http://www.theoptionsinsiders.com Trade and Technology Articles en-us Copyright 2012 The Options Insider Sat, 4 Feb 2012 03:21:00 GMT 20 Fri, 3 Feb 2012 12:58:00 GMT Traders, something HAS to give in this marketplace. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=9117 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=9117 Thu, 2 Feb 2012 10:08:00 GMT Getting to a number in stocks and indexes is important: AAPL at $500 (oh sorry, not yet there, but are there doubts?), the Dow when it first crossed 10,000 (the second and third time not as fun), and the VIX below $20. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=9105 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=9105 Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:47:00 GMT Volatility is often discussed as a single number. In the real world, the volatility of each strike price and in each month is different than the neighboring one. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=9086 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=9086 Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:57:00 GMT As a single cyclical indicator for the global economy, it would be hard to find one better than the sales, earnings and stock price of Caterpillar. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=9068 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=9068 Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:03:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=9069 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=9069 Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:55:00 GMT Volatility Review: What is going on with the VIX? How low can it go? Sebas sees VIX going to 16. Don gives a Euro VolContract update, noting the equity-like behavior (underlying increased, while vol dropped). Looking forward to the Nasdaq 100 VolContracts. Volatility Viewpoint: Mark, Mark, and Don discuss volatility and skew with John Bilson, Professor of Finance at the Illinois Institute of Technology and s Stuart School of Finance. Professor Bilson also proposes two new types of contracts for the marketplace. Crytsal Ball: Right now, there are good opportunities to buy individual equity options because volatility is so low. Mark Sebastian uses AAPL as an example. The impact of the leverage effect. Don thinks that the vol levels on the Euro VolContracts look just about right. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=9075 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=9075 Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:48:00 GMT Last week we mentioned the seasonal January tailwind that was expected to continue through the end of the month unless interrupted by another negative European event. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=9011 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=9011 Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:22:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=9012 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=9012 Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:28:00 GMT Volatility Review: Might we see VIX below 20 for some time to come? Euro vol up slightly since last week -- Bob Krause called it correctly. Two weeks to go in the Feb VolContract. Volatility Viewpoint: Don gets a chance to give his views on last week and s topics and talking points from Nikunj Kapadia, Associate Professor at the UMass Eisenberg School of Management. Mailbag: VolContracts on the NASDAQ!!! Crystal Ball: Vol could stay below 20 for a while, VIX futures are even on sale. Is volatility at 12 realistic for the Euro going forward? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=9017 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=9017 Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:53:00 GMT I have been saying for some time that I thought we were going to touch 1300. Now that we have, where are we going from here? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8980 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8980 Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:47:00 GMT While acknowledging perhaps there are better ways to illustrate last week and s increasing momentum in the equity markets than Newton and s pendulum it does seem to imply the change was rather sudden considering the lingering concerns about the sovereign debt issues in Europe. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8970 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8970 Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:52:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8971 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8971 Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:10:00 GMT Volatility Review: Another interesting week in general volatility. Although predicted to settle around the new mean of 23-25, VIX is down to 19. Where will it go next? CBOE has finally put out an adjustment to their settlement process. Euro VolContract review. Volatility Viewpoint: This week and s guest, Nikunj Kapadia from UMass, sits down with Mark and Bob to discuss Black Swans, volatility pricing, tail risk, and buy-writes. Crystal Ball: VIX may be headed towards 19 from heavy pressure on VIX Jan and Feb futures. Could we really see an explosion to the upside? Big news at VolX! http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8972 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8972 Wed, 11 Jan 2012 11:45:00 GMT As I was looking at the VIX trading relative to the SPX, I was struck by a few things http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8942 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8942 Tue, 10 Jan 2012 08:52:00 GMT I know it might sound funny, but it is possible that the first quarter of 2012 could be a really boring quarter. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8930 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8930 Mon, 9 Jan 2012 10:55:00 GMT Although volume continues to be very light it should pick up next week as the quarterly earnings reports start to be released and attention shifts from the weak euro to forecasting 2012 earnings. The http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8916 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8916 Mon, 9 Jan 2012 11:13:00 GMT I have to admit, while I have been expecting the VIX to return to normalcy, I have been shocked at the speed at which it moved down. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8917 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8917 Mon, 9 Jan 2012 11:51:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8918 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8918 Mon, 9 Jan 2012 13:22:00 GMT Volatility Review: After a holiday hiatus, Mark, Don, and Mark Sebastian discuss and review current and upcoming vol in 2012. The $64,000 question: Why is vol getting crushed? What and s happening in the Euro zone? Volatility Viewpoint: A grab bag of volatility topics in this viewpoint section, including: VIX futures--how they trade, the nature of their term structure, contango, etc., and actual realized vol in the market for the past year. Mailbag: Best method of volatility measurement? Crystal Ball: Vol, S and P, VIX, EuroVol Contracts, and Jan futures--where are they moving this year? A few new contracts may be in the pipeline over at VolX. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8920 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8920 Fri, 6 Jan 2012 13:26:00 GMT I feel like that title is worthy of a WWF Cage Match special. But really folks, there is something else going on. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8906 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8906 Wed, 4 Jan 2012 12:57:00 GMT As we begin 2012, the first task is trying to determine if there is a definable market trend. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8881 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8881 Fri, 23 Dec 2011 09:42:00 GMT To say that IV got oversold yesterday morning is a bit of an understatement. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8816 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8816 Fri, 23 Dec 2011 12:45:00 GMT A brief hiatus http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8819 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8819 Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:30:00 GMT In the midst of one of the lowest volume trading days of the year it took little effort to push S and P 500 futures down. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8788 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8788 Mon, 19 Dec 2011 09:36:00 GMT Volatility Review: This was an intriguing week for volatility action. Strange week in the world of VIX, with it finally returning to "normal." The novel concept of being fully insured. The seasonality of VIX--general uptrend in market plus professionals taking money off the table equals a perfect storm in VIX. Euro VolContract updates--December one-month went out at 11.12, three-month at 12.84. Volatility Viewpoint: Mark and Don discuss volatility with Stephen Figlewski, Professor of Finance at NYU and s Stern School of Business, founding editor of the Journal of Derivatives, and Director at the Nasdaq OMX Derivatives Research Project. Crystal Ball: VIX at a much more tolerable level, but Mark thinks it will vacillate in this "new mean" for quite a while. January Euro VolContract is fairly new, but volatility is forecasted to be lower going out. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8775 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8775 Mon, 19 Dec 2011 14:27:00 GMT We were encouraged by the three new takeover deals announced last week, but upon closer review, they did not seem to be very attractive from an options perspective. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8777 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8777 Wed, 14 Dec 2011 11:02:00 GMT While implied volatility in and of itself is not necessarily an indicator for underlying direction, it does give a good clue to what paper is thinking http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8740 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8740 Tue, 13 Dec 2011 11:07:00 GMT As many of you know, the VIX got crushed yesterday. While 0.71 may not be seem like a lot. When taken into context of the SPX (down 18), the VIX was off A LOT, probably another 2%. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8726 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8726 Mon, 12 Dec 2011 10:58:00 GMT A look back at the week in volatility http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8712 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8712 Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:05:00 GMT Last Friday, with the financial markets waiting in nervous anticipation, the European leaders delivered a carefully crafted message from Brussels that they had reached an historic agreement to draft a new treaty intended to create closer economic integration in an effort to confront the sovereign debt crisis. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8713 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8713 Mon, 12 Dec 2011 14:29:00 GMT Large one-day market moves invariably generate excitable media reaction. Such moves tend to occur in times of great uncertainty, however. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8715 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8715 Mon, 12 Dec 2011 09:36:00 GMT Volatility Review: VIX has been up and down around the 30-handle, but now it is time for it to begin to settle at a more normal level. Friday was quarterly expiration day in the Euro VoContract futures, with the front one-month and the December three-month going out. Volatility Viewpoint: Today and s guest, Chris Cole, Managing Director at Artemis Capital Management, sits down to discuss VIX options and futures, volatility doldrums, and the trading approach at Artemis. Crystal Ball: VIX is a coin flip with regard to both the long-term and short-term mean. The gang looks at the January one-month and March quarterly Euro VolContracts and their implied volatilities versus potential realized vol. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8718 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8718 Fri, 9 Dec 2011 09:42:00 GMT Seven days -- that is how many days it had been since the VIX broke 30. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8696 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8696 Wed, 7 Dec 2011 10:54:00 GMT If you didn and t get a chance see Jim Cramer of Mad Money, you can watch it on Mark Sebastian and s front page. I am going to expand on what he was talking about and briefly point at another couple of indicators I look at. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8671 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8671 Tue, 6 Dec 2011 12:51:00 GMT Volatility Review: Last week saw a lot of volatility action. VIX downside positions are just starting to pan out. Are people buying insurance or are they buying gamma? Seasonal drain to volatility. Euro VolContract update--one week left to go in the front-month contract. Volatility Viewpoints: Larry McMillan, recent winner of The OIC and s Sullivan Award, discusses how volatility derivatives have changed the landscape of vol trading. Larry waxes nostalgic on the days when there weren and t puts on every stock. The virtues of upside VIX calls versus SPX puts to hedge a portfolio. Discussing the fine art of gamma scalping. Crystal Ball: Wild prognosticating from the panel. The market will have trouble supporting current vol levels. Sebastian likes buy-write opportunities in gold right now. Larry still has a bullish bias to the market. With expiration week for the front month upon us, Don sees Euro vol settling at around 12.40-12.75. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8659 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8659 Mon, 5 Dec 2011 10:46:00 GMT Last week, in a coordinated effort to lower the dollar funding costs for European banks the US Federal Reserve along with five other central banks lowered the three-month euro swap rate, allowing European banks to pay a lower premium to borrow dollars in the swap market. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8646 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8646 Mon, 5 Dec 2011 11:20:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8647 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8647 Thu, 1 Dec 2011 10:44:00 GMT There and s nothing like a gigantic rally to get the market and s juices flowing. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8622 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8622 Mon, 28 Nov 2011 10:02:00 GMT Usually when the financial media mentions record events, they refer to new highs or other positive developments. However, last week it was to draw attention to the worst Thanksgiving week on record for equities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8578 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8578 Mon, 28 Nov 2011 10:19:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8580 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8580 Tue, 22 Nov 2011 10:20:00 GMT As the market sold off today, there was a brief period where the VIX and s outcome was in doubt...that quickly past and it now appears that VIX is going into Holiday mode already. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8556 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8556 Tue, 22 Nov 2011 11:36:00 GMT Volatility Review: It and s been a rough week for the equity markets. With the weekend decay out, and the super committee and s report due this week, is it time to buy or sell the VIX? Is leverage causing a rise in volatility? What and s going on with the Euro FX VolContract, and what does realized volatility look like right now? What and s the latest news on the Dec one-month VolContract? Volatility Viewpoints: Bob talks about the long-term future of volatility, the volatility of volatility, and how efficiency affects the market. Also, Bob discusses his initial thoughts of the article in Futures magazine written last week. Crystal Ball: With the VIX at 33, we need the market to move 2% per day to pay for VIX. Is that possible, or are we looking at a potential meltdown? If we see the VolContract fall anywhere below 13%, should we be looking to get long FX vol? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8558 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8558 Mon, 21 Nov 2011 09:53:00 GMT Without the negative sovereign debt news coming from Europe, equities would be responding positively to the normal seasonal strength that typically begins in November and runs through January. Now however, it looks as if there could be another test of the lows. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8544 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8544 Mon, 21 Nov 2011 10:50:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8545 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8545 Thu, 17 Nov 2011 12:53:00 GMT We are seeing some very interesting and contradicting signals from the equity markets. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8517 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8517 Wed, 16 Nov 2011 09:05:00 GMT As many of you know the VIX options are quite a unique beast. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8506 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8506 Mon, 14 Nov 2011 10:03:00 GMT Despite the headwinds coming from Europe, we think the chances are quite good the current strength will continue through year-end. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8478 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8478 Mon, 14 Nov 2011 11:45:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8480 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8480 Mon, 14 Nov 2011 20:12:00 GMT Volatility Review: Only four days into the new front month of December, we have a ton of volatility. Greece and Italy are leading the way, dictating how the market will trade day to day. Mark Sebastian and s week in review. Is Europe ramping up or winding down? The trend of net unit buyers continues into today. Volatility Viewpoint: This segment was kicked off by an article in Futures Magazine, "Stock Market Trends and the Volatility Premium," by Marco Erling. We felt the article would be right up the alley of Volatility Views listeners. Mailbag/Crystal: Ball WHERE ARE WE ON THE EURO VOL CONE? I know the guys over at VolX are big fans of the vol cones. I and d like to know where the Euro VolContracts currently fall on the vol cones spectrum. It sounds like they would be a screaming sell at these levels. Am I correct, and do the hosts agree? Until the VIX proves it can hold 30 and lower, it may be a good time to hold premium -- good for gamma scalping. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8484 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8484 Thu, 10 Nov 2011 11:06:00 GMT In the least shocking sell off in the history of mankind (we called it here), the equity markets once again proved why they are NOT forward looking, they are reactionary. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8454 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8454 Tue, 8 Nov 2011 14:24:00 GMT Volatility Review: The VIX cash and the VIX, in general, have been on quite the roller coaster ride. With further concerns about Greece, and now Italy as well, the VIX bounced right back to the 32 level. Greece continues to set the Euro on fire. Don discusses the recent expiration of the front month November Euro VolContract. Volatility Viewpoint: Don discusses some of the hedging aspects of using VolContracts against options positions or equity portfolios, and some general logistical issues for listeners who are looking to add VolContracts into to their portfolio for the first time. Mailbag: Volatility on Other Indices. Hello Vol Views Crew: Love the show. Keep up the good work. My question concerns the viability of volatility products on indices other than the S and P. For whatever reason, none of those products have managed to attract volume or attention like the VIX, even when the ones that were created by the CBOE. To what do you attribute their failure? Is there something inherent to those indices to make them poor candidates for vol products, or is the S and P simply an ideal candidate for vol products? Thanks for your insight. Crystal Ball: With so much uncertainty coming out of Europe, how long will sentiment factor in vol remaining high? Can Euro volatility at 15% last for the rest of the month? Plus, Mark Sebastian and s weekly outlook http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8433 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8433 Mon, 7 Nov 2011 11:57:00 GMT Since it appears, any comprehensive solution to the Greece debt crisis is still a long way away, this week we will turn our attention to some ideas for the upcoming earnings reports. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8416 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8416 Mon, 7 Nov 2011 12:22:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8417 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8417 Mon, 31 Oct 2011 10:11:00 GMT Since the Europeans delivered what appears to be the first realistic steps in alleviating the sovereign debt crisis the equity markets are considering it quite a Halloween treat. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8345 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8345 Mon, 31 Oct 2011 12:26:00 GMT When the European banks accepted a "voluntary" 50% haircut on their Greek sovereign debt it cleared, away one of the main sticking points to the European rescue plan setting off euro strength and a dollar decline as "risk-on" resumed. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8347 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8347 Mon, 31 Oct 2011 13:47:00 GMT Volatility Review: Mark Sebastian and s week in review. Euro vol a roller coaster ride recently -- two big moves during the first two and a half weeks pulled the one month Nov up and down. Volatility Viewpoint: Trading VolContracts intra-day, and some of the opportunities and mathematical applications inherent in this type of trading. Listener Mail: How Would You Update VIX? Crystal Ball: Euro vol outlook -- will we move lower from here? Also, Mark Sebastian looks into his crystal ball. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8349 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8349 Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:53:00 GMT There a major chink in the VIX armor developed based on the relationship between VIX and SPX. For once VIX sold off harder than SPX rallied. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8333 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8333 Wed, 26 Oct 2011 12:16:00 GMT Volatility Review: A bit of a roller coaster ride with the S and P 500 and VIX -- A general rally in the broad market and a resulting sell-off in the VIX going into this weekend. Don gives a review of the ever-unfolding and crazy world of Euro vol. Plus, Mark Sebastian and s week in review. Volatility Viewpoint: A continuation of the discussion about skew, kurtosis, etc. Why don and t we remove the mean in our volatility formula and why doing it this way is a better hedge for options traders. Listener Mailbag: Volatility Trading for Retail and new products. Crystal Ball: Mark Sebastian weighs in on the upcoming week. Also, an outlook of Euro vol for the remainder of October. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8307 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8307 Tue, 25 Oct 2011 14:17:00 GMT Taking a quick look at premium bought and premium sold in SPX, it is clear that while the SPX was up yesterday, the premium buyers were out in force. