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Futures 101: The Difference Between Trading Stocks and Futures

Futures 101: The Difference Between Trading Stocks and Futures

Not well-versed in the futures market? Scared about a new kind of advanced product? Here are some basic points to get started. Futures are different from traditional stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) because they track an index. You don't own anything. You...

Rolling Options: Key Things for Traders to Know

Rolling Options: Key Things for Traders to Know

Editor's note: This post was originally published on Wednesday, December 23, 2020. "Rolling options" is a common transaction for options traders, but there are several ways to do it. This article will explain the different ways and reasons why traders might roll...

Key Points About Selling Credit Spreads

Key Points About Selling Credit Spreads

A previous post covered debit spreads, when you pay a debit looking for a stock or ETF to move in a certain direction. Credit spreads are just the opposite, with traders collecting premium up front in hope that the stock won't move a certain way. What a Credit Spread...

Greek of the Week: Delta

Greek of the Week: Delta

Editor's note: This post, part of a four-part series about options Greeks, was originally published on Tuesday, August 14, 2018. Some traders may be confused by options, especially their use of Greek letters. Delta, gamma, theta, and vega. How to remember what they...

Greek of the Week: Gamma

Greek of the Week: Gamma

Editor’s note: This post, part of a four-part series about options Greeks, was originally published on Monday, August 20, 2018. We previously looked at delta. Delta measures how much an option changes in price when the underlying stock or ETF fluctuates. Calls...

Greek of the Week: Theta

Greek of the Week: Theta

Editor’s note: This post, part of a four-part series about options Greeks, was originally published on Tuesday, August 28, 2018. So far, we’ve looked at delta and gamma. This week, we’ll turn to theta. Theta: T is for “time decay.” Theta measures how...

Greek of the Week: Vega

Greek of the Week: Vega

Editor’s note: This post, part of a four-part series about options Greeks, was originally published on Tuesday, September 4, 2018. So far we’ve reviewed three options “Greeks,” with memory tricks for keeping them straight: Delta: D is for direction.Gamma: G is for...

The Basics of Options

The Basics of Options

Options are an important tool for many retail investors. They can either replace trading shares, or make it easier to position oneself in stocks. Let's consider the first things options traders need to know. An Option's Price Is Usually Called 'Premium' There are some...

The Structure of Options Trades

The Structure of Options Trades

While options can be traded by themselves, investors often use them in conjunction with other securities. So before going further, let's consider the four basic ways that options trades are structured. You Can Trade Options by Themselves As we learned in a previous...