Options

Learn about options trading, from how to place your first options trade to more advanced topics.

Weekly Trader's Outlook

All of the majors, sans the Russell 2000, hit fresh record highs this week which was largely supported by strength in mega-cap tech. While a 25-basis-point cut from the Fed also didn't hurt, the future trajectory of rate policy remains cloudy.

Unbalanced Butterfly and Strong Directional Bias

A guide to using unbalanced butterflies for traders who have a strong directional bias but want to generate income and ensure they have defined risk.

A Guide to the Covered Strangle Options Strategy

Learn how covered strangles can potentially help traders earn extra income from options and manage their stock positions during periods of sideways trading.

An Investor's Guide to Options Income ETFs

Options income ETFs offer investors a unique combination of high yields, downside cushion, and reduced volatility, but they come with risks worth considering.

Using Implied Volatility Percentiles

Learn how implied volatility (IV) percentiles can help identify when to use various options strategies. Rank volatility using IV percentiles to see if changes are normal or unusual.

Short Straddles vs. Strangles Options Strategies

Short straddles and strangles can help traders take advantage of range-bound trading or drops in implied volatility. But advanced options strategies carry greater potential risk.

Money Due: Handling Credit Spread Assignment

Early assignment is a risk of trading credit spreads. What happens when a trader's notified money is due? Learn how to take an economical approach to managing an early assignment.

Practice Options Trading on the thinkorswim Platform

Stock traders may consider options as way to generate income or speculate on the market, but it takes practice to master the complexities. Learn how to get started risk-free.

Using S&P 500 Put Options to Hedge a Downturn

Using S&P 500 put options for temporary downside portfolio protection when concerns over an event-driven sell-off are elevated.

How to Hedge in a Volatile Market

Options hedging strategies allow investors to insure against market risk, although this protection comes at a cost. Find out how to hedge with options.