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8299 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8299 Mon, 24 Oct 2011 09:39:00 GMT European leaders will now meet twice, first on Sunday and then again Wednesday, in an effort to find a comprehensive strategy to solve the debt crisis that began in Greece. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8277 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8277 Mon, 24 Oct 2011 10:08:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8278 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8278 Wed, 19 Oct 2011 11:07:00 GMT The SPX rallied more than it sold off Monday, and yet, the VIX barely budged, falling less than 2%. On a strike-to-strike basis SPX IV was up. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8245 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8245 Mon, 17 Oct 2011 10:59:00 GMT Just as the markets were starting to hear about the outline of a credible debt-restructuring plan for the Eurozone, news began leaking that Germany wants a 50% to 60% write down of the debt held by the private banks after they had previously agreed to a 21% haircut on their Greek debt holdings. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8218 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8218 Mon, 17 Oct 2011 11:06:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8219 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8219 Mon, 17 Oct 2011 09:44:00 GMT Taped live from the exhibit floor at FIA Chicago, the Volatility Views crew informs and entertains in a way that no one else can. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8226 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8226 Thu, 13 Oct 2011 11:10:00 GMT Yesterday, for a brief moment a few interesting things happend: http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8196 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8196 Wed, 12 Oct 2011 09:05:00 GMT Take a look at where the VIX is currently trading 32.80, right at the low end of the range of the index since the market blew up almost 3 months ago: http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8185 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8185 Fri, 7 Oct 2011 12:11:00 GMT As I stated in yesterday and s post, I traded a contract on SPXpm, and I noticed a couple of things. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8155 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8155 Wed, 5 Oct 2011 13:42:00 GMT One of the results of and volatility exhaustion and is that we may see two things: http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8134 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8134 Tue, 4 Oct 2011 10:31:00 GMT While reporters will be talking about the VIX topping out above 45% and the SPX breaking 1100 for the first time in 2011, those in the know do not seem to be too impressed by what was going on yesterday. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8113 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8113 Mon, 3 Oct 2011 10:29:00 GMT While much of the financial world was anxiously awaiting word on the German Bundestag vote last Thursday, news began appearing about a slowdown in the Chinese property development sector and that the authorities thought cutting off credit to poorly managed developers was desirable as they were intending to encourage consolidation in the sector. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8098 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8098 Mon, 3 Oct 2011 10:54:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8100 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8100 Thu, 29 Sep 2011 13:06:00 GMT The SPX took the dive I expected yesterday, but, I don and rsquo;t think that is the end of it because IV is still ramping up http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8075 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8075 Tue, 27 Sep 2011 10:49:00 GMT Traders, I have two points to make today. First, I see little to celebrate in yesterday and s market movement. The SPX closed up over 2%, and the DOW was up almost 3%, but the VIX did not move in the same manner as SPX. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8049 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8049 Mon, 26 Sep 2011 09:18:00 GMT On Thursday, the Bundestag will vote on the bill to reform the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF). http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8033 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8033 Mon, 26 Sep 2011 11:54:00 GMT In this Digest we offer some thoughts on gold and new ideas that should be less dependent on the near term market direction. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8036 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8036 Mon, 26 Sep 2011 13:21:00 GMT Volatility Review: The markets are turning green after a recent sea of red. A huge sell-off in gold and silver -- the story here is that people are rolling out of gold and precious Metals and keeping funds in cash to be in a position to buy the market when it reaches the bottom. VIX review -- volatility certainly got scary for a little while. Euro vol review. Mailbag: 1. "I and ve been listening to the show for some time and have become intrigued by the concept of VolContracts. I think I have a decent handle on the differences between implied versus realized volatility and I and m ready to take the next step. But that and s where I and m stuck. How do I trade VolContracts? I don and t see them promoted or even mentioned by any brokerage firms. If I call or email my broker (Interactive Brokers), are they even going to know what I and m talking about? Do you have any brokers that you and d recommend for their expertise with VolContracts? Also, since they are listed by the CME and track realized vol of Euro futures, I assume that I will need a futures account to trade them. Lastly, are these listed on Globex so I can trade them electronically or do I need to put an order into a pit?" 2. "Bob Krause advocated the use of volatility cones on a recent show, and I know Don has discussed them in the past as well. However, Mark made an excellent point in a recent episode that, in this environment, vol cones may not be the best barometer for where you should work your orders. It got me wondering if maybe there were certain market environments where vol cones were extremely useful, and other times, such as the current environment, when waiting for mean reversion is the quickest way to blowing out. Long Term Capital immediately comes to mind. I and m wondering what you guys think on this issue. I think I know where Mark stands, but I wonder where Don falls on this since I know he is an ardent fan of vol cones." Crystal Ball: Metal vols -- have we just witnessed the bottom of gold and silver? Mark Sebastian predicts VIX to hit 50 in the next three weeks. We are halfway through the Oct VolContract, and as of Thursday the contract settled at 15.87 -- you would need 18 volatility on the Euro, going forward, to justify that price. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8039 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=8039 Wed, 21 Sep 2011 09:59:00 GMT Are you one of the many people who believe in mean reversion? Do know that the VIX is eventually going to 20 and unlikely to sit perfectly still at 32-33 over the next few days? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7995 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7995 Mon, 19 Sep 2011 11:14:00 GMT Despite being rocked once again by negative news from Europe, equities were somewhat better last week. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7965 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7965 Mon, 19 Sep 2011 12:05:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7968 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7968 Mon, 19 Sep 2011 13:15:00 GMT Volatility Review: VIX futures vs. VIX cash -- many long-dated contracts predicted the sell-off in VIX cash that is now materializing. Bond vol has been crazy, and bonds themselves have been very expensive. Implied and realized volatility. Volatility Viewpoint: Don takes this viewpoint segment to discuss the ideas and principles behind the Kelly Criterion. Crystal Ball: With the VIX in decline, as it moves toward the prediction given by long-term futures, will it dip and then turn back to the upside? An outlook of Euro vol -- with the period of arb availability gone, can we find a new relationship to exploit? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7971 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7971 Wed, 14 Sep 2011 07:26:00 GMT I have often said that in order to win playing options directionally traders need to be right twice http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7925 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7925 Tue, 13 Sep 2011 11:41:00 GMT Yesterday on my podcast and The Option Block and , my co-hosts and I were talking about the massive turnaround. This led to a discussion about what assets were risky in relative terms. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7915 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7915 Mon, 12 Sep 2011 10:20:00 GMT Pressure on the Eurozone was unexpectedly increased Friday when Jürgen Stark announced his resignation from the ECB executive board exposing serious divisions between the members over recent bond purchases of Italian and Spanish debt. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7902 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7902 Mon, 12 Sep 2011 12:02:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7904 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7904 Mon, 12 Sep 2011 12:33:00 GMT Volatility Review: A broad market volatility review – it and s been another volatile week. The market sold off in the wake of a European central bank resignation. Euro vol review – where did Mark and Don and s wager close out? Do they have enough for a private island in the Bahamas? Plus, OptionPit.com and s Mark Sebastian gives his review of the week. Volatility Viewpoint: In this combo Volatility Viewpoint/Listener Mail segment, Mark and Don answer a question from the Options Insider Forum: "I enjoyed the conversation last week between Mark and Bob about the Volatility Feedback Effect. They mentioned that Don is not a fan of this theory and that Bob and Don have had many fights on the subject. I and m curious what Don and s issues are with this concept and what he feels is the truth on the matter." Indeed, Don gets his rebuttal, and gives his two cents about the volatility feedback effect. Crystal Ball: Mark Sebastian and s outlook for the coming week, as well as an outlook of S and P 500 volatility and Euro vol. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7905 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7905 Fri, 9 Sep 2011 12:56:00 GMT I took note yesterday that the CBOE Volatility index, the VIX, is trading at a higher level than the CBOE Nada 100 Volatility index: the VXN. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7893 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7893 Thu, 8 Sep 2011 12:27:00 GMT In GLD, we saw a and panic vol spike and intraday as traders rushed to buy premium in the product. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7882 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7882 Wed, 7 Sep 2011 08:35:00 GMT I and m sure it is not news to any of you that NVDA was up over 1.00 after the bell on blow out earnings http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7866 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7866 Tue, 6 Sep 2011 09:53:00 GMT Since the summer holiday season has ended we now look forward to the schedule of events that is surely to keep volatility well supported for the next few weeks. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7849 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7849 Tue, 6 Sep 2011 10:52:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7850 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7850 Tue, 6 Sep 2011 13:00:00 GMT Volatility Review: A review of SPX, VIX, and pricing the weekend out. Non-farm payroll: what was the impact on vol? Euro vol review. How did Mark and Don and s gentlemanly wager on three- and one-month vol fare from last week? Plus a live Vol Review from OptionPit.com and s Mark Sebastian. Volatility Viewpoint: Volatility Exchange CEO Bob Krause talks inverse correlation – is this specifically to address the VIX negative correlation perception? How can we tell if the market is bullish or bearish? Skew and the somewhat controversial topic of the volatility feedback effect are also on the docket. Is the market trying to forecast future returns? As volatility rises, the market must fall, but does it work the other way as well? Listener Questions: Mark and Bob reach into the dark recesses of the mailbag. "Why exactly is selling a three-month VolContract not the same as selling three consecutive one-month VolContracts? Is it analogous to the difference between writing a three-month option vs. three consecutive front-month options? I know that the sum of the decay in those three front-month options will be greater than the sum of the decay in the three-month option. Is it the same with the VolContracts?" Crystal Ball: An outlook of SPX and VIX. Could we pick up a free weekend on Friday? Euro vol outlook – How will the one- and three-month VolContracts fare? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7857 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7857 Thu, 1 Sep 2011 11:16:00 GMT For a second there, I thought we might do it, as the market rallied quite hard yesterday. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7823 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7823 Thu, 1 Sep 2011 11:20:00 GMT In Roman mythology the god of beginnings and endings, Janus, is typically portrayed having two heads, each facing in opposite directions. His countenances are displayed in this manner so that he can observe the past as well as the future. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7825 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7825 Wed, 31 Aug 2011 13:39:00 GMT The more I look at the structure of IV, the more I am convinced we are heading lower from here http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7815 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7815 Mon, 29 Aug 2011 10:21:00 GMT When the VIX broke through 42% Friday morning, prior to Ben Bernanke and s uneventful speech, I heard several of my students discuss how it had hit a and triple top and , as if high option volatility has any form of technical analysis that can be applied. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7781 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7781 Mon, 29 Aug 2011 12:43:00 GMT Volatility Review: A rundown of VIX, Euro VolContracts, and the equity markets. Interestingly, we have the simultaneous expiration of both the one- and three-month products, so what does their discrepancy in inferred volatility suggest? Mark Sebastian gives his volatility review. The Mail Bag: Don and Mark reach into the mail bag and answer listener questions. 1. Can gamma scalping/hedging be the cause of, or catalyst for, the recent massive down days in the market? Submitted by: Jersey Boy 2. The CBOE has had S and P500 variance contracts available since 2004. Why have VT and VA never taken off and how does VIX remain the volatility hedge of choice with all of its quirks? Submitted by: ZPF 3. I and m eagerly looking forward to more guests. Who do you have on tap for future shows? Submitted by: Complete Beginner The Crystal Ball: An outlook on the Euro vol. Will there be a convergence of the one- and three-month products? Mark Sebastian looks into the crystal ball for the coming week. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7785 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7785 Fri, 26 Aug 2011 12:29:00 GMT There are heavy expectations ahead of Ben Bernanke and s speech from Jackson Hole. We can see this in the way option implied volatility has risen over the last few days. But just what type of move is the market expecting? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7768 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7768 Thu, 25 Aug 2011 13:53:00 GMT Congratulations to Mark Sebastian, who has been nominated as one of CBS Chicago and s Most Valuable Bloggers. If you like Mark and s entries, please take a minute to vote for him. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7758 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7758 Wed, 24 Aug 2011 11:32:00 GMT With all of the market volatility over the last few weeks, one would have thought the market would be FLYING around left and right. It hasn and t. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7740 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7740 Mon, 22 Aug 2011 09:11:00 GMT After another large decline last Thursday, equities along with other "risk-on" assets appear poised for a relief rally that could come early in the week as the markets begin anticipating and debating what Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke may deliver in his Friday speech. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7712 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7712 Mon, 22 Aug 2011 11:06:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7714 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7714 Mon, 22 Aug 2011 13:59:00 GMT Volatility Review: Volatility contracts have calmed a little – a surprise given what the recent history for the previous contracts has been. A rundown of the weekly VIX, Euro VolContracts, and the equity markets. Plus Mark Sebastian gives his volatility review. Volatility Viewpoints: Special guest Euan Sinclair, author of several books including "Option Trading" and "Volatility Trading," and risk manager at Bluefin Trading, discusses measuring volatility. Euan and s concept of the barrier method or first-exit-time method vs. the standard close-to-close method. The Crystal Ball: An outlook on the Euro Vol. Also Mark Sebastian looks into the crystal ball for the coming week. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7719 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7719 Fri, 19 Aug 2011 12:49:00 GMT In terms of volatility relative to movement in the SPX, at its peak, yesterday and s movement in the SPX volatility was the worst we have seen. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7703 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7703 Thu, 18 Aug 2011 10:36:00 GMT One of the founding principles of the VIX futures is that the structure of them comes from SPX options. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7690 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7690 Wed, 17 Aug 2011 12:30:00 GMT What does an overpriced VIX really mean? If one looks at historical volatility relative to implied volatility, the VIX is almost always to high. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7677 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7677 Tue, 16 Aug 2011 10:11:00 GMT The VIX got hammered yesterday and the SPX is now trading at a higher level than it was before the S and P downgrade. So...all is well...maybe. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7661 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7661 Mon, 15 Aug 2011 10:49:00 GMT After two weeks of uncertainty, high volatility and volume equities look as if they have found a short-term bottom. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7647 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7647 Mon, 15 Aug 2011 10:57:00 GMT Trading opportunities arising from violent volatility swings http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7648 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7648 Mon, 15 Aug 2011 16:23:00 GMT Mark and Don are joined by Dan Keegan from the Chicago School of Trading for a spirited discussion of volatility and volatility trading. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7655 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7655 Fri, 12 Aug 2011 12:34:00 GMT There were a few things I liked about the rally yesterday, but there was one thing I really didn and t like. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7637 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7637 Thu, 11 Aug 2011 10:37:00 GMT SPX is starting to eerily resemble some of the price action from 2008 but less severe. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7624 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7624 Wed, 10 Aug 2011 09:46:00 GMT Does yesterday and s price action mean we are out of the woods? I am not so sure. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7613 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7613 Tue, 9 Aug 2011 11:00:00 GMT As interesting as futures prices and implied volatilities are, I thought I might share an actionable idea today. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7599 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7599 Wed, 3 Aug 2011 11:52:00 GMT Yesterday, on a day when the SPX was down more than 30 handles the VIX was up just a little more than 1%. What gives? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7551 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7551 Tue, 2 Aug 2011 10:13:00 GMT With the passage of the debt ceiling in the house and likely the senate tomorrow, traders should remember a few things about VIX and trading today http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7537 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7537 Mon, 1 Aug 2011 10:57:00 GMT Traders, while the VIX may have finished near the high of the day, the expectation is that it will not stay there. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7526 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7526 Mon, 1 Aug 2011 13:03:00 GMT Busting Skew Myths!!!! Does the Lottery Effect actually exist? Do flaws in the Black-Scholes model create skew? Were options traders prior to 1987 completely insane? Also, an exploration of the fundamental and psychological causes of Equity/Investment skew. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7528 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7528 Fri, 29 Jul 2011 10:51:00 GMT The next few days should be fun. Before trading be thoughtful, but do not be afraid, those who sit in fear miss opportunity. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7511 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7511 Wed, 27 Jul 2011 09:43:00 GMT I think there is a lot more slack in implied volatility and expect it to rise as the US Debt situation becomes an all-out crisis. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7487 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7487 Tue, 26 Jul 2011 12:47:00 GMT I have a really bad feeling on the state of the market. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7473 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7473 Mon, 25 Jul 2011 09:38:00 GMT The news on Friday afternoon that there was no deal to raise the debt ceiling is likely to be received very negatively by market participants at the opening on Monday. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7459 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7459 Mon, 25 Jul 2011 09:49:00 GMT While many advise avoiding the tech sector until September, some of the stocks are interesting now having experienced sharp declines in the last few months. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7460 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7460 Thu, 21 Jul 2011 12:33:00 GMT Yesterday I took notice of how hard implied volatility had been sold off in major tech firms right after they made some huge stock moves. