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Options
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...

Buying and Selling Options

Buying and Selling Options

Most clients understand buying and selling stocks. Options are similar, and can be traded in the same brokerage accounts. However, you should know some basic differences. Bid / Ask Spreads Matter A bid/ask spread is the difference between where you can sell a security...

Essential Options Knowledge: Time, Volatility and Different Kinds of Value

Essential Options Knowledge: Time, Volatility and Different Kinds of Value

Options confuse a lot of investors because several factors impact their value. Unlike stocks, they don't just go up and down based on supply and demand. This post will explain three of the most important concepts you need to get started: time, volatility and intrinsic...

One Bearish Story After Another Seems to Be Hitting Crude Oil

One Bearish Story After Another Seems to Be Hitting Crude Oil

Editor's note: This article was originally published on January 22, 2020. Energy may be resuming its downtrend as one bearish story after another piles up. Crude oil futures (@CL) are down for the third straight week. That's the longest losing streak since they last...

Options Alert: Can DoorDash Keep Delivering for the Bulls?

Options Alert: Can DoorDash Keep Delivering for the Bulls?

DoorDash jumped earlier in the week, and one big options trader seems to think the move will continue. Check out this large transaction in the food-delivery company: 25,000 December 35 calls were sold for $22.10.35,000 February 45 calls were purchased at almost the...

Options Traders Look for Marathon Oil to Keep Running

Options Traders Look for Marathon Oil to Keep Running

Marathon Oil is the third-best performer in the S&P 500 this year, and options traders seem to think it will keep running. Check out this large complex trade in the Houston-based energy driller: 15,423 January 24 calls were sold for $6.70.15,423 January 21 puts...

Options Alert: Bearish Traders Could Be Sticking With Western Digital

Options Alert: Bearish Traders Could Be Sticking With Western Digital

Western Digital tried to bounce after a big drop, but the bears don't seem to be going away. Check out this unusual options activity in the maker of data-storage products: A block of 7,500 October 36 puts was sold for $2.05.A trader bought an equal number of October...