Updated and revised to include a decade of growth in the scope and complexity of options, Options Strategies: Profit-Making Techniques for Stock, Stock Index, and Commodity Options, 3rd Edition is a comprehensive guide to options trading strategies written in clear, non-technical language. In addition to insight into options issues like carrying changes, strike prices, commissions, interest rates, and break-even points, new chapters show how to predict the direction of implied volatility. Accessible examples, charts, and graphs will help you obtain the information you need to succeed in the high-risk, high-profit world of options.

From the Back Cover

Praise for Option Strategies, Third Edition “Finally, a book on option strategies even guys like me can understand. Whether you’re an options veteran or not, Courtney’s years of experience will be of value to you.” —Larry Williams, author of Trade Stocks & Commodities with the Insiders: Se (more…)

As serious and sophisticated investors know, options are a viable and increasingly popular way to enhance their portfolios. Yet even the most savvy investors need instruction.Now in its third edition, The Options Workbook has been updated and reformatted in a larger, more convenient, and user-friendly design. Three all-new chapters explain key trading concepts-volatility, the collar, and the covered call-and show how these can be applied to mitigate risk and increase profits. What’s more, this fresh edition incorporates additional interactive content-exercises, hands-on tools, and lessons that complement the in-depth curriculum on ITI’s Web site, www.itichicago.com.

From the Publisher

“ITI is the reason for our success. We would never let anybody trade for us without the ITI education.” —Patrick Enblad Executive Director, Head of Trading Hagstromer & Gviberg Fondkommission AB Stockhold, Sweden As serious and savvy investors know, o (more…)

About the Actor

Andy was a successful small business owner who discovered a passion for trading in the 1980s. He became a technical analyst for CTS Financial Publishing and during his time there he was CTS Editor In Chief, overseeing the Futures, Futures Options, and Stock Options publications and advisory services. During his tenure at CTS, Andy also wrote, recorded, and published the Daily Trend Watch, a daily futures advisory, the Daily Trend Watch Classroom, an educational futures service, and the MR2 Alert, a combination advisory and tutorial specifically related to futures options. Since leaving in 2001, he has been working as an independent trader and analyst for private individuals and corporations.

Using a tried and true methodology, Andy Chambers will show you how the basic tenets of technical analysis can translate into big gains for you in futures options. During this 90-minute DVD, Andy will review his favorite trade setups, explain h (more…)

 “Jeff’s analysis is unique, at least among academic derivatives textbooks. I would definitely use this material in my derivatives class, as I believe students would benefit from analyzing the many dimensions of Jeff’s trading strategies. I especially found the material on trading the earnings cycle and discussion of how to insure against price jumps at known events very worthwhile.” —DR. ROBERT JENNINGS, Professor of Finance, Indiana University Kelley School of Business   “This is not just another book about options trading. The author shares a plethora of knowledge based on 20 years of trading experience and study of the financial markets. Jeff explains the myriad of complexities about options in a manner that is insightful and easy to understand. Given the growth in the options and derivatives markets over the past five years, this book is required reading for any serious investor or anyone in the financial service industries.” —MICHAEL P. O’ (more…)

Review

” Guy Cohen is the master when it comes to taming the complexities of options. From buying calls and puts to iron butterflies and condors, Guy explains these strategies in a clear and concise manner that options traders of any level can understand. His chapter on options and taxes is especially welcomed (and needed). The Bible of Options Strategies is a straightforward, easy-to-use reference work that should occupy a space on any options trader’s bookshelf. ” –Bernie Schaeffer, Chairman and CEO, Schaeffer’s Investment Research, Inc.   “The author delivers clarity, insight and perception making learning about options a joy, and practicing the art of making money that much easier: truly a bible from a guru.”–Alpesh B. Patel, Author and Financial Times Columnist   “Guy Cohen truly makes learning about options easy in this fact-filled guide. Bullet points make for a quick and enlightened read, getting to the heart of what you really need to know about (more…)

