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Know Your Options: Archive
Expiration Can Get Tricky, but Options are Still Very Understandable
by David Borun
As they are about to expire, making sure you know what's happening is one of the most important parts of trading options.
AAPLPositive Net Change
options
Options on Bankrupt Hertz Provide Unique Risks and Opportunities
by David Borun
Extremely high volatilities and negative interest rates make trading Hertz options tricky.
HTZNo Net Change
options
Avoid the Pitfalls of Leveraged ETFs
by David Borun
Futures and options help avoid the built-in disadvantages of leveraged ETFs
SPYPositive Net Change
options
If You Liked the Straddle, You Should also Consider a Strangle.
by David Borun
A less expensive spread that benefits from market movement and a potential rise in volatility might be the right trade for uncertain times.
SPYPositive Net Change
options
The VIX is not really a "Fear Gauge"
by David Borun
Though fear is one component of options prices, there's much more to it.
CBOEPositive Net Change
options
With Precious Metals, Make Sure You're Not the "Greater Fool"
by David Borun
Some assets have true intrinsic value and some don't. Knowing the difference is important.
GLDPositive Net Change
options
As the VIX Falls, It's Time To Consider Buying Options
by David Borun
With the VIX back at 30% even as uncertainty lurks, the Straddle is looking like a good bet.
SPYPositive Net Change CBOEPositive Net Change
options
The Oil Price Plunge is an Opportunity to Learn About Options
by David Borun
Extreme situations like negative futures prices are an interesting way to learn about the mechanics of derivatives.
CMEPositive Net Change
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With Energy and Metals on the Move, Consider Commodity Options
by David Borun
Investors with and opinion on the direction of commodity prices should know all the facts before trading those options.
CMEPositive Net Change
options
Put Protection is Too Expensive for Your Portfolio
by David Borun
High implied volatilities make buying option protection a poor idea right now.
CBOEPositive Net Change
options
Equities Rally, but the VIX Remains High
by David Borun
Factors other than fear can often keep implied volatilities higher than you might guess.
CBOEPositive Net Change
options
Know Your Options, Personal Story Edition
by David Borun
Two events, one today and one from 20 years ago help shed some light on recent market behavior.
LRCXPositive Net Change
options
Coronavirus Causes a Volatility Spike. Time to Sell Options?
by David Borun
When traders scramble for protective options, your decision comes down to "trade or fade."
CBOEPositive Net Change
options
Trading Options on Takeover Deals
by David Borun
Contracts are adjusted to minimize the impact, but corporate deals still present an opportunity.
MSPositive Net Change
options
Should You Consider Trading Weekly Options Expirations?
by David Borun
More frequent expiration cycles allow traders to customize their positions, but also involve unique risks
CBOEPositive Net Change
options
Why You Should NOT Be Trading Options on Tesla Right Now
by David Borun
Big moves, high volatilities and high "vol of vol" make Tesla options a real widowmaker lately
TSLAPositive Net Change AAPLPositive Net Change
options
Call-Put Parity Reprise
by David Borun
The principle of call-put parity means calls can act like puts and vice versa.
CBOEPositive Net Change
options
Call-Selling Terminology (Plus a Bit More on Call-Put Parity)
by David Borun
Selling calls can be a very effective strategy, but you might want to avoid in-the-money options.
CBOEPositive Net Change
options
Don't Let Low Volatilities Lull You into a False Sense of Security
by David Borun
Unpredictable events are perpetually on the horizon, smart traders know how to survive them
CBOEPositive Net Change
options
A Big Rally and High Volatilities Make Tesla a Candidate for Cash-Covered Puts
by David Borun
Those who missed the recent rally aren't totally out of the game
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options
Back to Fundamentals to Start 2020
by David Borun
At the start of a new trading year, let's examine a basic topic that's important for understanding our trades to come this year.
CBOEPositive Net Change
options
Tesla Collar Update
by David Borun
As the shares continue to rally, how can a trader make the right decision about what to keep and what to sell?
TSLAPositive Net Change
options
Using Options to Lock in Tesla Gains
by David Borun
With a big winner on your hands, a collar can protect profits while still preserving potential
TSLAPositive Net Change
options
Why Do Options on the Same Stock Trade at Different Implied Vols?
by David Borun
The normal distribution assumption in option pricing models doesn't accurately reflect real life
options
A Different Take on a Popular Strategy
by David Borun
Options volumes may be a good signal, but not necessarily how you might think.
options