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7442 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7442 Mon, 18 Jul 2011 09:36:00 GMT While Europe leaders play "Extend and Pretend", and Washington plays political "Chicken" the equity markets, based upon our indicators, remain remarkably sanguine. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7404 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7404 Mon, 18 Jul 2011 09:47:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7406 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7406 Mon, 18 Jul 2011 12:43:00 GMT Mark, Don and Mark Sebastian discuss a crazy week in volatility, where volatility might be heading, and answer listener questions. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7408 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7408 Wed, 13 Jul 2011 10:17:00 GMT There are new options out there called NASDAQ OMX Alpha Indexes Options. This post will explain some of the aspects of this "New Kid on the Block" for options. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7376 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7376 Mon, 11 Jul 2011 09:06:00 GMT Last week the markets once again turned their focus to Europe as Moody and s downgraded Portugal and s sovereign debt to junk status, along with a sell-off in Italian bonds and bank stocks. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7350 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7350 Mon, 11 Jul 2011 09:35:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7351 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7351 Mon, 11 Jul 2011 12:39:00 GMT Mark and Don talk to Mike Cavanaugh, President of Know Your Options, Inc., about collar strategies, the VIX disconnect, self-directed trading, and more. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7354 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7354 Tue, 5 Jul 2011 09:49:00 GMT Last week and s oversized bounce was probably due to two factors, the parliamentary vote in Greece forestalling a near term default event and the end of QE2 with the resulting bubble in the Treasury market that began deflating. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7306 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7306 Tue, 5 Jul 2011 10:37:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7308 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7308 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 09:55:00 GMT A lot of fear came out of the market yesterday. But how much? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7289 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7289 Wed, 29 Jun 2011 10:35:00 GMT One of the trickier things to do is to evaluate risk premium ahead of a market event. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7276 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7276 Tue, 28 Jun 2011 12:04:00 GMT Option traders, I was a quite a bit wrong last week. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7267 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7267 Mon, 27 Jun 2011 09:27:00 GMT The coordinated action of the US and the International Energy Agency to sell 60 million barrels light crude oil from the strategic petroleum reserves has most likely put an end to "Oil and s Endless Bid" as explained by Dan Dicker in his recent book. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7255 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7255 Mon, 27 Jun 2011 09:32:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7256 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7256 Fri, 24 Jun 2011 10:32:00 GMT There was quite an interesting development in the volatility yesterday. This is one of these days where close-close or open-open volatility misses all of the action, this is part of the reason I pay a lot of attention to range volatility. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7247 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7247 Wed, 22 Jun 2011 11:54:00 GMT Yesterday was an interesting day for the volatility complex. While the SPX enjoyed a huge up day yesterday in anticipation of a vote of confidence for the current Greek government, I could feel the trading tension. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7231 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7231 Mon, 20 Jun 2011 11:03:00 GMT With the exception of a few odd takeovers, last week and s financial news was all about the theater going on in Europe and assessing the probability of a Greek debt default. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7208 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7208 Mon, 20 Jun 2011 11:14:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7209 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7209 Mon, 20 Jun 2011 17:39:00 GMT In this episode, Mark and Don chat with Bill Luby, creator of the popular website VIX and More. They discuss the roller coaster volatility of late, whether the VIX has underperformed given current market conditions, whether VIX futures are essentially irrelevant, whether VIX should be marketed as a hedging tool, the inherent differences between implied and realized volatility, Euro vol updates, and much more... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7214 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7214 Thu, 16 Jun 2011 11:20:00 GMT Since the market had its 30 point sell off at the beginning of the month, many of my option mentoring students have lamented how poorly the VIX has correlated with the fall in the market place. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7192 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7192 Wed, 15 Jun 2011 11:53:00 GMT On Wednesday with increasingly poor economic news, the options market reacted with a 12-week high in the VIX. After closing at 18.26 on Tuesday, the VIX rose to 21.33 on Wednesday. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7188 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7188 Tue, 14 Jun 2011 13:14:00 GMT I do not think anyone would call yesterday a fearful session on any level. The fact that nothing happened, and SPX IV remained essentially unchanged should be considered a slightly bullish sign for volatility. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7172 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7172 Mon, 13 Jun 2011 09:55:00 GMT Last week the major equity indexes looked oversold and the chances looked good for a short-term rally. Surprisingly the only rally attempt came last Thursday and it was feeble at best. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7155 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7155 Mon, 13 Jun 2011 10:01:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7156 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7156 Mon, 13 Jun 2011 12:40:00 GMT Mark and Don sit down with Tom Sosnoff, Founder of Thinkorswim, and CEO of Tasytrade. They discuss the impact of weeklies on option volatility; the difficulties associated with launching new products in the options market; whether futures contracts are even relevant to retail customers and much more... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7161 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7161 Mon, 13 Jun 2011 12:52:00 GMT The VIX may have gained a little more than 1%, something those in the media will point toward as an increase in fear. As I look at volatility I do not seem much of an uptick at all. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7162 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7162 Thu, 9 Jun 2011 13:57:00 GMT The VIX did something totally unexpected yesterday...It acted like It is SUPPOSED TO!!! http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7138 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7138 Tue, 7 Jun 2011 09:47:00 GMT As I have stated several times, I continue to be shocked by the brazen put selling that continues to go on. I am not sure where it stops. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7115 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7115 Tue, 7 Jun 2011 10:13:00 GMT A snapshot of the upside and downside pre-market activity for June 7 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7117 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7117 Mon, 6 Jun 2011 10:25:00 GMT The US employment report on Friday confirmed what the equity indexes have been foretelling for the last month. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7104 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7104 Mon, 6 Jun 2011 10:32:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7105 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7105 Mon, 6 Jun 2011 13:18:00 GMT For the second time in a week, Mark and Don get together to discuss volatility, volatility resources, and what and s on the horizon http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7108 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7108 Wed, 1 Jun 2011 07:38:00 GMT With the market up big and coming off of a bit of a selloff, it is not much of surprise that the VIX is breaking 16 again. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7079 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7079 Tue, 31 May 2011 10:05:00 GMT Last year following the old English adage to "Sell in May and go away" resulted in saving a 9.4% decline in the S and P 500 Index. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7069 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7069 Tue, 31 May 2011 10:22:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7070 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7070 Fri, 27 May 2011 11:26:00 GMT If you like to follow Adam Warner and s tweets (something every real option trader should) you know that very Monday he likes to remind all option traders that just because the VIX is up, does not mean that volatility is up. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7063 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7063 Tue, 24 May 2011 12:37:00 GMT Mark and Don talk Euro vol arbitrage opportunities, ratio and calendar spreads, answer viewer mail, and even have time to talk about blackjack. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7038 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7038 Mon, 23 May 2011 10:43:00 GMT Along with our regular market indicators, we look at the cyclical status of the equity market, admittedly something we should have done sooner since the cyclical rotation looks to be well underway. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7028 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7028 Mon, 23 May 2011 11:00:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7029 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7029 Thu, 19 May 2011 10:01:00 GMT Prior to the reverse split I predicted that the stock was going to have a rough go of it over the next few weeks. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7010 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=7010 Tue, 17 May 2011 12:03:00 GMT Since the end of 2008, despite much talk of a turbulent market the VIX has been heading on an almost perfect down slope http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6989 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6989 Tue, 17 May 2011 12:08:00 GMT Live from Savannah, Mark is joined by Robert Krause, CEO and Chairman of the Volatility Exchange http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6990 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6990 Mon, 16 May 2011 11:30:00 GMT For the second out of three days, we have seen the market take a nice dive, and the VIX act as if it could not care less. What gives? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6977 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6977 Tue, 10 May 2011 12:33:00 GMT If volatility is mean reverting, then where should the VIX actually be trading? What is normal, low and high implied volatility? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6945 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6945 Mon, 9 May 2011 10:16:00 GMT Pricing in selected commodities seems to have lost touch with the reality of supply and demand fundamentals. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6935 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6935 Mon, 9 May 2011 10:24:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6936 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6936 Mon, 9 May 2011 12:01:00 GMT When I asked on Wednesday if the VIX had topped out, the market responded with a resounding "NO!" http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6937 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6937 Thu, 5 May 2011 12:34:00 GMT Option traders, the market was down more than a standard deviation today based on yesterday and s closing VIX (more if we are looking at ATM IV). Yet, the VIX rallied a measly .4% what gives? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6921 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6921 Wed, 4 May 2011 13:27:00 GMT "In every game of poker, there is a sucker. If you do not know who the sucker is...well...then it and s probably you." http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6915 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6915 Tue, 3 May 2011 10:25:00 GMT When SPX skew gets this out of whack it is not going to be there for long. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6899 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6899 Mon, 2 May 2011 11:01:00 GMT Last Wednesday Ben Bernanke was clear, the Federal Reserve intends to keep interest rates at the current low levels for sometime probably for the next two meetings of the Federal Open Market Committee meetings. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6890 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6890 Mon, 2 May 2011 11:34:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6891 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6891 Thu, 28 Apr 2011 09:36:00 GMT As I have often said, anytime I see SPX front month fall more than 2% below SPX second month I begin to look for opportunities to put on short time spreads. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6873 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6873 Tue, 26 Apr 2011 14:09:00 GMT Today, I would be remiss if I didn and t discuss what is going on in SLV. The ETF is on the rally, but the option implied volatility has exploded http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6859 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6859 Mon, 25 Apr 2011 11:00:00 GMT Market review with a volatility twist http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6848 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6848 Mon, 25 Apr 2011 11:12:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6849 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6849 Thu, 21 Apr 2011 11:25:00 GMT The SPX Launched Upward yesterday and never faltered. As in most cases, when the market was up, the VIX was down. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6840 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6840 Wed, 20 Apr 2011 10:47:00 GMT In the last few days we have seen the VIX hit near 3 year lows, bounce almost 30% and fall back right to where it started. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6828 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6828 Tue, 19 Apr 2011 11:29:00 GMT Volatility Views 4: The Many Flavors of Volatility Cones Volatility Review: We get a real-time look at the volatility of volatility with a big one-day move in the Euro vol contract. "Sell" was the word in vol last week. Contango craziness. Strategy Session: Contango - a basic introduction; Mean reversion - beyond basic introduction; Volatility cones as a trading signal: they come in many flavors. Crystal Ball: Interesting vol ahead, both in the Euro contracts, and in the market in general. VIX cash fluctuations. Sebastian predicts that S and P will downgrade U.S. debt on Monday. Are you ready for "Sell in May and go away"? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6820 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6820 Mon, 18 Apr 2011 11:10:00 GMT This week we have an eclectic mix of option trading ideas from searching our database of 3008 underlying stocks, indices and ETFs. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6809 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6809 Mon, 18 Apr 2011 11:17:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6810 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6810 Fri, 15 Apr 2011 17:26:00 GMT As someone who watches SPX volatility and VIX movement probably as closely as any blogger/educator this side of Bill Luby, I have to say I have been impressed by the ability of the VIX futures to hold up so well relative to the cash VIX. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6803 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6803 Thu, 14 Apr 2011 09:02:00 GMT I was reviewing the SPX yesterday, noticing how while ATM IV has been falling; the SKEW of the SPX has not been decreasing in the same respect. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6791 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6791 Wed, 13 Apr 2011 10:00:00 GMT My opiton mentoring students are often asking me to analyze stocks into earnings. I thought today I could give an example of what I might look at when analyzing a stock like GOOG. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6783 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6783 Mon, 11 Apr 2011 10:33:00 GMT On February 23, 2011, The CBOE started publishing their Skew Index, measuring what is called "tail risk" or "black swan" risk in the US equity markets. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6763 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6763 Mon, 11 Apr 2011 11:09:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6764 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6764 Fri, 8 Apr 2011 10:29:00 GMT There are a couple of reasons why the VIX is such a good hedging product. The main reason is that when the market goes down the VIX goes up. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6755 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6755 Thu, 7 Apr 2011 11:30:00 GMT As I have told many of my option mentoring students, now is not a great time to be trading income spreads in the major indexes (SPX, RUT, NDX, etc). http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6746 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6746 Mon, 4 Apr 2011 12:51:00 GMT In just over two weeks the emerging markets as measured by the MSCI Emerging Markets Index has risen almost 12% despite talk of rising interest rates in Europe, China and Brazil. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6722 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6722 Mon, 4 Apr 2011 13:15:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6723 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6723 Thu, 31 Mar 2011 08:42:00 GMT As many of you know I spend a chunk of my time looking at SPX volatility...almost to the point of obsession. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6699 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6699 Mon, 28 Mar 2011 13:30:00 GMT With the US Federal Reserve and other central banks pumping money into the worldwide financial system, events, which could easily be described as major structural shocks, are occurring without having significant effects on the financial markets. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6682 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6682 Mon, 28 Mar 2011 13:40:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6683 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6683 Fri, 25 Mar 2011 16:36:00 GMT My option mentoring students will tell you when it comes to option trading the two things I probably talk about most are implied volatility and skew. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6667 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6667 Fri, 25 Mar 2011 09:23:00 GMT If you think the world is VIX-y now, just wait, it and s about to get VIX-ier. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6669 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6669 Thu, 24 Mar 2011 08:48:00 GMT In a which came first the chicken or the egg scenario, when it comes to VIX and SPX, the answer might be the Chicken. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6659 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6659 Wed, 23 Mar 2011 09:58:00 GMT One of the questions my options mentoring students always ask me when we are coming off of VIX spikes is whether this is the end of the spike. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6650 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6650 Tue, 22 Mar 2011 13:25:00 GMT To say that I think Schwab is getting a deal here is the understatement of the century. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6639 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6639 Mon, 21 Mar 2011 11:08:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6632 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6632 Fri, 18 Mar 2011 10:29:00 GMT I think it is always interesting to evaluate how much the S and P 500 is really down or up relative to what the VIX is reading. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6623 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6623 Tue, 15 Mar 2011 10:03:00 GMT Comparing the cost of insuring against an earthquake loss, there are some similarities to hedging equity portfolio risk. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6596 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6596 Tue, 15 Mar 2011 10:12:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6597 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6597 Mon, 14 Mar 2011 12:32:00 GMT Welcome to Volatility Views, the latest addition to The Options Insider Radio Network. Volatility Views is brought to you in collaboration with VolX - The Volatility Exchange. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6587 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6587 Thu, 10 Mar 2011 10:34:00 GMT Adam Warner and s post frames the VIX in an interesting way, pointing out that the VIX doesn and t "trade" like a stock because it and s really only a statistic. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6573 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6573 Wed, 9 Mar 2011 11:03:00 GMT Clearly the market does not think the turmoil is over. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6561 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6561 Wed, 9 Mar 2011 14:03:00 GMT This article is the continuation of the article on the financials "Heads Up, Watch the Financials." http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6566 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6566 Tue, 8 Mar 2011 11:50:00 GMT This is the most interesting trading since last May, so I thought it might be time to check in on The State of Volatility in the SPX. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6552 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6552 Mon, 7 Mar 2011 09:05:00 GMT The current condition seems like a movie we have already seen. Crude oil closes above $100 a barrel, the US dollar is declining along with the emerging market equities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6538 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6538 Mon, 7 Mar 2011 09:22:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6540 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6540 Mon, 7 Mar 2011 09:17:00 GMT Should the implied volatility for S and P 500 options that expire in three months be higher or lower than for options that expire in one month? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6541 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6541 Mon, 7 Mar 2011 12:33:00 GMT A quick graphical example of the difference between volatility and the VIX http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6544 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6544 Wed, 2 Mar 2011 09:44:00 GMT Yesterday, I noticed that based on the way the VIX and the SPX were acting that I thought we were going to sell off (we did, and then some). http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6513 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6513 Tue, 1 Mar 2011 10:41:00 GMT Sometimes, in all my analysis of implied volatility, my option mentoring students get a little lost as to what the net result of all of this volatility talk is: price. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6504 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6504 Mon, 28 Feb 2011 10:20:00 GMT You can view a chart of the VIX just as you can for any stock. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6495 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6495 Fri, 25 Feb 2011 10:48:00 GMT I wonder if, yesterday, traders didn and t simply move the date to Saturday already. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6485 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6485 Thu, 24 Feb 2011 10:19:00 GMT Yesterday was the type of day that could give an option trader hope that the increase in implied volatility is coming near the end: The VIX did not close on its high and s and, the SPX managed to hold 1300. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6476 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6476 Wed, 23 Feb 2011 09:41:00 GMT Hopefully, you option traders know by now you that the VIX is not the end all be all of volatility http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6466 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6466 Tue, 22 Feb 2011 10:31:00 GMT A mixed bag is an unexpected or unorganized assortment of things, people or ideas. We use it to symbolize this week and s collection miscellaneous trading ideas. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6457 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6457 Tue, 22 Feb 2011 11:02:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6458 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6458 Tue, 22 Feb 2011 12:21:00 GMT The Greeks aren and t real http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6459 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6459 Thu, 17 Feb 2011 11:11:00 GMT We saw a weird event take place yesterday; the VIX and the SPX began to correlate. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6442 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6442 Mon, 14 Feb 2011 09:42:00 GMT Considering the date, perhaps we should have titled this issue with something related to Valentine and s Day but since we are more interested in trading opportunities we think silver is a better choice. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6411 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6411 Mon, 14 Feb 2011 10:19:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6412 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6412 Mon, 14 Feb 2011 10:36:00 GMT There are a lot of traders looking for the most favorable trade, in order to pick this trade; one must try to evaluate current conditions. With that in mind, what is the State of Volatility in the SPX? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6413 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6413 Wed, 9 Feb 2011 09:59:00 GMT As many of you option traders know, the VIX closed at the lowest point since April 20th, 2010. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6381 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6381 Mon, 7 Feb 2011 10:54:00 GMT Since the books are now closed for January it is time to update the January Barometer, sometimes also called the January Effect. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6363 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6363 Mon, 7 Feb 2011 11:24:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6364 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6364 Mon, 7 Feb 2011 14:29:00 GMT Recently, I received an email asking me my thoughts on this question http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6366 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6366 Thu, 3 Feb 2011 10:32:00 GMT This just in, when volatility pops, calendars tend to lose and lose big. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6344 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6344 Wed, 2 Feb 2011 10:19:00 GMT It is common knowledge to most traders that when the market rallies implied volatility tends to fall. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6335 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6335 Wed, 2 Feb 2011 14:12:00 GMT Friday and s sharp price action saw the S and P 500 shed nearly 1.8% and the NASDAQ fall by almost 2.5% – wiping out much of January and s gains. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6338 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6338 Tue, 1 Feb 2011 09:03:00 GMT With the continued turmoil in Egypt the market has seen a nice uptick in implied. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6324 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6324 Mon, 31 Jan 2011 09:10:00 GMT Images of rioting in the streets of Egypt renews contrarian thoughts made famous by Baron Rothschild, the 18th century British nobleman and member of the Rothschild banking family, who is credited with saying, "The time to buy is when there and s blood in the streets." http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6313 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6313 Mon, 31 Jan 2011 10:25:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6314 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6314 Thu, 27 Jan 2011 11:33:00 GMT One of the things I am constantly trying to explain to my option mentoring students is what the VIX really represents. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6295 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6295 Wed, 26 Jan 2011 13:24:00 GMT One of my option mentoring students favorite earnings plays is AMZN. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6286 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6286 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 08:51:00 GMT I teach my option mentoring students that for the most part, when the market goes up, implied volatility falls. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6273 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6273 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 08:54:00 GMT This view just after the open helps identify stocks that are gapping up or down early and might present early opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6274 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6274 Mon, 24 Jan 2011 09:44:00 GMT Last week and s look at the relationship between the Historical Volatility and Implied Volatility of the S and P 500 Index (SPX) led us to conclude the unusually low Historical Volatility would not likely last much longer. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6262 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6262 Mon, 24 Jan 2011 11:08:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6263 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6263 Mon, 24 Jan 2011 14:31:00 GMT Options Insider Newsletter readers make the choice in the Product of the Year award. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6268 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6268 Fri, 21 Jan 2011 11:48:00 GMT I decided to detail more of how I identify probable price action at supply and demand levels http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6253 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6253 Thu, 20 Jan 2011 10:45:00 GMT One of the limitations of the VIX index is that it only provides a snapshot of SPX implied volatility at a constant 30-day duration. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6241 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6241 Thu, 20 Jan 2011 11:17:00 GMT If there are new single-stock VIX indices now, why couldn and t you also have a "sector VIX"? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6243 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6243 Thu, 20 Jan 2011 12:41:00 GMT When I looked at AAPL earnings the other day, based on what I was saw out of the Steve Jobs news, I had a feeling that the stock might have a bit of a dud earnings report. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6246 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6246 Wed, 19 Jan 2011 11:34:00 GMT Across the option blogosphere the hot talk is AAPL and IBM. However, I think the real interesting earnings play might not be an individual equity it might be the SPX. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6233 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6233 Tue, 18 Jan 2011 11:01:00 GMT Here near the start of the New Year while the S and P 500 Index, along with several other major US equity indexes are rising while the volatility measures are declining, we thought his would be a good time to update the information about our source of VIX options data. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6220 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6220 Tue, 18 Jan 2011 12:09:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6221 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6221 Tue, 18 Jan 2011 13:00:00 GMT One thing I have paid close attention to in my many years of writing articles is making sure I did not spend much time writing about concepts and strategies that everyone else writes and talks about. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6223 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6223 Fri, 14 Jan 2011 11:32:00 GMT In this article, I will discuss the concept that Delta is the same regardless of which side of the trade a trader is on. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6214 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6214 Wed, 12 Jan 2011 13:09:00 GMT Volume can give many clues as to the strength of price movement and even information as to the thoughts and actions of the masses involved in a security. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6198 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6198 Tue, 11 Jan 2011 11:28:00 GMT According to the CBOE, single-stock "VIX-like" indices will measure implied volatility for options on these stocks in a similar way that the regular VIX does for S and P 500 index options. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6185 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6185 Mon, 10 Jan 2011 11:17:00 GMT If treasures were easy to find there would be so much available they would have little value. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6176 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6176 Mon, 10 Jan 2011 12:01:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6177 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6177 Thu, 6 Jan 2011 13:13:00 GMT This article is the continuation of the first one from the last week, "What Went Wrong?!?." http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6160 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6160 Wed, 29 Dec 2010 10:50:00 GMT This fall, I commented more than once on how frothy the gold craze has gotten, and explained why I think the gold equivalent of a tulip bulb in 1636 is in a bubble that could result in a dramatic crash. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6109 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6109 Wed, 29 Dec 2010 10:56:00 GMT When it comes to entry points into a trade, most traders are always looking for the entry to offer confirmation and very low risk. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6110 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6110 Wed, 29 Dec 2010 11:03:00 GMT If you have been reading the Lessons from the Pros for any time now, you know that to execute trades, we rely on supply and demand levels. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6111 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6111 Thu, 23 Dec 2010 09:25:00 GMT Netflix (NFLX) appears to be one of those stocks that doesn and t know how volatile it and s supposed to be – or at least options traders seem a bit confused. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6087 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6087 Wed, 22 Dec 2010 10:34:00 GMT For traders new to options the Christmas holidays mark a generally illiquid time as the market takes a week or so off. I http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6077 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6077 Tue, 21 Dec 2010 13:07:00 GMT A few days ago I pointed out that while the VIX has fallen since late November, it and s certainly not nearing all-time lows (yet). http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6067 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6067 Mon, 20 Dec 2010 11:34:00 GMT Ah, the ever present question as to where a trader should place stops. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6060 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6060 Fri, 17 Dec 2010 11:38:00 GMT I have been keeping an eye on the CBOE and s new Weekly products for a while trying to get a sense of how they trade. And, duh, it is just expiration every week. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6050 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6050 Thu, 16 Dec 2010 12:15:00 GMT Lately, I have received email questions regarding a specific strategy we teach and employ at Online Trading Academy. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6040 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6040 Tue, 14 Dec 2010 13:08:00 GMT This week and s article takes note of the inverse relationship of the U.S. Dollar, and the equity market and how you could use both to make a delta neutral trade. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6020 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6020 Mon, 13 Dec 2010 11:35:00 GMT While the Treasury bond market staggered as long-term interest rates rose, precious [[[meta]]]ls kicked off a predictable seasonal decline with key reversals in gold and gold mining equities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6007 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6007 Mon, 13 Dec 2010 11:50:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6008 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6008 Fri, 10 Dec 2010 14:05:00 GMT When today and s implied volatility for options on a stock is higher than yesterday and s, that may represent traders and changing views on future volatility. But what if there was no implied volatility yesterday? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6005 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6005 Mon, 6 Dec 2010 08:27:00 GMT The holiday sale ideas we have for this Digest Issue are not an advertisement, but instead refer to establishing short option positions over the holiday period to benefit from options time decay and declining volatility. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5964 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5964 Mon, 6 Dec 2010 08:35:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5965 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5965 Wed, 1 Dec 2010 16:02:00 GMT One of the recurring stories of these past two earnings seasons was the lack of sales growth. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5943 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5943 Tue, 30 Nov 2010 11:36:00 GMT The simple fact that there had to be a QE2 signals the effectiveness of QE1 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5924 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5924 Mon, 29 Nov 2010 10:34:00 GMT With a least two important divergences working in the equity market we are going to take a further look to see what these cautionary signals may foretell going into the last month of the year http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5913 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5913 Mon, 29 Nov 2010 12:52:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5914 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5914 Tue, 23 Nov 2010 01:14:00 GMT In this episode, Mark is joined by Robert Krause, CEO, The Volatility Exchange. Mark and Robert discuss the methodology and psychology behind the new realized volatility contracts from Volx. With the VIX obsession reaching a fever pitch, is there room for a realized volatility product in the marketplace? How will Volx overcome the initial stumbling blocks for new proprietary products and attract liquidity providers? Why did Volx decide to launch its first listed contracts on CME currency futures? What else is on the horizon for Volx? Tune in to find out... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5894 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5894 Tue, 23 Nov 2010 10:03:00 GMT Before you can fly, you must learn the basics: Using the safety gear, rigging the equipment, how to control the glider while on the ground, takeoff and landing procedures, wind effects, and of course, control of the glider in flight. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5896 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5896 Mon, 22 Nov 2010 11:26:00 GMT Since the term volatility is being more frequently encountered these days in the financial media and since it has been awhile since we reviewed how the terminology is used we are going devote some space in this Digest to volatility. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5885 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5885 Mon, 22 Nov 2010 12:58:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5888 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5888 Fri, 19 Nov 2010 11:04:00 GMT Once again it is time to take a look at the stock market from a larger perspective to see if we can figure out the near term and longer term future price direction. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5879 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5879 Fri, 19 Nov 2010 11:13:00 GMT Now the EU is going to see what is under the lid of the Irish Banks. I hope they find more than a couple of cases of Guinness http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5880 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5880 Thu, 18 Nov 2010 13:36:00 GMT Speculating in financial markets entails continuous observation, and extrapolation of price graphs, thus visual imagery is a powerful teaching tool when conveying trading concepts in the technical realm. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5867 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5867 Tue, 16 Nov 2010 14:09:00 GMT When people talk about trading and risk, I find they often leave out one of the biggest risks to trading which is us and our emotions. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5843 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5843 Mon, 15 Nov 2010 12:20:00 GMT There were many developments reported by financial media last week, but not much attention was given to the decline in longer maturity Treasury bond prices as the Federal Reserve implemented the first round of quantative easing. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5828 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5828 Mon, 15 Nov 2010 12:29:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5831 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5831 Tue, 9 Nov 2010 11:07:00 GMT With the advent of ETFs, it has become incredibly easy for Americans to take advantage of the tremendous growth of emerging economies. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5783 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5783 Tue, 9 Nov 2010 13:51:00 GMT Several clients mentioned the sizable decline in implied volatility and characterized current levels of IV as too low to sell. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5787 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5787 Mon, 8 Nov 2010 11:31:00 GMT In this article, I will go over a lesson about complex spread execution on the weeklies. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5794 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5794 Mon, 8 Nov 2010 11:26:00 GMT The last time we featured Ben delivering the goods was September 24, 2007. Then he surprised the financial markets by delivering a more than expected 50 basis points reduction in Fed Funds rate. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5773 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5773 Mon, 8 Nov 2010 11:57:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5774 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5774 Mon, 1 Nov 2010 09:53:00 GMT While the QE2 has been converted into a hotel in Dubai, its monetary namesake is due to arrive in New York on Wednesday and the financial markets are anxiously waiting to see just how big it is going to be. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5727 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5727 Mon, 1 Nov 2010 10:31:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5728 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5728 Mon, 1 Nov 2010 11:15:00 GMT The only thing we have any control over when we are trading and that is the amount we are willing to lose on any given trade. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5729 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5729 Fri, 29 Oct 2010 09:58:00 GMT As I was working with a class on the topic of short vertical spreads looking for an example, the students insisted on using AAPL. I obliged. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5721 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5721 Thu, 28 Oct 2010 13:17:00 GMT What does the Foreclosure Crisis mean for the Financials? What now, the Paper Pusher crisis? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5714 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5714 Tue, 26 Oct 2010 13:08:00 GMT The other day I received an email from a reader who had taken time to read two of my covered call articles. The email stated a great disappointment for not providing an example of how to execute a Buy-Write Covered Call strategy on TradeStation; hence, this article. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5692 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5692 Mon, 25 Oct 2010 11:35:00 GMT This will be the second week the financial news is likely to be focused on gold and earnings reports. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5678 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5678 Mon, 25 Oct 2010 11:46:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5679 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5679 Mon, 25 Oct 2010 13:04:00 GMT Mark and s east-coast travel continues with a trip to New York. He will be speaking at the Buy-Side Tech Global Equities Trading Summit tomorrow at 1:30. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5683 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5683 Thu, 21 Oct 2010 11:46:00 GMT I and ll admit that it is not every day that an intraday trader will find that large winner. However, if you follow the right steps to prepare for trading every day, you will be more likely to find these opportunities when they arrive. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5661 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5661 Wed, 20 Oct 2010 11:54:00 GMT I want to help simplify the powerful and important Bond markets for you and focus on three reasons why you may want to pay a little more attention to them. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5652 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5652 Mon, 18 Oct 2010 10:20:00 GMT This year, once again, there is a good reason to place emphasis on fest in Oktoberfest as equities are again trending higher just as they were this time last year. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5625 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5625 Mon, 18 Oct 2010 11:39:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5628 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5628 Fri, 15 Oct 2010 12:47:00 GMT The name for this article is due to a losing trade which a student emailed me to analyze. She knew that she was losing money on it yet when she was assigned almost two full weeks before expiry, she needed some explanation. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5621 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5621 Thu, 14 Oct 2010 09:16:00 GMT To continue on my article from last week, I wanted to demonstrate how I use Triple Screen trading to enter into a trade. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5605 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5605 Wed, 13 Oct 2010 10:28:00 GMT I have found over the years is that simply questioning anything conventional often exposes a flaw and most importantly, opens the door of opportunity so many search for but never find. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5595 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5595 Wed, 13 Oct 2010 12:49:00 GMT The implied correlation indices measure the correlation between the implied volatility of long-term S and P 500 index options and the implied volatilities of long-term options for the top 50 individual stocks in the index. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5598 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5598 Mon, 11 Oct 2010 09:58:00 GMT After clearing the 1150 resistance level and with no further significant technical resistance the S and P 500 Index now looks like it will make a run at 1219.80, the previous April 26 high http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5574 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5574 Mon, 11 Oct 2010 11:08:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5575 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5575 Thu, 7 Oct 2010 13:14:00 GMT When we trade, it is all too easy to get caught up in the moment. This is especially true for higher speed intraday traders. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5559 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5559 Wed, 6 Oct 2010 09:31:00 GMT If you know where the real buyers and sellers are in a market, does anything else really matter? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5544 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5544 Tue, 5 Oct 2010 10:31:00 GMT Recently, I was teaching an option class in Overland Park, Kansas, and we were looking at placing a short vertical (Bear Call) on JPM. We noticed that the underlying did not trade over 42 for awhile, hence, we selected the 42 zone as the correct place to sell the short call. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5534 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5534 Tue, 5 Oct 2010 14:11:00 GMT I don and t think many traders follow the CBOE and s implied correlation index, but lately it and s been on the rise. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5536 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5536 Mon, 4 Oct 2010 09:33:00 GMT Since the S and P 500 Index along with some other important indices made key reversals on Thursday, one way to manage positions is by hedging longs until the current resistance area is clearly exceeded to the upside. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5521 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5521 Mon, 4 Oct 2010 09:55:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5523 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5523 Thu, 30 Sep 2010 09:05:00 GMT Most traders believe that bonds are a direct substitute for stocks and are used as a flight to safety in times of trouble. That is partially true. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5505 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5505 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 14:08:00 GMT To buy low, someone needs be convinced that whatever you and re buying is worth selling at that price. Conversely, when you sell high, someone needs to be convinced that what you are selling is worth buying at that high price. The one who ends up on the right side of that equation and ends up consistently profitable is the one who can decipher "code" and understand the reality of the situation. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5499 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5499 Tue, 28 Sep 2010 11:44:00 GMT If you and re trading a strategy with a long-term record of solid performance and a steadily rising equity curve, a great time to increase your exposure to that strategy is after the strategy has suffered a losing period. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5484 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5484 Mon, 27 Sep 2010 10:53:00 GMT While similar in concept to a pair of aces, the pairs we are thinking about come from arbitrage strategies and the practice of matching a long position with a short position in two stocks in the same sector. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5474 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5474 Mon, 27 Sep 2010 13:37:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5479 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5479 Wed, 22 Sep 2010 10:15:00 GMT The average investor needs to start "thinking the markets" like Wall Street does. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5440 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5440 Tue, 21 Sep 2010 10:45:00 GMT Charts, volatilities, and more..... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5430 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5430 Mon, 20 Sep 2010 09:36:00 GMT A review of last week and s market and a preview of the coming week from a volatility perspective. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5415 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5415 Mon, 20 Sep 2010 11:08:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5418 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5418 Thu, 16 Sep 2010 09:40:00 GMT Trading strategies that work don and t change with time, markets, or changing market conditions. Quite frankly, to think market conditions ever change at all is a strong illusion that can only be removed when one focuses on the foundation of price movement, pure supply and demand. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5395 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5395 Wed, 15 Sep 2010 09:41:00 GMT With all the advances in technology, order execution, and strategy back-testing, it is easy to complicate the simplicity of markets. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5385 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5385 Wed, 15 Sep 2010 11:33:00 GMT As a trading instructor, I sometimes catch myself muttering in my sleep, "Make sure you set your stop on that trade!" Ok, so I may not actually do that. But I am saying it constantly in the classes I teach. It is the main thing we as traders can do to help prevent catastrophic losses in our accounts. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5386 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5386 Tue, 14 Sep 2010 10:17:00 GMT Regardless of your view on the movement of a stock, you can have theta working for you or against you. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5373 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5373 Tue, 14 Sep 2010 11:15:00 GMT In this post, I address the question of huge swings in the implied volatility on an individual stock. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5374 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5374 Mon, 13 Sep 2010 09:08:00 GMT Once again, we turn our focus to takeover activity in those companies with listed options. We review four deals that have already been announced and three that are still in the rumor stage. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5363 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5363 Mon, 13 Sep 2010 11:13:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5366 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5366 Mon, 13 Sep 2010 12:39:00 GMT New traders often become confused when deciding what tools to use in order to analyze the markets and select trading opportunities. Looking at the selections available as well as the tools offered in today and s advanced trading software, it is easy for one to become overwhelmed. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5367 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5367 Fri, 10 Sep 2010 10:08:00 GMT A successful trader and s path must be reality-based, not driven by illusion. The reality is that markets are nothing more than pure supply and demand at work; human beings reacting to the ongoing supply/demand relationship within a given market. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5355 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5355 Fri, 10 Sep 2010 10:15:00 GMT Starting Thursday the quarterly roll over from September to December begins: December is now "top step." At this time volume is split between the current contract of September and the new contract of December; thus trading volume, and most likely volatility, will continue to deteriorate until at least next Tuesday. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5356 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5356 Thu, 9 Sep 2010 10:10:00 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. The objective and mechanical rules for consistent low risk profits are very simple, yet the layers of illusions keep most from ever seeing what is real in trading and investing. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5341 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5341 Wed, 8 Sep 2010 06:24:00 GMT Traders have been increasingly eager to speculate on the future direction of interest rates. The volatility implied by options on 2-, 5-, 10-, and 30-year Treasury notes and bonds has lifted the Merrill Lynch MOVE Index above 110. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5328 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5328 Tue, 7 Sep 2010 11:05:00 GMT Here at the end of the low-volume trading season it is time to update the working Head and Shoulders Top pattern first outlined in August. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5317 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5317 Tue, 7 Sep 2010 12:32:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5320 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5320 Fri, 3 Sep 2010 13:02:00 GMT This is generally viewed as a contrarian indicator. More calls being traded is often viewed as a short-term bearish signal, while more puts being traded may indicate short-term market bottoms. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5313 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5313 Wed, 1 Sep 2010 13:46:00 GMT Stocks that participate in the same trend direction as the broad market will move further and faster in their trend. Those which are moving in a trend that is counter to the market will have difficulty moving large distances and therefore, usually offer less profit potential http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5292 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5292 Mon, 30 Aug 2010 09:13:00 GMT Contrary to what some may assume, an Outside Range Day is not a day at the driving range, but a technical analysis pattern described as when the price makes a high that is higher and the low that is lower than previous day. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5272 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5272 Mon, 30 Aug 2010 11:10:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5275 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5275 Thu, 26 Aug 2010 08:19:00 GMT Last week, I responded to the claim that technical analysis was akin to reading tea leaves and held no place in proper financial analysis. Anyone who has used technical analysis knows the value of it in order to identify the most probable direction and timing of market moves. In the same spirit, I do not want to downplay the usefulness of fundamental analysis either. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5252 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5252 Wed, 25 Aug 2010 08:11:00 GMT So often in the trading world, I hear people talk about where price is likely to turn next, where is the next key supply or demand level, where is the next big market move going to originate from, and so on. The question I hardly ever hear anyone asking is, "Where is the next big profit margin?" http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5241 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5241 Wed, 25 Aug 2010 09:41:00 GMT How the time of day impacts your trading. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5244 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5244 Mon, 23 Aug 2010 12:35:00 GMT The unusual number of announced M and A deals last week, coming right in the middle of the traditional summer vacation prompted one investment banker to say in a television interview that his "black car indicator" had risen to an all time high for August. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5222 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5222 Mon, 23 Aug 2010 12:45:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5223 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5223 Fri, 20 Aug 2010 10:18:00 GMT Practice, practice, practice http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5216 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5216 Tue, 17 Aug 2010 08:51:00 GMT Hardly a week goes by that I don and t get an invitation to sit in on a webinar to learn to trade without stops. The invitation comes with warnings of the unnecessary losses traders suffer by using stops. Friends, nothing could be further from the truth. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5181 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5181 Tue, 17 Aug 2010 08:56:00 GMT On August 4, Reuters reported that Warren Buffett could "get in a bind" over options because of new provisions in the Dodd-Frank financial reform bill. Over the past few years, Buffett and s Berkshire Hathaway (BRK/B) has sold options for various worldwide stock indices worth billions of dollars without posting collateral. Does the Dodd-Frank bill now require the company to post collateral? Berkshire doesn and t believe so http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5182 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5182 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 11:05:00 GMT From a technical analysis perspective, the most important event occurred last Wednesday when the S and P 500 Index declined and then closed below the lower boundary of the potential rising wedge, thus setting off this bearish pattern. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5173 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5173 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 11:30:00 GMT The US Department of Education is in the process of changing the funding rules for these companies by requiring them to demonstrate that they are preparing students for actual jobs that give them the chance to replay the borrowed money. In this sector there are several stocks breaking down below their previous support levels. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5174 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5174 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 12:17:00 GMT The world where we humans live has always been and will always be a turbulent one. Life progresses smoothly for a while, and then unexpectedly, it can change. Success becomes failure, and sometimes failure can turn into a catastrophic loss. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5175 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5175 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 13:21:00 GMT Humans have many biases that are for the most part out of awareness; but biases are not inherently negative. There are many biases that can serve you; for instance, having a bias that looking at multiple time frames is supportive to having a sufficient amount of information. However, biases are often limiting in nature and therefore, become limiting beliefs http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5176 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5176 Thu, 12 Aug 2010 09:20:00 GMT Trading psychology is a subject most books and so-called professionals keep separate from the mechanics and strategies of trading and investing. A reality largely misunderstood is that the underlying mechanics and strategies within trading and investing are a direct function of your psychological belief system. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5154 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5154 Thu, 12 Aug 2010 11:14:00 GMT Of the many strategies used by traders, the breakout setup is one of the most popular. There are many interpretations of this tactic, and therein lies some of the confusion. In this piece, I and ll go over some of the higher probability, or as I call them, "quality breakout trades," that come from many years of observation, as well as the many traps associated with this setup. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5156 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5156 Thu, 12 Aug 2010 13:10:00 GMT Although calls and puts are not insurance products per se, they can be used to protect or hedge an investment, much like insurance policies protect an asset. Brad Zigler of HardAssetsInvestors posted an article on the "price of gold insurance" as measured by the options market. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5159 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5159 Wed, 11 Aug 2010 09:22:00 GMT Trading psychology is a subject most books and so-called professionals keep separate from the mechanics and strategies of trading and investing. A reality largely misunderstood is that the underlying mechanics and strategies within trading and investing are a direct function of your psychological belief system. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5141 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5141 Mon, 9 Aug 2010 09:58:00 GMT After several weeks of "risk on" followed by "risk off" perhaps, it is time to begin looking for the possibility of a developing trading range. In this post, we review the technical condition of the equity market and update our indicators followed by a strategy suggestion considering the development of a trading range. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5120 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5120 Mon, 9 Aug 2010 11:19:00 GMT In addition to the VIX futures premium at 21.12, which is worthy of some new hedging positions, we suggest considering the possibility that a trading range is developing. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5122 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5122 Fri, 6 Aug 2010 11:35:00 GMT According to the old adage, a fool and his money are quickly parted. In today and s world, acting like a fool is a sure-fire way to lose all of your money. In this article I and ve outlined 3 ways to avoid. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5111 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5111 Fri, 6 Aug 2010 11:47:00 GMT When you have a profitable position in a stock you bought, you can often lock in most of those profits, while still taking advantage of further upside price movement. How? Simply replace your stock with a call option http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5112 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5112 Thu, 5 Aug 2010 14:44:00 GMT Each day the market defines a Market Profile (MP), a Value Area (VA) and a Point of Control (POC) all of which are invaluable trading the following day. Similar market derived data over longer time frames is also of great value to day traders and other time frame (OTF) traders. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5104 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5104 Tue, 3 Aug 2010 10:10:00 GMT It seems as if the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) is making weekly changes to its new "Weeklys" options. These are short-term options that are listed each week and that expire in about 7 days. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5075 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5075 Mon, 2 Aug 2010 10:14:00 GMT For strategies that include a component of being short premium, the maximum potential total profit or loss is only achieved at expiration. This effect is easily seen in the case of vertical spreads which only reach their maximum potential gain or loss at expiration or when the spread goes deep in-the-money or out-of-the-money. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5067 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5067 Thu, 29 Jul 2010 08:12:00 GMT As an options expiration day arrives, traders note that stocks sometimes get "pinned" to a specific strike price. But now that every week is an expiration week for a select group of stocks and ETFs, will we see this phenomenon every Friday? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5046 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5046 Wed, 28 Jul 2010 12:27:00 GMT This title assumes a great deal. It assumes that as a trader you are already profitable and that markets are not ordinarily scary. If you can identify with these assumptions, then you have come a long way in your development as a successful trader. In as much as 95% of traders fail in their attempt to become successful trader. I suggest I back up a bit and address this to those who would be amongst that 5% who are consistent winners in this zero sum game we call day trading. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5039 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5039 Mon, 26 Jul 2010 09:48:00 GMT Once again, the pendulum swung back to the "risk on" position despite the uncertainties created by the unresolved macro debate over deficit cutting or more stimulus and coming changes to the financial system from "Fin Reg". http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5010 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5010 Mon, 26 Jul 2010 10:07:00 GMT People are excited about tail risk. On the institutional side, banks and asset managers are packaging up complex, multi-asset hedging products and selling them to pension funds, endowments, and other natural longs. On the retail side, Barclays and others are getting great traction with products like VXX, VXZ, VXX options and now XXV. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5011 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5011 Mon, 26 Jul 2010 10:37:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5012 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5012 Fri, 23 Jul 2010 10:14:00 GMT Do traders expect more volatility in the longer term than they do in the short term? The one-month volatility (VIX) is almost always lower than the (three-month volatility (VXV), but sometimes it soars higher. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5005 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=5005 Mon, 19 Jul 2010 11:02:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4959 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4959 Mon, 19 Jul 2010 11:00:00 GMT For the expected downside, or to hedge existing long positions, we think an interesting idea is to employ debit bear put spreads and credit call spreads. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4960 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4960 Fri, 16 Jul 2010 15:22:00 GMT In theory, a more volatile market in the next 30 days would justify higher options prices today, but does the VIX usually get it right in practice? Does today and s VIX have any correlation with actual volatility over the next 30 days? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4954 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4954 Thu, 15 Jul 2010 19:25:00 GMT From "Risk Off" last week it was "Risk On" once again with an oversold rally taking the S and P 500 Index 5.4% higher. Now traders and investors want to know if the bottom has been made, or should we expect to see lower lows? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4934 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4934 Thu, 15 Jul 2010 19:30:00 GMT After a substantial rally that took the index past the overhead resistance at 1040.78 look for a minor trend change indicator for clues that this run could be about over. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4935 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4935 Thu, 15 Jul 2010 12:07:00 GMT I and rsquo;m not that enthusiastic about the benefits of managed futures, at least in their current form. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4940 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4940 Mon, 12 Jul 2010 11:28:00 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/TradingTechnology/?id=4909 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4909 Mon, 12 Jul 2010 13:23:00 GMT The trend is your friend - until it ends. How can you determine when a change in trend is likely? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4911 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4911 Thu, 8 Jul 2010 09:54:00 GMT Equity investors who want a broad-based hedge have essentially three vehicles from which to choose: equity index options (SPY, SPX, ES, etc.), VIX futures (or their ETF permutations), and VIX options. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4890 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4890 Tue, 6 Jul 2010 07:01:00 GMT The markets appear bewildered switching back and forth from "risk on" to "risk off" as if there is nothing in between. Now equities are in the risk off position as they accelerated to the downside creating a dramatic change in the technical condition. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4866 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4866 Tue, 6 Jul 2010 07:17:00 GMT Now the best plan is conditioned on the behavior of the SPX in the next few days. If a solid oversold rally develops then we suggest long call spread positions with defined risk in the previous strong sectors. Here are a few ideas. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4867 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4867 Mon, 28 Jun 2010 12:36:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4827 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4827 Mon, 28 Jun 2010 12:43:00 GMT The apathetic response to numerous fundamental developments last week could partly be attributed to seasonality, but a more likely explanation is the lack of clear vision for the global economy. Slower economic growth in the US and the many announced cuts in government spending in Europe are rekindling the inflation vs. deflation debate once again and creating hesitation. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4828 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4828 Fri, 25 Jun 2010 10:59:00 GMT The initial months of this year have been characterized by a low implied volatility (IV) environment in virtually all underlying securities. This milieu ended suddenly and abruptly on the recent "flash crash" and IV generally remains significantly elevated above its recent nadir. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4816 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4816 Tue, 22 Jun 2010 11:17:00 GMT In Roman mythology the god of beginnings and endings, Janus, is typically portrayed having two heads, each facing in opposite directions. His countenances are displayed in this manner so that he can observe the past as well as the future. The two types of option volatility, historical volatility and implied volatility, also reflect this dual perspective. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4784 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4784 Mon, 21 Jun 2010 10:27:00 GMT The S and P 500 Index broke out above the upper trendline defining the falling wedge technical pattern. Since the volume on the breakout appears to have been not as high as required for a valid breakout we are suspicious that it can meet its measuring objective above the April high. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4772 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4772 Mon, 21 Jun 2010 11:06:00 GMT Expecting an upside bias we set up our RT Spread Scanner and found some possible suggestions in the oil and gas sector that we are now calling event related due to the supply uncertainty from the problems in the Gulf of Mexico. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4773 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4773 Tue, 15 Jun 2010 07:08:00 GMT The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) continues to make news. With the VIX hitting its one year high last month, it continues to buoy near 2010 highs. There is no shortage of media coverage on the VIX either, which may be prompting investors to try to profit off of it. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4731 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4731 Tue, 15 Jun 2010 08:49:00 GMT This oil spill is like a vortex. Ruins everything it touches. Coastline, jobs and companies, you name it. Like the spill itself, it casts a dark shadow over the market. What the spill is doing is affecting market sentiment and not in a good way. We can now actually measure market sentiment and create a number from it and combine that number with other market data. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4733 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4733 Mon, 14 Jun 2010 11:40:00 GMT Last Tuesdays and news that the Swiss National Bank and s foreign currency reserves increased 80% in May resulting from the sale of Swiss francs and investing in Eurobonds, at a rate that appears to have exceed that of the European Central Bank, helped turn the tide of the very oversold euro. The result, a somewhat stronger euro also boosted equities and the economically sensitive commodities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4723 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4723 Thu, 10 Jun 2010 12:30:00 GMT VIX skew can be a good indicator of the future. It can also fail in that regard. In actuality the VIX skew is just the sum of expectations for the future. And expectations of the market can be right or wrong. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4707 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4707 Mon, 7 Jun 2010 14:10:00 GMT To find a week with a comparable litany of bad news we need to go all the way back to the week ending September 22, 2008, a week that included the Lehman Brothers Chapter 11 petition of Bankruptcy and then after reducing their credit lines, Bank of America announced it would buy Merrill Lynch. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4676 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4676 Mon, 7 Jun 2010 15:00:00 GMT Direct from the Options Data Analysis and the Rankers and Scanners sections of IVolatility.com present the Best Calendar Spread based upon a differential between the implied volatility of the near term call compared to the implied volatility of the deferred month call. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4677 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4677 Wed, 2 Jun 2010 09:31:00 GMT Although European sovereign debt still occupies a large portion of the financial news space there is little doubt that the crude oil bellowing up from the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico is about to take top billing on the list of economic concerns. Like the inverse of decaying option time premium, every day the rupture spews more crude oil, the risk of permanent supply disruption due to political exasperation increases exponentially. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4638 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4638 Wed, 2 Jun 2010 09:29:00 GMT The updated weekly chart of the S and P 500 Index shows both a developing falling wedge outlined in green and the location of a potential right shoulder (RS) of a possible developing Head and Shoulders Top. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4639 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4639 Tue, 1 Jun 2010 09:58:00 GMT Volatility, one of the darlings of the options marketplace, has been all over the map this year. If you look at a sample of headlines from the first five months of 2010, you might think that either the market cannot make up its mind, or volatility has multiple, competing personalities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4625 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4625 Wed, 26 May 2010 14:58:00 GMT In the recent weeks of market volatility, the hyper focus has been on global economies. In the short-term what and s going to happen with Europe and the Euro Zone? Is the US immune? Is the "jobless" recovery going to sputter? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4603 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4603 Tue, 25 May 2010 12:10:00 GMT Over the last few weeks traders have experienced a sea change in the volatility environment of the market; we have gone from a milieu in which implied volatility (IV) was low and was perhaps establishing a new long term reality to the current state of accelerating IV in a wide range of underlyings. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4590 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4590 Mon, 24 May 2010 08:04:00 GMT When the markets swoon, traders are making people pay (volatility premiums go up as they should in these conditions) and buyers are hitting the exits. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4573 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4573 Mon, 24 May 2010 08:59:00 GMT Last week and s flight to the safety of the dollar, the yen, and US Treasuries was a driven by more than just the comments of Germany and s Finance Minister. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4575 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4575 Mon, 24 May 2010 09:17:00 GMT Although the relative strength of the iShares Russell 2000 Index (IWM) over the SPDR S and P 500 Index (SPY) has diminished recently it still has the advantage for upside moves. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4576 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4576 Mon, 17 May 2010 09:51:00 GMT The SPX is now in the process of making a consolidation pattern in the form of a right triangle or perhaps a rising wedge during which implied volatility is likely to remain high. For those who want to trade the swings it appears a leg down to reversal point 3 is now underway. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4528 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4528 Mon, 17 May 2010 10:14:00 GMT Since our last market review, the character of the equity market has abruptly changed from a likely correction of the major uptrend to something of greater concern for the bulls. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4529 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4529 Mon, 17 May 2010 10:24:00 GMT In our May 3rd post, we began exploring the concept of having an edge, or advantage and its importance in trading. Today and s post looks at the edge from the options perspective. Many people are familiar with the leverage advantage of options however, some are not familiar with the disadvantages including time decay and how changing volatility influences options values. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4530 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4530 Mon, 17 May 2010 10:38:00 GMT The Euro shivers still resonate. No doubt. Usually for a day or two lately but they are very real and drive our equity and volatility markets to hair raising swings. The stock market does not seem to care about fundamentals or earnings anymore. Does any of the recent volatility moves make anything standout as a possible opportunity? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4531 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4531 Thu, 13 May 2010 10:44:00 GMT "May you live in interesting times" is an ancient Chinese curse. The fact that the last week has seen neck snapping and unprecedented changes in volatility, I think we qualify for living in what these philosophers would consider to be interesting times. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4510 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4510 Mon, 10 May 2010 11:29:00 GMT What happens to stock markets, which are now dominated by mathematical algorithms (algos), when they are all programmed to do the same thing? The likely answer is - no bids. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4477 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4477 Mon, 10 May 2010 11:45:00 GMT For those who may be looking for long ideas after the sell off here is a relative strength idea from the Options Data Analysis and Rankers and Scanners sections of Ivolatility. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4478 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4478 Mon, 3 May 2010 12:45:00 GMT Generally, there are two categories for the word edge; one describes a physical characteristic or location, such as a sharp edge or the edge of the cliff or canyon as shown above while the other is an analogy for advantage, such as having an edge or getting an edge. In this Digest, we explore both. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4425 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4425 Mon, 3 May 2010 13:05:00 GMT A look at market activity from a volatility perspective http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4428 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4428 Mon, 3 May 2010 13:29:00 GMT That catchy line from the movie seems to describe the change in action last week. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4429 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4429 Mon, 26 Apr 2010 11:09:00 GMT Heavily indebted Greece formally asked for help from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4381 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4381 Mon, 26 Apr 2010 12:11:00 GMT Many quarterly earnings reports are now coming every day and so far, most have beaten expectations. Instead of trying to guess which companies will beat, our approach to earnings is to look for prospective volatility opportunities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4382 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4382 Fri, 23 Apr 2010 11:57:00 GMT The news has been bad for GS in the short term and the system will take its course. In the meantime, let and s analyze the news since last Friday and see how that has effected option volatility for GS. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4373 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4373 Mon, 19 Apr 2010 14:59:00 GMT The Greek Debt Crisis seems to be spilling over to the quality end of the corporate credit risk markets. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4336 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4336 Mon, 19 Apr 2010 13:52:00 GMT The 2Gs - Goldman and Greece – it took both, but finally the retest of the S and P 500 Index breakout above 1150, has started. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4338 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4338 Mon, 19 Apr 2010 13:57:00 GMT Up until Goldman joined Greece on Friday, SPX was continuing higher with only the slightest indication of retesting support at the breakout high of 1150.45. Now all of that has changed. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4339 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4339 Tue, 13 Apr 2010 11:02:00 GMT The hangover of the Credit Crunch is alive and well with the market making highs for the year. Does the VIX look likely to continue moving down? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4299 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4299 Tue, 13 Apr 2010 08:33:00 GMT Ideas on using increasing implied volatility and a high IV/HV ratio http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4300 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4300 Tue, 13 Apr 2010 08:35:00 GMT Last week and s news was dominated by Greece. Again. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4301 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4301 Mon, 5 Apr 2010 09:59:00 GMT Is a merger in Lihir Gold and s future? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4236 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4236 Mon, 5 Apr 2010 10:06:00 GMT A roundup of recent market activity, with a volatility slant http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4237 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4237 Mon, 29 Mar 2010 09:15:00 GMT After a long absence, there was some evidence last week that the "Bond Market Vigilantes" are indeed alive and once again expressing their anxiety and displeasure with the endless supply of sovereign debt offered, including US Treasury Bonds. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4195 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4195 Mon, 29 Mar 2010 09:30:00 GMT While waiting for the S and P 500 Index to complete a retest of the breakout there are some special situations worth considering. As the second quarter earnings reports begin, volatility is likely to begin increasing. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4196 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4196 Tue, 23 Mar 2010 23:25:00 GMT Now near the end of March 2010, with the help of modern day media, we are watching a modern day version of a Greek tragedy being played out as protests in the streets of Athens. Without the benefit of classic currency devaluation, it is hard to imagine a tranquil conclusion to this tragedy. We begin with a review of the markets followed by strategy comments and another hedging suggestion. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4150 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4150 Tue, 23 Mar 2010 00:08:00 GMT Volatility Trading Strategies for DJI, FTSE, CL, ENP, CVX, MRO, FXE, IWM, SPX. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4152 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4152 Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:24:00 GMT Live from the FIA Expo, Mark sits down with Scot Warren, MD of Equity Products and Index Services at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Scot dispels a number of rumors surrounding the CME and s recent volatility licensing deal with the CBOE. Will we see VIX options and futures trading on the CME in the near future? Mark and Scot also explore the reasoning behind the CME and s acquisition of the Dow Jones family of index products. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4132 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=4132 Mon, 8 Feb 2010 11:51:00 GMT Volatility Tracking Report for February 8, 2010: Long Gamma Pays Off http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3871 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3871 Thu, 4 Feb 2010 08:32:00 GMT Rounding up the last part of Adam Sussman and s presentation with a look at various market insiders and opinions of HFT, and which asset classes are traded in this space. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3859 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3859 Wed, 3 Feb 2010 18:36:00 GMT The first installment in a series covering the Buy-Side Tech High Frequency Trading Forum. Part one covers Adam Sussman and s presentation "High Frequency Trading: Understanding the Participants and Their Roles in the Market" http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3850 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3850 Tue, 2 Feb 2010 07:29:00 GMT Second installment of Adam Sussman and s presentation "High Frequency Trading: Understanding the Participants and Their Roles in the Market," featuring detail of institutional asset holdings and comparing those assets to average daily volume. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3852 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3852 Mon, 1 Feb 2010 23:36:00 GMT If you hold a position larger than a specified threshold in a futures or options contract that is regulated by the CFTC, your clearing firm must report it and classify your position as either commercial or non-commercial. Futures traders have been tracking these reports for years, but I and m not aware of any studies that analyze the history of VIX futures commitments... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3821 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3821 Mon, 1 Feb 2010 13:28:00 GMT Weekly Volatility Tracker http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3824 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3824 Wed, 20 Jan 2010 23:14:00 GMT Last week, I noted the very wide spread between short-term realized and implied volatilities. Although the selloff on Friday alleviated conditions slightly, [5] the spread is still large enough that traders inclined to be net sellers of options need not fear occasional daily increases in realized volatility. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3748 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3748 Tue, 5 Jan 2010 14:23:00 GMT The best market tools are the ones that give you information instantly that actually can point you in the right direction http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6155 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6155 Sun, 3 Jan 2010 14:39:00 GMT Trade selection using volatility as the primary criteria. Different trades for different situations. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6137 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=6137 Wed, 23 Dec 2009 22:45:00 GMT Often in my option classes I ask the students a question that only on the surface appears to be tricky: "What comes first, the price action on the chart or the print?" Most of the time, the students give me that puzzled look which tells me that most likely they are somewhat confused, yet as the discussion commences, the perplexity becomes more noticeable. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3633 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3633 Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:13:00 GMT Basically, in this article I will share with the readers an option/choice that a trader could have selected instead of going along with his broker and s advice of selling a naked straddle. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3616 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3616 Fri, 18 Dec 2009 23:55:00 GMT The Powershares Nasdaq 100 Trust (QQQQ) is a highly liquid, very popular ETF with actively traded options. But for traders who want to implement an options strategy on the Nasdaq 100 with any precision, QQQQ may not be the optimal product... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3607 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3607 Thu, 17 Dec 2009 22:38:00 GMT A Q and A regarding the upcoming Options Symbology Initiative and its impact on trading firms. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3599 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3599 Tue, 15 Dec 2009 23:04:00 GMT This is the first of a couple of articles on the topic of how any painful trade can hold a valuable lesson... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3586 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3586 Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:33:00 GMT My sense of the markets at this juncture is that elevated implied correlations are truthful, even oracular, with too-high index implied volatility representing not so much the jump risk with which the VIX is usually associated as the unwelcome prospect of individual equities tracking each other too closely. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3578 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3578 Thu, 10 Dec 2009 22:41:00 GMT The jump in volatility indexes noted in our previous report was met with a similar decline last week. The VIX could easily make a new 52-week low before 2009 is through. Gold implied volatility advanced sharply on Friday and s price decline, with GVZ closing just shy of my 30% short-term target. The shift in the volatility skew in gold deserves attention: if traders continue to pay higher premiums for downside protection this week, that should be confirmation that the parabolic run in gold is over for the moment. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3563 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3563 Tue, 1 Dec 2009 13:58:00 GMT When equity index options consistently price in moves of more than 1.5% on two-thirds of trading days, Friday and s trading range should not be a surprise, even if you believe equity volatility is significantly and consistently overpriced. We wouldn and t expect longer-dated volatility futures contracts to move noticeably on last week and s news, but even the December VIX contract only lifted slightly. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3525 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3525 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 01:17:00 GMT There really isn and t an easy or obvious way for an investor to be highly risk-averse in this market, not when one of the biggest tail risks that people want to protect themselves against is inflation. Big investors can try taking the Taleb approach of buying large numbers of out-of-the-money options and reckoning that a bunch of them will pay off when the next crisis hits, but that and s not a strategy available to most of us... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3514 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3514 Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:48:00 GMT Weekly Options Volatility Tracking Report: No Surprises In Gold http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3507 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3507 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:30:00 GMT Equity index options are about as evenly priced as they and ve been in some time, but another continuation of the intermediate-term rally would mean more disappointment for option buyers, especially those who entered new positions in early November... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3476 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3476 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:25:00 GMT People seem to be about as loss-averse empirically as they are expected to be based on smaller studies. One reason this feature of human psychology is so important is that it is one probable cause of the persistence of the variance/volatility risk premium.. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3469 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3469 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:13:00 GMT I wondered last week whether we would see a return to the reflation rally or were entering a new regime dominated by mean reversion. The price action last week counts in favor of both, as we reverted to the closing highs of the prior week; I expect a more definitive answer by November options expiration... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3437 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3437 Tue, 3 Nov 2009 20:16:00 GMT Does the VIX actually measure fear? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3392 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3392 Mon, 2 Nov 2009 12:36:00 GMT Weekly Options Volatility Tracker Report http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3386 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3386 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:23:00 GMT VIX: Fact Or Fiction http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3377 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3377 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:24:00 GMT As I and ve noted on many occasions, the relationship between spot VIX and longer-dated VIX estimates has not "worked" as a directional indicator for at least several months. This looks like a genuine puzzle: the premium VIX futures traders are willing to pay and/or requiring in order to sell is too steep and has been too persistent to be dismissed as a phenomenon typical of the "wall of worry" that bull markets proverbially climb... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3345 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3345 Thu, 15 Oct 2009 22:52:00 GMT In my last article, I explained the reasons for entering into a bearish trade. I also provided a possible repair for a vertical spread by turning it from a bearish trade into a bullish one. However, here in this article, I will expand on what really happened to that particular vertical trade described in the previous article. I will present the scenario in greater detail which involved exiting for a profit after being in the trade for only a few days. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3266 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3266 Wed, 7 Oct 2009 23:20:00 GMT Is it possible to have a nearly perfect setup for an Iron Condor but not the right premium in the underlying to actually place it? Yes. Here is the what and how of it... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3215 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3215 Thu, 1 Oct 2009 22:38:00 GMT This article looks like a new attempt at establishing an old (but important) thesis, namely that there is a persistent volatility risk premium in options on equity index products (futures, ETFs, etc.). Most studies have attempted to define this premium in terms of option selling, and this is the first I can recall that looks at the negative returns from straddle purchases as additional evidence. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3174 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3174 Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:15:00 GMT The Options Volatility Tracker Report for the week of 9/28.... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3157 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3157 Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:57:00 GMT A weekly breakdown of the volatility in gold, silver, equities, and oil... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3108 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3108 Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:40:00 GMT A new study examines the impact of VIX options and futures on the overall volatility of the S and P 500.... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3041 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3041 Wed, 9 Sep 2009 22:45:00 GMT If you missed it in Las Vegas last month, now you can catch a streamlined version Mark Longo and s Top 5 Mistakes of Options Traders webinar. The webinar will be streamed live online at 11am Central on Weds 9/9. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3024 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3024 Tue, 8 Sep 2009 23:51:00 GMT Many novice traders approach their option trading unsuccessfully due to their sole focus on a single dimension - price. With options, the price could move in the anticipated direction and the option premium could lose value due to time (second dimension) decay, due to change in the I.V. (the third dimension), or due to the combination of both time and I.V... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3015 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=3015 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:54:00 GMT Examining vertical volatility skew and strategic strike selection... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=2966 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=2966 Fri, 28 Aug 2009 23:55:00 GMT Successful option traders use volatility to their advantage on every single trade. While most seasoned option traders perform an implied historical volatility analysis, some traders don and t go quite far enough. For a complete volatility study, traders must also look at the volatility skew... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=2957 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=2957 Mon, 10 Aug 2009 17:33:00 GMT Today and s choppy session was somewhat expected with renewed interest in "safety trades"... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=2851 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=2851 Tue, 4 Aug 2009 01:10:00 GMT Options Insider Founder Mark Longo will host an educational seminar on Tuesday 8/4 at 4:30pm (PST). The seminar is entitled "The Top 5 Mistakes of Options Traders (and how to avoid them). Options Insider users should follow the included link to watch the seminar... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=2807 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=2807 Mon, 27 Jul 2009 23:03:00 GMT In one of my previous newsletters, I addressed the issue of the intrinsic value of option premium as well as the extrinsic (Time) component of it. However, no matter how obvious and self-evident those concepts appear to me, to my students, they seem to be extremely confusing... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=2754 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=2754 Fri, 24 Jul 2009 00:42:00 GMT In one of my previous newsletters, I addressed the issue of the intrinsic value of option premium as well as the extrinsic (Time) component of it. However, no matter how obvious and self-evident those concepts appear to me, to my students, they seem to be extremely confusing... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=2745 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=2745 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:55:00 GMT After the publication of my previous article, I have received some emails from our readers asking for a specific example. Some even said that the article was incomplete without the example, for I have provided the readers only with a template for an I.C. At any rate, I will oblige the readers and request, as I usually do, and present a current I.C. trade that I am in... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=2619 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=2619 Fri, 22 May 2009 16:35:00 GMT In this episode, Mark is joined by Peter Hauser, President of Sungard and s Microhedge Business Unit. Mark and Peter explore the reasons behind Microhedge and s continued popularity with options traders. They also examine new upgrades to the software and the rumors of an impending retail version of this long-running analytical platform. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=2381 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=2381 Thu, 21 May 2009 21:36:00 GMT Exclusive OIC 2009 Panel Audio: Exchange Leaders Panel http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=2364 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=2364 Tue, 19 May 2009 23:07:00 GMT Exclusive OIC 2009 Panel Audio: Technology Leaders and Forum (Challenges in Today and s Environment) http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=2349 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=2349 Tue, 14 Apr 2009 23:50:00 GMT In my previous article, I alluded to the importance of trading psychology by discussing two types of trading errors: Decision Making Error and Data Error. Some readers have indicated their desire to learn more about it. In this article, I will dive deeper into the topic of option trading and trading psychology. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=2138 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=2138 Thu, 26 Mar 2009 02:16:00 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 volatility on the options market. In addition, Mark and the hosts devoted an entire segment to the vagaries of volatility skew. Options Insider Radio listeners can find the complete broadcast here... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=2041 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=2041 Tue, 17 Feb 2009 00:42:00 GMT When we decide to pursue trading as a career, the first thing we do is seek out as much market information as possible. We search the wellspring of the web, we read books, and attend seminars. Then, we read some more books and attend more seminars until we acquire so much market information that our problem now becomes information overload. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=1849 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=1849 Tue, 27 Jan 2009 02:32:00 GMT Exploring the relationship between the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), CBOE Russell 2000 Volatility Index (RVX) and CBOE Nasdaq Volatility index (VXN). http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=1766 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=1766 Fri, 12 Dec 2008 00:41:00 GMT I and ve probably mentioned the term volatility in every article I and ve written about options trading. Everyone probably has an intuitive feel as to what volatility means. But how do we define volatility and how do we measure it? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=1602 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=1602 Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:30:00 GMT Today we and re going to examine some characteristics of a very popular option trading strategy known as a straddle. We and re also going to determine the perfect time to reach into your bag of tricks and pull out this killer strategy... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=1505 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=1505 Fri, 7 Nov 2008 01:31:00 GMT In this episode of Trader Interviews, host Tim Bourquin profiles www.TheOptionsInsider.com founder Mark Longo. Tim and Mark discuss the VIX, the election and s impact on the financial market, options strategies for a volatile environment, floor trading vs. screen trading, options products for retail investors and much more... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=1465 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=1465 Wed, 5 Nov 2008 00:27:00 GMT Answers to frequently asked options questions including: how do you trade options profitably in this high volatility environment, why are Iron Condors failing in this market, how does the VIX correlate to the broad market and why does volatility skew reduce profits in upside call positions? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=1452 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=1452 Wed, 15 Oct 2008 15:04:00 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/TradingTechnology/?id=1363 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=1363 Mon, 13 Oct 2008 12:09:00 GMT Everyone seems to think that this level of VIX is the highest ever. But that and s simply not the case... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=1348 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=1348 Tue, 23 Sep 2008 00:26:00 GMT With the current ban on short selling in financial stocks, many options traders may want to consider hedging with single stock futures instead of traditional equities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=1263 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=1263 Mon, 22 Sep 2008 23:52:00 GMT There have been calls for a volatility ETF based on the popular CBOE VIX. However, there are serious questions about how such a product would work and whether it is even a good idea in the first place... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=1256 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=1256 Wed, 3 Sep 2008 00:13:00 GMT Strategies for trading options on expiration day.... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=1165 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=1165 Tue, 2 Sep 2008 01:13:00 GMT Expiration is the time of the month when market makers make some "bonus" money. This bonus comes from public traders who do not know how to properly exit their positions and leave nickels, dimes or more for the market makers. I and m going to tell you how to avoid this little trap... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=1158 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=1158 Thu, 7 Aug 2008 00:34:00 GMT Analyzing the breakeven points of backspreads... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=1052 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=1052 Wed, 6 Aug 2008 00:35:00 GMT One of my favorite types of trades is called the backspread. It and s another one of those trades where you can make money in several different ways... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=1045 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=1045 Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:58:00 GMT The top ten most active options and strikes for 7/24/2008. Includes PowerShares QQQ (QQQQ), Energy Select Sector (XLE), Bank of America (BAC), IShares Russell 2000 Index FD (IWM) and SPDR S and P 500 (SPY). http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=989 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=989 Wed, 23 Jul 2008 01:09:00 GMT In this article we explore the optimal market conditions for trading time spreads... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=978 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=978 Tue, 22 Jul 2008 01:10:00 GMT Exploring how time spreads perform in various market conditions... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=971 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=971 Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:40:00 GMT When dealing with options, almost anything is possible. In fact, options traders often talk in terms of buying and selling time. Unfortunately, they and re probably talking about time premium, and so the search for the fountain of youth must continue! The trading of time premium is typically done using Calendar Spreads (although you will also hear them referred to as Time Spreads or Horizontal Spreads)... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=965 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=965 Fri, 11 Jul 2008 00:14:00 GMT How to trade short straddles and strangles delta neutral. In addition, we also discuss how to expand your straddle and strangle positions into an "Iron Condor." http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=933 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=933 Fri, 11 Jul 2008 15:33:00 GMT We take a look back at the roller coaster week in the CBOE and s Volatility Index (VIX). We also examine interesting activity in VIX options. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=937 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=937 Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:33:00 GMT Straddles and strangles are popular option positions that allow traders to profit regardless of market direction. These positions are usually discussed from the long side, but there is another side to this story - the short side. This article will explore the pros and cons of selling premium by shorting straddles and strangles. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=928 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=928 Wed, 2 Jul 2008 00:49:00 GMT How to construct "costless collars," "diagonal collars" and "bearish collars" using options. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=907 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=907 Tue, 1 Jul 2008 12:03:00 GMT It is well known that you can hedge a stock by either buying a put or by writing a call on it. What is not so well known is that you can combine these two strategies. This long stock + short call + long put combination is known as a "collar"... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=904 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=904 Fri, 27 Jun 2008 11:21:00 GMT The real question is not how to keep a position delta neutral, that and s fairly easy, but rather when to make the adjustments. This is where some art gets mixed in with the science... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=896 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=896 Thu, 26 Jun 2008 11:25:00 GMT Exploring the impact of delta adjustments on delta neutral options positions... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=892 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=892 Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:10:00 GMT The consequence of having a position that is delta neutral is that for small changes in the price of the stock, the total value of the position does not change. Note the emphasis on the word small. In effect, by making a position delta neutral, we have eliminated, or at least reduced, the impact of a change in the value of the stock on the value of the position. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=887 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=887 Mon, 19 May 2008 10:47:00 GMT Are you a volatility trader? Did your long volatility portfolio suffer despite a rally in the VIX? If so, then you may be one of the many options traders that has been fooled by Vega. Read on for a few simple steps to understanding this common, and infuriating, problem... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=801 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=801 Wed, 14 May 2008 11:43:00 GMT Are you a volatility trader? Did your long volatility portfolio suffer despite a rally in the VIX? If so, then you may be one of the many options traders that has been fooled by Vega. Read on for a few simple steps to understanding this common, and infuriating, problem... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=789 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=789 Wed, 16 Apr 2008 09:48:00 GMT Options Update: Occidental Petroleum (OXY) http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=729 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=729 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 13:45:00 GMT Volatility is one of the most important, and also one of the most confusing, concepts in the options market... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=624 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=624 Mon, 21 Jan 2008 14:16:00 GMT In spite of the caveats and analysis in Part Three, there still may be brief periods in which a strongly trending market threatens the success of your positions. This article contains several ways to deal with that scenario... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=537 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=537 Fri, 18 Jan 2008 14:18:00 GMT Even during a strong trend, indexes and equities never go straight down or straight up. They vacillate and bounce and pause and drift. It is this tendency, not the presence or absence of a trend, that makes iron condors profitable. It is the passage of time, not the movement of price, that generates returns. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=532 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=532 Thu, 17 Jan 2008 14:20:00 GMT As we look ahead to 2008, it seems increasingly likely that the U.S. economy is going to fall into a recession. As a result, many options traders are asking whether the iron condor strategy is appropriate for a bear market.... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=528 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=528 Tue, 15 Jan 2008 14:21:00 GMT Will OTC opposition and SEC scrutiny kill the upcoming binary options before they begin? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=526 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=526 Mon, 14 Jan 2008 09:32:00 GMT At-the-money options are too expensive for many retail customers. However, a new class of binary options may finally allow more retail customers to break into the options market... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=523 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=523 Mon, 7 Jan 2008 09:39:00 GMT Should you trade at-the-money, in-the-money or out-of-the-money calls? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=514 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=514 Fri, 4 Jan 2008 09:41:00 GMT Should you buy calls? Many people say you should not, but we beg to differ... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=513 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=513 Fri, 21 Dec 2007 09:43:00 GMT Volatility as an asset class? What is Goldman Sachs thinking...? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=506 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=506 Thu, 20 Dec 2007 09:45:00 GMT Volatility as an asset class? What is Goldman Sachs thinking...? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=503 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=503 Fri, 7 Dec 2007 09:59:00 GMT A covered call portfolio is more complicated to manage than a stock portfolio, but a few simple calculations and basic guidelines can make its management a whole lot simpler. In this article, we show you how to decide when to hold your covered call, when to roll the call and when to close both the stock and the call. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=487 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=487 Thu, 29 Nov 2007 11:39:00 GMT It and s fairly common for people to approach us with questions about the right time to trade iron condors, and one of the most common assumptions they make is that it and s better to trade condors in low volatility, non-trending environments. This is an understandable assumption, but it and s totally false. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=480 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=480 Mon, 19 Nov 2007 11:45:00 GMT Most strategies that options investors use have limited risk, but also limited profit potential... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=468 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=468 Fri, 16 Nov 2007 15:19:00 GMT A covered call portfolio is more complicated to manage than a stock portfolio, but a few simple calculations and basic guidelines can make its management a whole lot simpler. In this article, we show you how to decide when to hold your covered call, when to roll the call and when to close both the stock and the call. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=466 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=466 Thu, 15 Nov 2007 11:49:00 GMT A covered call portfolio is more complicated to manage than a stock portfolio, but a few simple calculations and basic guidelines can make its management a whole lot simpler. In this article, we show you how to decide when to hold your covered call, when to roll the call and when to close both the stock and the call. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=463 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=463 Fri, 5 Oct 2007 10:25:00 GMT Having the discipline to wait for a good trade is so difficult that it can be prohibitive for many options users. There are constant temptations to force a trade or to enter into mediocre trades at bad prices. The most likely result of failing the waiting game is revealed when the real action resumes. When the market starts moving again, you and re suddenly stuck with a trade that is too narrow or too risky for the current market conditions. The end result is a trade that is likely to be a loser. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=407 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=407 Thu, 4 Oct 2007 10:27:00 GMT Whether you are trading iron condors or other positions, overtrading can be a very dangerous thing. So why add to your risk by constantly adjusting your positions? Instead, try legging into an iron condor... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=404 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=404 Wed, 3 Oct 2007 10:28:00 GMT There and s definitely value in planning how your strategy should work in advance of a trade. This planning should be done under a variety of different circumstances so that you aren and t caught off-guard when these unexpected circumstances arise. So let and s look at three aspects of our strategy that relate to these questions of preparation and holistic thinking: trading, overtrading, and waiting... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=402 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=402 Tue, 18 Sep 2007 11:07:00 GMT There is a great deal of confusion among novice options traders regarding the difference between equity options and index options. Despite many efforts to dispel it, the belief that equity and index options are separate animals that perform differently under identical conditions persists. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=382 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=382 Mon, 17 Sep 2007 11:09:00 GMT Sometimes the best way to understand an options position is simply to look at it... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=379 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=379 Fri, 14 Sep 2007 11:10:00 GMT Sometimes the best way to understand an options position is simply to look at it... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=377 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=377 Tue, 11 Sep 2007 11:12:00 GMT Sometimes the best way to understand an options position is simply to look at it... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=373 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=373 Mon, 10 Sep 2007 11:13:00 GMT Sometimes the best way to understand an options position is to simply look at it... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=371 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=371 Fri, 24 Aug 2007 11:18:00 GMT The effect of an increase or decrease in the volatility of the underlying stock may be noticed in the time value portion of the options and premiums. The net effect on the strategy will depend on whether the long and/or short options are in-the-money or out-of-the-money, and the time remaining until expiration. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=353 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=353 Wed, 22 Aug 2007 11:20:00 GMT This strategy offers the stock protection of a put. However, in return for accepting a limited upside profit potential on his underlying shares (to the call and s strike price), the investor writes a call contract. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=350 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=350 Tue, 21 Aug 2007 11:21:00 GMT A collar can be established by holding shares of an underlying stock, purchasing a protective put and writing a covered call on that stock... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=349 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=349 Tue, 7 Aug 2007 11:25:00 GMT Once you and ve decided on an appropriate options strategy, it and s important to stay focused. That might seem obvious, but the fast pace of the options market and the complicated nature of certain transactions make it difficult for some inexperienced investors to stick to their plan... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=332 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=332 Mon, 6 Aug 2007 11:26:00 GMT Before you buy or sell options you need a strategy. Of course, before you choose an options strategy, you need to understand how you want options to work in your portfolio... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=328 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=328 Thu, 2 Aug 2007 11:27:00 GMT "Survival" is possibly the most important aspect of successful trading. Money management and risk management may sound like boring subjects, but they can be exciting once you learn the concrete systems and logic that underlie them. It and s safe to say that, after you read this article, you may never trade the same way again! http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=326 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=326 Mon, 30 Jul 2007 11:28:00 GMT "Survival" is possibly the most important aspect of successful trading. Money management and risk management may sound like boring subjects, but they can be exciting once you learn the concrete systems and logic that underlie them. It and s safe to say that, after you read this article, you may never trade the same way again! http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=320 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=320 Wed, 25 Jul 2007 11:30:00 GMT "Survival" is possibly the most important aspect of successful trading. Money management and risk management may sound like boring subjects, but they can be exciting once you learn the concrete systems and logic that underlie them. It and s safe to say that, after you read this article, you may never trade the same way again! http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=317 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=317 Tue, 24 Jul 2007 10:22:00 GMT "Survival" is possibly the most important aspect of successful trading. Money management and risk management may sound like boring subjects, but they can be exciting once you learn the concrete systems and logic that underlie them. It and s safe to say that, after you read this article, you may never trade the same way again! http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=315 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=315 Mon, 23 Jul 2007 10:24:00 GMT "Survival" is possibly the most important aspect of successful trading. Money management and risk management may sound like boring subjects, but they can be exciting once you learn the concrete systems and logic that underlie them. It and s safe to say that, after you read this article, you may never trade the same way again! http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=313 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=313 Fri, 20 Jul 2007 10:25:00 GMT Options Order Flow Summary http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=312 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=312 Thu, 19 Jul 2007 10:27:00 GMT Establishing a bear put spread involves the purchase of a put option on a particular underlying stock, while simultaneously writing a put option on the same underlying stock with the same expiration month, but with a lower strike price... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=311 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=311 Wed, 18 Jul 2007 10:29:00 GMT Establishing a bear put spread involves the purchase of a put option on a particular underlying stock, while simultaneously writing a put option on the same underlying stock with the same expiration month, but with a lower strike price... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=308 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=308 Wed, 18 Jul 2007 10:28:00 GMT Options Order Flow Summary http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=310 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=310 Tue, 17 Jul 2007 10:31:00 GMT Establishing a bear put spread involves the purchase of a put option on a particular underlying stock, while simultaneously writing a put option on the same underlying stock with the same expiration month, but with a lower strike price... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=305 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=305 Tue, 17 Jul 2007 10:30:00 GMT Options Order Flow Summary http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=307 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=307 Mon, 16 Jul 2007 10:35:00 GMT Not all conventional commodity trading folklore is correct. Most of it is designed to make you feel "comfortable" in a trade. Feeling "comfortable" is the fastest way to the poorhouse in commodity trading. We are paid to provide liquidity and take on risk. Read on to see if you adhere to this basic and important market law... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=302 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=302 Mon, 16 Jul 2007 10:33:00 GMT Options Order Flow Summary http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=304 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=304 Fri, 13 Jul 2007 10:55:00 GMT Not all conventional commodity trading folklore is correct. Most of it is designed to make you feel "comfortable" in a trade. Feeling "comfortable" is the fastest way to the poorhouse in commodity trading. We are paid to provide liquidity and take on risk. Read on to see if you adhere to this basic and important market law... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=301 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=301 Thu, 12 Jul 2007 11:57:00 GMT Not all conventional commodity trading folklore is correct. Most of it is designed to make you feel "comfortable" in a trade. Feeling "comfortable" is the fastest way to the poorhouse in commodity trading. We are paid to provide liquidity and take on risk. Read on to see if you adhere to this basic and important market law... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=299 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=299 Thu, 12 Jul 2007 10:57:00 GMT Options Order Flow Summary http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=300 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=300 Wed, 11 Jul 2007 12:00:00 GMT Not all conventional commodity trading folklore is correct. Most of it is designed to make you feel "comfortable" in a trade. Feeling "comfortable" is the fastest way to the poorhouse in commodity trading. We are paid to provide liquidity and take on risk. Read on to see if you adhere to this basic and important market law... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=297 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=297 Wed, 11 Jul 2007 11:59:00 GMT Options Order Flow Summary http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=298 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=298 Tue, 10 Jul 2007 12:01:00 GMT Options Order Flow Summary http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=296 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=296 Mon, 9 Jul 2007 12:02:00 GMT Not all conventional commodity trading folklore is correct. Most of it is designed to make you feel "comfortable" in a trade. Feeling "comfortable" is the fastest way to the poorhouse in commodity trading. We are paid to provide liquidity and take on risk. Read on to see if you adhere to this basic and important market law... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=295 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=295 Fri, 6 Jul 2007 12:03:00 GMT Options Order Flow Summary http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=292 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=292 Thu, 5 Jul 2007 12:04:00 GMT Mid-day Options Order Flow http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=290 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=290 Tue, 3 Jul 2007 12:05:00 GMT A bull call spread tends to be profitable when the underlying stock increases in price. It can be established in one transaction, but always at a debit (net cash outflow). The call with the lower strike price will always be purchased at a price greater than the offsetting premium received from writing the call with the higher strike price. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=289 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=289 Mon, 2 Jul 2007 12:08:00 GMT Establishing a bull call spread (a.k.a. vertical spread) involves the purchase of a call option on a particular underlying stock, while simultaneously writing a call option on the same underlying stock with the same expiration month, at a higher strike price. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=286 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=286 Tue, 26 Jun 2007 12:13:00 GMT Many investors write puts because they are willing to be assigned and acquire shares of the underlying stock in exchange for the premium received from the put and s sale. For this discussion, a put writer and s position will be considered as "cash-secured" if he has on deposit with his brokerage firm a cash amount (or equivalent) sufficient to cover such a purchase. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=277 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=277 Mon, 25 Jun 2007 12:14:00 GMT Many investors write puts because they are willing to be assigned and acquire shares of the underlying stock in exchange for the premium received from the put and s sale. For this discussion, a put writer and s position will be considered as "cash-secured" if he has on deposit with his brokerage firm a cash amount (or equivalent) sufficient to cover such a purchase. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=276 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=276 Wed, 6 Jun 2007 12:25:00 GMT The versatility of index options stems from the variety of strategies available to the investor. Index puts are useful if you are anticipating a decline in the broad market or market sector measured by the underlying index in the near future. These products are also useful if you want to take an aggressive position with a great deal of leverage. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=250 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=250 Mon, 4 Jun 2007 12:55:00 GMT The versatility of index options stems from the variety of strategies available to the investor. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=244 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=244 Wed, 30 May 2007 12:57:00 GMT The versatility of index options stems from the variety of strategies available to the investor. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=239 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=239 Thu, 17 May 2007 13:04:00 GMT The buying of options (versus writing them) is the most popular way most new commodity traders start out. Little do they know that there are many hidden dangers waiting in store for them... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=221 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=221 Wed, 16 May 2007 13:06:00 GMT You asked for it, and now Part 3 is finally here. The buying of options (versus writing them) is the most popular way most new commodity traders start out. Little do they know that there are many hidden dangers waiting in store for them... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=219 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=219 Tue, 15 May 2007 13:07:00 GMT An investor purchasing a put while at the same time purchasing an equivalent number of shares of the underlying stock is establishing a "married put" position - a hedging strategy with a name from an old IRS ruling. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=216 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=216 Mon, 14 May 2007 13:09:00 GMT An investor purchasing a put while at the same time purchasing an equivalent number of shares of the underlying stock is establishing a "married put" position - a hedging strategy with a name from an old IRS ruling. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=215 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=215 Tue, 8 May 2007 13:14:00 GMT The covered call is a strategy in which an investor writes a call option contract while at the same time owning an equivalent number of shares of the underlying stock. This strategy is the most basic and most widely used strategy combining the flexibility of listed options with stock ownership. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=207 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=207 Mon, 7 May 2007 13:16:00 GMT The covered call is a strategy in which an investor writes a call option contract while at the same time owning an equivalent number of shares of the underlying stock. This strategy is the most basic and most widely used strategy combining the flexibility of listed options with stock ownership. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=206 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=206 Mon, 30 Apr 2007 13:22:00 GMT A long put can be an ideal tool for an investor who wishes to participate profitably from a downward price move in the underlying stock. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=199 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=199 Wed, 25 Apr 2007 13:25:00 GMT An overview of the risks and rewards associated with buying protective puts. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=196 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=196 Thu, 19 Apr 2007 13:29:00 GMT Purchasing calls has remained the most popular strategy with investors since listed options were first introduced. Before moving into more complex bullish and bearish strategies, an investor should thoroughly understand the fundamentals of buying and holding call options. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=188 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=188 Mon, 5 Mar 2007 13:36:00 GMT The buying of options (versus writing them) is the most popular way most new commodity traders start out. Little do they know that there are many hidden dangers waiting in store for them... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=138 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=138 Mon, 26 Feb 2007 14:39:00 GMT Options highlights from the Tech Sector http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=135 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=135 Wed, 24 Jan 2007 00:27:00 GMT An Overview of Volatility Skew http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=112 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=112 Tue, 23 Jan 2007 01:39:00 GMT An Introduction to the World of Volatility http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=111 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=111 Sat, 20 Jan 2007 00:14:00 GMT Contract Specs and Margin Requirements for Single Stock Futures http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=103 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=103 Wed, 17 Jan 2007 02:10:00 GMT Trading a New Skew Can Be a Difficult Prospect http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=97 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=97 Mon, 15 Jan 2007 22:17:00 GMT Options on the SPDR ETF Offer a Cheaper and More Flexible Alternative to the Boring Old SPX http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=94 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=94 Mon, 15 Jan 2007 00:23:00 GMT You and d Better Know Your Craft If You and re Going to Trade Paper Flow http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=95 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/TradingTechnology/?id=95