long-term-equity-anticipation-security-leaps

Long-Term Equity AnticiPation Security (LEAPS)

A Long-term Equity AnticiPation Security (LEAPS) is essentially an option with a much longer term than traditional stock or index options. Like options, a stock-related LEAP may be a call or a put, meaning that the owner has the right to purchase or sell shares of the stock at a given price on or before

Read More

stock-option-symbols

Stock Option Symbols

The following symbols are used for the expiration month and price of listed stock options.   Month Call Put Jan A M Feb B N Mar C O Apr D P May E Q Jun F R Jul G S Aug H T Sep I U Oct J V Nov K W Dec L X

Read More

stock-option-split

Stock Option Splits

When a stock splits, call and put options are adjusted accordingly. In almost every case the Options Clearing Corporation (OCC) has provided rules and procedures so options investors are “made whole” when stocks split. This makes sense since the OCC wishes to maintain a relatively stable and dependable market in options, not a market in

Read More

stock-option-ordering

Stock Option Ordering

When you are dealing in options, order entry is a critical factor in getting good fills. Mis-spoken words during order entry can lead to serious money errors. This article discusses how to place your order properly, and focuses on the simplest type of order, the straight buy or sell. There is a set sequence of

Read More

covered-put

What is a Covered Put?

A covered put is a stock put option that is written (i.e., created and sold) by a person who also is short (i.e., has borrowed and sold) a sufficient number of shares of the stock to cover the option if necessary. In most cases this means that the put writer is short at least 100

Read More

covered-call

What is a Covered Call?

A covered call is a stock call option that is written (i.e., created and sold) by a person who also owns a sufficient number of shares of the stock to cover the option if the option is called. In most cases this means that the call writer owns at least 100 shares of the stock

Read More

stock-options

What are Stock Options?

A stock option is a contract between a buyer and a seller. The option is connected to something, such as a listed stock, an exchange index, futures contracts, or real estate. For simplicity, this article will discuss only options connected to listed stocks. Just to be complete, note that there are two basic types of

Read More

single-stock-futures

What are Single Stock Futures?

A single-stock future is a contract to buy or sell 100 shares of a single stock on a future date at a price locked in when the contract is established. A single-stock future (SSF) falls in the category of Securities Futures, together with futures on ETFs and narrow index (two to nine stocks) futures. This

Read More

futures-markets

What are Futures Markets?

Where to Buy and Sell Futures Here is a list of US futures markets where derivatives are traded in the United States. CBOE – The Chicago Board Options Exchange CBOT – (h The Chicago Board of Trade CME – (The Chicago Mercantile Exchange KCBT – Kansas City Board of Trade ICE – The Intercontinental Exchange MGEX – Minneapolis

Read More

futures-margin

What is a Futures Margin?

Commodity margins are good faith deposits which guarantee performance of futures contracts. Margins are normally set as a percentage of the full value of the contracts because futures transactions contemplate physical delivery or receipt of the underlying commodities at some later date. Initial margin is the amount of money which a customer must deposit in

Read More