An option is a securities contract, a “callâ€‌ or a “put,â€‌ that gives you the right to buy (call) or sell (put) the underlying equity, index, or ETF.

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Covered calls provide an alluring introduction into the options realm for traders looking to not only improve returns, but also attain some downside protection.

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This conservative options strategy generates a steady flow of cash in stocks you want to hold.

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Get the answers to some common questions about this quadruple witching expiration day.

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With August options coming off the board Friday, it's a good time to review how to extend profits or reduce losses.

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CBOE Stock VIXes track the implied volatility of AAPL, AMZN, GS, GOOG and IBM.

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When it comes to the VIX, nothing trades quite like you think it should.

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Find out what you need to know and what steps you should take to avoid unpleasant surprises on expiration day.

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With all the new ways to trade volatility, we're going to give you a primer on some VIX products.

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Demand for crude oil, metals and other materials is increasing, so now is the perfect time to learn how to trade commodity futures.

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Four rules every options trader should follow.

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A tutorial on trading index options like the S&P 500 (CBOE: SPX), CBOE Volatility Index (CBOE: VIX), Russell 2000 (.RUT), and the Nasdaq-100 Index (.NDX).

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When you purchase options contract, the price quoted will be per share and not per contract. Here's a simple calculation to determine options contract price.

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Before you open an options trading account here are a few considerations you'll encounter when choosing an options broker. Getting approval for trading options.

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There are many fairly complex options trading strategies. Here's a listing of options trading strategies for novice and seasoned options traders.

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In addition to risk, time decay, and overly aggressive positions, there are a few other common mistakes that option traders make. Avoid these Options Mistakes.

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By understanding options risk, you can become a better and more profitable options trader. While big returns are achievable savvy traders understand the risk.

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How to read options quotes and make sense of open interest, volume and expiration cycles.

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The price of an option is influenced by the stock price, time left until the option expires, and the volatility of the stock. Learn how to price options.

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All options symbols are 21 characters long. While this seems like it would make the symbology difficult to understand, the uniform options symbol format is easy to understand.

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Strike price is an important part of the options contract and the only static variable that contributes to option’s pricing. Learn which factors impact the price of options.

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The VIX continues to sit at annual lows, but trying to wager on upside is probably more difficult than you think.

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Options trading is a balancing act that favors the house. Find out how to master the balancing act and achieve great returns.

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This free options trading education guide will get you up to speed on the basics of trading options and ready to trade in no time.

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The rarely-discussed topic of option settlement is critical for option trading success.

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Selling put options can provide consistent profits or allow you to buy stocks at a discount.

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Find out what it is that traders love so much about Weeklys.

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Naked options can be risky, but you shouldn't let your fear hold you back. Here are some things you should know before you get naked.

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These important strategy adjustments are designed to promote safer, more successful weekly options trading.

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New options traders should have realistic expectations. So, how much should a new trader expect to make?

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Grab your profits from a long call option position when the underlying rises but rolling up your position.

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Earnings seasons puts a monkey wrench into the logic of time decay and options pricing.

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Earnings season is a difficult time for options trading because the news causes volatility to fluctuate unpredictably.

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The proposed “limit up limit downâ€‌ volatility curb would pause stocks but keep options trading.

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Options traders can use volatility skew charts to better understand the impact of implied volatility on the pricing of options.

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A rally in the CBOE Volatility Index (CBOE: VIX) can mean a troubled market but rarely a meltdown.

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The rally in the CBOE Volatility Index (CBOE: VIX) appears real.

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The monthly settlement price of the CBOE Volatility Index (CBOE: VIX) is confusing.

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Options calculators are valuable tool for novice options traders as they learn premium pricing.

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Option traders should use income-producing trading strategies during slow summer months when volume and volatility dry up.

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The BATS Global exchange operator filed for an initial public offering. The BATS is one of nine options exchanges.

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Trade established brands like Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) is the conclusion drawn from the press conference by Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke.

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Options traders would do well to learn about the Greeks. First, delta and theta.

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The strategic sale of an option offers income, flexibility, protects gains, and locks in a purchase price.

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The iPath S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures (NYSE: VXX) is dribbling away.

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During earnings season the smartest options strategies involve less risk, lower returns, and a greater probability of success.

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The CBOE Volatility Index (CBOE: VIX) moves big on quiet weeks and seemingly slow days.

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An options spread trade raises the opportunity for profit though the return may be modest.

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Trading in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) has exploded since 2000, growing 8,800%.

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Option volatility has dropped, making it hard to profit by just selling calls. Try vertical spreads.

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