Recent content by athos

Buying vs. Writing Options There seem to be quite a few shady characters running around the net claiming that you can only make money selling options. They had a similar discussion recently on another board: http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/forum/posts.asp?id=43 In fact, I think that Atlantic...

They have some good free screeners and options tools at the OIC site: www.888options.com. As for exercising, I wouldn't worry too much about that. There aren't many situations where it is advantageous to exercise your options. You're usually much better off just selling your options in the...

Options I second the Natenberg suggestion. That book is still required reading for all options traders. It's pretty much THE primer that everyone starts with before graduating to other more advanced books. I also agree that you should firm up your understanding of options before diving into...

Hedge Funds & Options Clearing houses are for eliminating counter-party risk. However, that is not what I was referring to. Clearing houses won't help you if the market maker refuses to make a market when the market is crashing, or makes their market so wide that you can drive a truck through...

Hedge Funds Invade the Options Markets Just came across this and thought it was interesting. Seems that hedge funds are busting into the options markets, but not in the way that you might think. Instead of just taking down massive positions, these funds are now breaking into options market...

Good Options Info A few friends have been bugging me for a while to find them good options information. I've been putting them off for months but, after reading this thread, I thought I'd give it a go. Here are my favorites so far: Best Books: Options Volatility & Pricing - Sheldon Natenberg...

I've read quite a few posts on this board about how difficult it is to find good options information online. So I've decided to create a thread where people can post their favorite, and most reliable, options sites. I've traded options for a number of years and these are the sites I've come to...

Info For books, I always stick with good old Natenberg. You can't go wrong with his stuff. It's as dry and boring as can be, but it will teach you the basics. However, if you want more recent (and less dry) info, then you have to look on the web. These sites are free and they will do as good...

Weeklys The weeklys are very interesting products. I'm curious to see if this new class of short-term options will gain any traction with retail investors. Only time will tell...

info Most retail options brokers will make you fill out a form to determine your options experience. Using this form, they will then assign you an options level of 1-3. Depending on your level, you will have access to certain trading activities. Level 1 is basic stuff like going long options...

Info There's a difference between paying someone to manage your funds and paying someone to give you trading tips. The person managing your funds provides services such as diversification, risk analysis, etc. They also free you up so that you don't have to spend all of your time managing your...

info NM about that Mike Parnos guy. I mistook him for someone else. But my advice about paying for options info still stands. Be afraid...be very afraid....

Info Isn't Mike Parnos that guy who spams the internet with ads about how he used to be homeless and now he has millions of dollars? Do you want to give your money to someone like that? Here's a free tip - don't pay people for options tips. It's an expensive, dangerous and ultimately...

info What does this have to do with options? Probably should be in one of the stock boards.

It's difficult to determine intent behind any options trade. This customer could be making a very extensive long-term bet on the stock, they could be legging into a sizable time spread or some other trade. The problem with determining intent is that you have no idea what else this customer has...