Stock Option Trading Picks & Tips

To Trade or Not To Trade? That is the question!

May 25, 2011 The market is quiet. On Monday it will be closed due to the Memorial Day. Volumes are relatively low. It seems as if a lot of stock trading and/or option trading “players” are either taking time off to make it a longer weekend or they are simply sitting on the sidelines waiting [...]

Mark To Market

May 1, 2011 Many people are confusing their brokerage account statements, thinking it reflects an actual gain or loss, with the “Mark To Market” rule that the brokers must use. One must be aware of it when one uses stock trading, options trading and/or any option trading strategy or stock trading strategy. Basically the Mark [...]

Weekly Summary – April 22, 2011

April 24, 2011 Another week is behind us. The markets continued their march upward. Here is the summary: As you can see above, the major indices are all up for the week and options’ month. However, the VIX, the SPX volatility index is DOWN 40% since April 15, 2011, the end of the last options’ [...]

Where is the SPX headed?

April 23, 2011 In my previous blog I commented on the VIX (S&P 500 or SPX volatility index) and its downward movement towards very low levels. Since the VIX usually moves in the opposite direction of the SPX, here is what the SPX looks like in various time frames. On the last one I marked [...]

Lower Volatility means lower options’ premiums

April 21, 2011 The stock market keeps marching on. Below are 3 charts: the 1 year S&P 500 (SPX), CBOE SPX volatility Index (VIX) and VXX which is the VIX short term ETF. As you can see in the above charts, normally as the SPX rises the VIX, and therefore the VXX fall. The VIX [...]

Stock Options Tutorial – Are Stock Options Really Riskier Than Stocks? (Part 2)

This options training video compares the risks of stock options to their underlying stocks. I hope you find it useful!

Stock Options Explained – Are Stock Options Riskier Than Stocks?

This video on comparing stock options to their underlying stocks is the last in a series of 4 educational trading videos. I hope you find it useful!

Understanding Option Spreads In Combinations – Educational Trading Video #3

This video on how to use option spreads in various combinations is the third in a series of 4 educational trading videos. I hope you find it useful!

Understanding Put Option Spreads – Educational Trading Video #2

Happy New Year! This video on understanding put option spreads is the second in a series of 4 educational trading videos. I hope you find it useful!

Understanding Call Option Spreads – Educational Trading Video

I thought it might be helpful to explain the various options trading strategies that I employ. This video on understanding call option spreads is the first in a series of 4 educational trading videos. I hope you find it useful!