“Learn and profit from Jeff Augen’s book: It clearly explains how to take advantage of market inefficiencies in collapsing implied volatility, effects of strike price, and time decay. A must-read for individuals who are options oriented.” –Ralph J. Acampora, CMT, Director of Technical Analysis Studies, New York Institute of Finance   “A fantastic, insightful book full of meticulously compiled statistics about anomalies that surround option expiration. Not only does Augen present a set of effective trading strategies to capitalize on these anomalies, he walks through the performance of each across several expirations. His advice is practical and readily applicable: He outlines common pitfalls, gives guidance on timing your executions, and even includes code that can be used to perform the same calculations he does in the text. A thoroughly enjoyable read that will give you a true edge in your option trading.” –Alexis Goldstein, Vice President, Equity De (more…)

Many traders and investors dismiss stock options as either too complex or too risky. But did you know that options can be easily understood and the risk easily managed? This book will show you the basics of stock options in easy to understand terminology. You will be able to read option quotes with ease, get an option enabled trading account, and trade basic option strategies in no time. In Trading Stock Options, experienced option trader Brian Burns explains the basics of stock options and shows you how to trade the most successful option strategies. As you begin your journey on the option path, you’ll have the luxury of real-life trade examples to show you the way. The diagrams and charts help turn the complex world of options into easy to visualize and simple to understand strategies that even the most novice of traders can utilize. Trading Stock Options will show you how you can use options to: * Get paid to buy and sell your favorite stock * Purchase st (more…)

In Trading Stock Options, experienced option trader Brian Burns, explains the basics of stock options and shows you how to trade the most successful option strategies. As you begin your journey on the option path, you’ll have the luxury of real-life trade examples to show you the way. The diagrams and charts help turn the complex world of options into easy to visualize and simple to understand strategies that even the most novice of traders can utilize. Trading Stock Options will show you how you can use options to: * Get paid to buy and sell your favorite stock * Purchase stocks for less than their current price * Buy insurance on stocks in your portfolio * Profit when stocks lose value * Perform short-term trades with less money than trading the stock From the Introduction “Through my experiences with option trading, I have tried almost every strategy I could find. In this book, I will be discussing the strategies that I use the most and feel are the bes (more…)

One must look inward to determine which type best suits you. How high is your tolerance for risk? What are your investment objectives? Each person has different goals while at different stages of their life. A suitable strategy needs to be derived fitting your circumstances.

Many advise that the best time to take additional risks is when you are young. When a long life of earnings lay ahead, losses are easier to absorb. This is not the case as one begins to approach retirement. Advice from a financial advisor is often helpful when making these decisions.

If you end up seeking to be a long term investor this entails viewing things with a patient mind set. Buy and hold investors must ignore the everyday swings of the market and allow their portfolios to flourish over the course of years, not months. There are several methods to buy stocks if you seek this style.

One prominent such method is called dollar cost averaging. To employ this strategy one invests an equal amount of money in a given stock on a monthly basis. This investment is made no matter what the stock is doing at that time. It can be going up or down. This removes emotion and serves to reinforce discipline. It also translates to a basis equating to the stock’s average trailing trading price.

If you aren’t blessed with this level of patience then maybe trading is more for you. As opposed to investing, a trader is looking to exploit shorter term movements in a given stock. Many active traders use technical analysis to help guide their decisions. Others rely on an increasing array of automated trading programs on the market.

Some in this class hold stocks weeks to months. Others, referred to as daytraders, hold for minutes. A brokerage account with very low commissions is paramount for this class of trader. Great profits can be made, however studies have shown the majority of daytraders end up losing money in the end.

Stock market trading can be done in many different styles employing varying strategies. Some are passive investors who buy stocks for the long term. Others are hyperactive traders turning over positions several times within one day. Whichever path you choose do your research and trade intelligently.