So far it and s been quite a week to say the least. And there and s still 1 more day to go! Implied volatility is through the roof and quadruple witching hour is upon us. At the same time, the SEC is making drastic changes to the short selling rules while the options market is setting new trading records. Hold on to your hats! It and s going to be a bumpy ride... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=1250 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=1250 Wed, 17 Sep 2008 23:44:00 GMT Overall options volume may have been down last month when compared to the same period last year. However, the battle for options dominance continued unabated in August. It and s time to break down the winners and losers... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=1237 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=1237 Tue, 16 Sep 2008 15:04:00 GMT And the winner is... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=1233 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=1233 Fri, 5 Sep 2008 14:43:00 GMT www.TheOptionsInsider.com Founder Mark Longo will be the featured guest on the next episode of Traders Talk Live Radio (WIND AM 560). The episode will air on Saturday 9/6 at 9am Central. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=1182 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=1182 Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT Apple Selects Options Insider Mobile, a new application from www.TheOptionsInsider.com, as a Featured Application for the Iphone... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=1135 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=1135 Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:48:00 GMT The episode you have been waiting for is finally here. In Episode 24, we dive into the controversial world of options dark pools with the CEO of Ballista... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=1117 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=1117 Mon, 11 Aug 2008 23:22:00 GMT The battle for options dominance continued unabated in July. It and s time to break down the winners and losers... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=1064 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=1064 Wed, 30 Jul 2008 14:38:00 GMT In this episode, Mark is joined by David Fisher, CEO of optionsXpress. Mark and David discuss the brutal competitive battlefield known as the retail options market. Can optionsXpress emerge victorious in the arms race for lower commissions, better executions and superior technology? Tune in to find out... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=1013 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=1013 Wed, 16 Jul 2008 11:40:00 GMT Fears over the potential collapse of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae...The surging VIX...Rising oil prices and concerns of a broader conflict in the Middle East...Soaring inflation...A run on banks that is reminiscent of the Great Depression...What do all of these factors have in common? They have combined to create the perfect options storm... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=952 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=952 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:21:00 GMT In this episode, Mark is joined by Al Brinkman, Director of Derivatives Marketing at the Philadelphia Stock Exchange (PHLX). Mark and Al discuss the rapidly growing market for currency options. They also discuss the NASDAQ/PHLX merger and the battle between maker-taker and traditional options models. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=938 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=938 Thu, 10 Jul 2008 11:02:00 GMT ONN.tv and s "Street Smarts" program recently profiled www.TheOptionsInsider.com founder Mark Longo http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=931 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=931 Tue, 8 Jul 2008 00:14:00 GMT Visitors to www.TheOptionsInsider.com can now review the latest forum posts from any page on the site... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=918 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=918 Thu, 3 Jul 2008 23:44:00 GMT This episode of Traders Talk Live Radio (AM 560 WIND Chicago) features special guest Mark Longo and is devoted to options basics for retail stock investors. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=911 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=911 Mon, 30 Jun 2008 01:43:00 GMT In this episode, Mark is joined by Bill Brodsky, President and CEO of the Chicago Board Options Exchange. Mark and Bill discuss the explosion of interest in the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX). They also discuss penny pricing, the rise of dark pools and the options industry and s growing dissatisfaction with the SEC. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=901 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=901 Fri, 27 Jun 2008 12:20:00 GMT A look back at the winners and losers from the past week... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=899 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=899 Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:59:00 GMT After a long expiration week, there and s nothing more refreshing than an "Options Cocktail." Topics on tap include: Financial Select SPDR (XLF) / Russel 2000 (IWM) Put Spread, Regional Bank Holders Index (RKH), SPDR Gold Shares (GLD), the Fed and s Catch-22 with interest rates and more... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=890 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=890 Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:36:00 GMT Topics on tap for this week and s program include: unusual options activity in the regional banking sector (Fifth-third Bancorp (FITB), Suntrust Banks (STI), Washington Mutual (WM), etc), CBOE and CME bury the hatchet and FCC gives the nod to the Sirius/XM satellite radio merger... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=884 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=884 Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:28:00 GMT There seems to be a newfound rancor towards "speculation" in the marketplace. This appears to be another case of misguided perception. By confusing "speculation" with "manipulation", the public is being led in the wrong direction. Those of us who earn our living in the markets know that speculators play a vital role in their proper function... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=879 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=879 Mon, 16 Jun 2008 01:24:00 GMT In this episode, Mark is joined by Alex Jacobson, Education Officer of the International Securities Exchange. Mark and Alex discuss the fascination with "premium harvesting" in the retail options market. They also discuss the growing interest in forex options and the explosion of demand for options education around the world... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=864 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=864 Mon, 16 Jun 2008 01:05:00 GMT And the winner is... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=867 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=867 Mon, 9 Jun 2008 00:29:00 GMT In this episode, Mark is joined by Adam Nunes, Head of the NASDAQ Options Market. Mark and Adam discuss the growing rivalry between the NASDAQ Options Market and BOX. They also discuss options dark pools and what it takes to compete in the cutthroat world of options. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=847 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=847 Fri, 30 May 2008 09:24:00 GMT In this episode, Mark is joined by Scott Morris, CEO of the Boston Options Exchange. Mark and Scott discuss the growing rivalry between BOX and the NASDAQ Options Market. They also discuss options dark pools and how BOX plans to compete in the increasingly crowded options business. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=827 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=827 Wed, 21 May 2008 09:57:00 GMT Traders Talk Live Radio (which airs on AM 560 WIND in Chicago) recently profiled www.TheOptionsInsider.com founder Mark S. Longo. Options Insider Radio listeners can find the broadcast here. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=808 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=808 Fri, 16 May 2008 10:47:00 GMT In this episode, Mark is joined by Phil Gocke, Managing Director of the Options Industry Council. Mark and Phil discuss the benefits of trading collars on the QQQQ. They also discuss the institutional options market and why so many hedge fund managers and financial planners are afraid of options. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=796 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=796 Fri, 16 May 2008 01:25:00 GMT www.TheOptionsInsider.com Founder Mark Longo will be the featured guest on the next episode of Traders Talk Live Radio (WIND AM 560). http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=800 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=800 Thu, 15 May 2008 10:48:00 GMT And the winner is... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=795 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=795 Tue, 29 Apr 2008 10:52:00 GMT The Options Insider Email Newsletter Is Now Available. Join the rest of your fellow users and sign up for The Options Insider newsletter today! http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=759 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=759 Fri, 25 Apr 2008 10:53:00 GMT And the winner is... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=750 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=750 Sun, 20 Apr 2008 01:30:00 GMT www.TheOptionsInsider.com and its founder Mark Longo are profiled on the front page of the Chicago Sun-Times Business Section. The full article, including photos, is available right now... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=735 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=735 Wed, 2 Apr 2008 10:58:00 GMT Are we doomed to suffer under dual regulation forever? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=694 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=694 Tue, 1 Apr 2008 11:01:00 GMT Exploring the roots of the conflict between the SEC and the CFTC... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=690 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=690 Fri, 28 Mar 2008 11:06:00 GMT The final winners are announced....and the contest is extended due to popular demand!!! http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=684 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=684 Thu, 27 Mar 2008 11:08:00 GMT The Options Insider Email Newsletter Is Now Available. Join the rest of your fellow users and sign up for The Options Insider newsletter today! http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=681 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=681 Fri, 21 Mar 2008 11:11:00 GMT And the winner is... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=672 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=672 Thu, 13 Mar 2008 11:16:00 GMT After months of speculation, the two exchanges are finally reaching across the pond... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=656 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=656 Thu, 6 Mar 2008 11:18:00 GMT It may be impossible for individual options traders to accurately replicate Buffett and s put sales. However, retail traders have a variety of advantages that a large institution like Berkshire Hathaway does not... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=641 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=641 Wed, 5 Mar 2008 11:20:00 GMT Reconstructing Buffett and s derivative positions... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=635 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=635 Mon, 3 Mar 2008 11:24:00 GMT The Oracle of Omaha once famously referred to derivatives as "financial weapons of mass destruction." However, if you read the latest annual report, you will discover that Berkshire Hathaway entered into a number of long-term derivatives trades in 2007. What prompted Buffet to ignore his own warning and play with fire in the derivatives market? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=626 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=626 Thu, 21 Feb 2008 16:52:00 GMT And the winner is... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=612 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=612 Thu, 24 Jan 2008 09:57:00 GMT Premier online options destination dramatically exceeds overall industry growth. Credit and recession fears contribute to ten-fold increase in online traffic and radio audience. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=546 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=546 Thu, 24 Jan 2008 16:49:00 GMT We have been inundated with requests for www.TheOptionsInsider.com merchandise from the first day that we went online. Quite a few people seem to be enamored with the trench coat-wearing figure that lurks on top of our website. In fact, it and s no exaggeration to say that our little logo has garnered a devoted fan base. So we decided to kick-off our One-Year Anniversary Celebration by giving away a wide variety of exclusive Options Insider items to our visitors... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=549 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=549 Wed, 2 Jan 2008 09:42:00 GMT While the numbers won and t be official until the OCC completes its 2007 processing, listed options set quite a few records last year... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=510 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=510 Tue, 11 Dec 2007 09:55:00 GMT Check your email in-box! The Options Insider December Newsletter is now available. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=491 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=491 Tue, 30 Oct 2007 12:03:00 GMT Everyone in the options market praises the value of competition. However, in secret meetings and behind closed doors, they are all racing to develop the next great monopoly product... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=441 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=441 Thu, 25 Oct 2007 12:05:00 GMT It wasn and t long ago that most Wall Street analysts considered the derivatives markets to be dangerous and arcane financial backwaters. Derivatives might be useful tools for executive compensation or for sophisticated hedge funds, but the real action was in the equity and fixed income markets. These days, with several options exchanges operating as public companies and the remainder considering IPOs, Wall Street analysts/researchers have become regular fixtures in the options industry. While many of these analysts are relative newcomers to this marketplace, they offer a refreshing, amusing and sometimes bizarre perspective on the world of options... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=436 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=436 Wed, 24 Oct 2007 12:06:00 GMT It wasn and t long ago that most Wall Street analysts considered the derivatives markets to be dangerous and arcane financial backwaters. Derivatives might be useful tools for executive compensation or for sophisticated hedge funds, but the real action was in the equity and fixed income markets. These days, with several options exchanges operating as public companies and the remainder considering IPOs, Wall Street analysts/researchers have become regular fixtures in the options industry. While many of these analysts are relative newcomers to this marketplace, they offer a refreshing, amusing and sometimes bizarre perspective on the world of options... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=434 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=434 Tue, 23 Oct 2007 12:07:00 GMT It wasn and t long ago that most Wall Street analysts considered the derivatives markets to be dangerous and arcane financial backwaters. Derivatives might be useful tools for executive compensation or for sophisticated hedge funds, but the real action was in the equity and fixed income markets. These days, with several options exchanges operating as public companies and the remainder considering IPOs, Wall Street analysts/researchers have become regular fixtures in the options industry. While many of these analysts are relative newcomers to this marketplace, they offer a refreshing, amusing and sometimes bizarre perspective on the world of options... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=431 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=431 Wed, 17 Oct 2007 12:13:00 GMT The growth of the retail options business has long been subsidized by taxes on liquidity providers. The revenues from these taxes are then passed onto the order flow providers in the form of payment for order flow. While this practice is highly controversial, it has also contributed to the massive reduction in retail options commissions over the past decade. However, the onset of the maker-taker pricing structure is beginning to threaten that tenuous arrangement. Can the retail brokers survive the squeeze...? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=420 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=420 Tue, 16 Oct 2007 12:14:00 GMT Rising transaction costs have opened up a dramatic new front in the growing war over penny pricing... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=418 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=418 Thu, 11 Oct 2007 12:21:00 GMT The 2nd annual Chicago Trading Forum was an interesting event that brought together a wide variety of options, futures and securities representatives. The forum touched on a host of issues including alternative trading systems, regulatory gridlock, portfolio margining and, of course, penny pricing. However, like any industry gathering, the forum was not without its share of controversy... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=413 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=413 Fri, 21 Sep 2007 10:34:00 GMT NASDAQ has been hinting at a possible entrance into the options market for so long that it and s hard to take them seriously anymore. But now they and ve finally announced a date.... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=385 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=385 Wed, 19 Sep 2007 11:06:00 GMT The conference hall is overflowing, so times must be good for the options market... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=384 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=384 Fri, 7 Sep 2007 11:15:00 GMT A look at the winners and losers in the options biz... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=368 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=368 Thu, 30 Aug 2007 11:17:00 GMT The Penny Pilot is moving to the next level. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=358 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=358 Fri, 11 May 2007 13:11:00 GMT There has been a great deal of hubbub over the impact of penny pricing on the options markets. Some believe that the massive influx of quote traffic will overwhelm the industry. Others believe that Penny Pilot critics are trying to scare the industry away from pennies just to protect their existing business models. However, there has been little data released by either side to back up their arguments. Until now... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=211 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=211 Wed, 9 May 2007 13:13:00 GMT There has been a great deal of hubbub over the impact of penny pricing on the options markets. Some believe that the massive influx of quote traffic will overwhelm the industry. Others believe that Penny Pilot critics are trying to scare the industry away from pennies just to protect their existing business models. However, there has been little data released by either side to back up their arguments. Until now... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=210 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=210 Fri, 20 Apr 2007 13:47:00 GMT The Age Old Battle Between Man and Machine Spills Over Into the Derivatives World http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=107 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=107 Mon, 16 Apr 2007 13:49:00 GMT The Age Old Battle Between Man and Machine Spills Over Into the Derivatives World http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=106 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=106 Thu, 12 Apr 2007 13:50:00 GMT The Age Old Battle Between Man and Machine Spills Over Into the Derivatives World http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=105 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=105 Thu, 15 Mar 2007 13:33:00 GMT With the VIX rapidly approaching celebrity status and a new index on the horizon, the CBOE is cashing in on volatility. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=145 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=145 Wed, 14 Mar 2007 13:35:00 GMT Conference season is upon us! An advance look at the kickoff event for the derivatives year. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=143 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=143 Thu, 8 Feb 2007 13:41:00 GMT For decades, they have been the cloak and dagger arm of Wall Street. These mysterious entities trade on behalf of secretive clients, concocting elaborate strategies that move markets and occasionally destroy them. Now they and ve set their eyes on the options markets... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=127 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=127 Fri, 26 Jan 2007 13:45:00 GMT Part Two Examines the Core of the Problem and A Few Possible Solutions http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=117 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=117 Fri, 26 Jan 2007 13:43:00 GMT The pilot has begun... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=118 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=118 Thu, 25 Jan 2007 12:10:00 GMT Part One Examines How the Problem Got Started http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=89 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=89 Mon, 15 Jan 2007 12:07:00 GMT Why are the two leading options exchanges risking their time and money to break into a stagnated market? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=93 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=93 Mon, 8 Jan 2007 12:09:00 GMT Price Improvement and Swapping Seats for Shares are Two Trends that are Here to Stay. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=91 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=91 Thu, 28 Dec 2006 12:11:00 GMT With the U.S. options markets growing more competitive every day, and Europe locked away behind numerous regulatory barriers, Asia is the latest target for expansion. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=86 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Industry/?id=86