Back in the early 's a technology revolution quietly began to change our lives. I'm sure you can recall the first time you dialed into your Internet Service Provider's system, and took your first tentative steps through the World Wide Web. About the same time you were learning to navigate through the Internet, an enormous effort was optionshouse way to make use of this new medium as a tool to make investors better informed, and to streamline the entire investing process. This streamlining process allowed investors unparalleled access to their brokerage accounts. Unfortunately, this access simply gave uneducated investors a way to lose their money more efficiently. Back then, there were no levels of option-trading authority. People more or less traded as optionshouse saw fit. That is, until the first lawsuits began to surface. This is done to protect not only the integrity of your account, but to protect your overall financial security. Education is the key to successful options trades. Learning how to use options in order to expand your investing toolbox should be the goal of every investor. Understanding the risks should be a priority. When you apply for an options trading account, you will be provided with access to an online booklet entitled "Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options" published by the Options Clearing Corporation. It's important that you learn to recognize the risks of options trading, and never risk money that you can't afford to lose. In order to help you manage risk, optionsXpress has established five levels of options trading authority. These are general definitions only. We'll discuss specific options trading strategies available within each level of options trading optionshouse in another section. Level 1 authority is granted to accountholders seeking approval to trade Covered Calls. This is considered a conservative strategy, and is a great way to build your experience in the application of options. Grants approval to buy Calls and Puts, as well as the ability to write Covered Puts. Generally given levels accountholders with some history of trading stocks and an understanding of the speculative nature of options trading. To increase your level of options trading authority within the optionsXpress system, simply click on the "Account" tab, and options-trading authority. You'll generally find this form in the "FAQ" section of your broker's Web site. If you aren't certain where to find the form, or how to complete the application, contact your broker. Spreads are more advanced than simple Call and Put option plays in that they can result in a Naked Position. A Naked Position simply implies that you are selling an option to levels else, without owning the stock first. An example of a trade requiring this level of authority trading be a Calendar Spread, which is simply a Covered Call on a LEAPS option. In this example, although you own the LEAPS contract, which gives you the right to purchase the underlying stock, you don't technically own the stock. This places more of your capital at risk, since you are basically naked in the trade. This is why your broker would require a higher level of trading authority for a Calendar Spread. As mentioned above, Naked Equity Options would result in selling an option without the ownership of the stock itself. This would be used when you are fairly certain that a stock isn't going to move above a certain point. We sell the Covered Call trading a strike price above the point levels which we expect the stock price to stop moving higher. This then enables us to reap the premium from the sale of the Calls, without having to extend ourselves to actually purchase the stock first. Since you do need to be prepared trading the possibility of being called out, your broker will require a certain cash reserve within your account. The size of this margin is determined by the exposure in the position determined by the current price of the stock. Some Index Tracking Stocks also known as Exchange Traded Funds are quite unique in that investors can purchase the options, however there is no stock in which to take ownership. The OEX is a prime example of this. The value of the OEX is tied to this composite; however, you can't actually purchase the stock itself. Since options are available on the OEX, however, you could sell the Call options, but you don't actually own the stock What would happen if you're called out? Since there is no stock to turn over, you're forced to settle the trade with cash. This could result in an outlay of tens of thousands of dollars, again dependent trading the price of the issue in question. Optionshouse margin trading for this type of trade is usually far greater than for Naked Equity Options. Background of an Option. What is an Option? Finding an Option to Trade. Reading an Option Quote Optionshouse. Placing an Optionshouse Order. Options Level 1 Quiz. Options Level 2 Quiz. A Form of Hedging. Options Level 3 Quiz. Time Diagonal Put Spread. Options Level 4 Quiz. Content and tools are provided for educational and informational purposes only. Any stock, options, or futures symbols displayed are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to levels a recommendation to buy or sell a particular security. Products and services intended for U. Trading trading has inherent risk. System response and access times that may vary due to market conditions, system levels, volume and other factors. Options and futures involve risk and are not suitable for all investors. Please read Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options and Risk Disclosure Statement for Futures and Options prior to trading, which levels also available by calling An investor should understand these and additional risks before trading. Member SIPC "Schwab" and optionsXpress, Inc. To learn trading about how optionsXpress uses and protects your personal and account information, please read our Privacy Notice. Information Overview Positions Activity e-Statements Analysis Balances. Tools Alert Manager Transfer Funds Settings Profile. Asset Type Options Stock Futures Futures Options Mutual Funds Bonds. Strategy Type Xspreads Option Spreads Covered Calls Execution All-In-One Trade Ticket Order Status Saved Orders. Tools Quote Detail Watch Lists Historical Charts Basic Charts Streaming Charts Beta v1. Chains Option Chains Futures Chains Futures Options Research Most Actives Indices ETF Center. Calendar Earnings Calendar Econ. Calendar Dividend Calendar Futures Futures Research Center. Risk Tools Trade Calculator Pricer Position Optionshouse Portfolio Graphs Platforms Virtual Trading OX Mobile Streaming Quotes. Online Training Education Center On-Demand Videos XGuide How-To Get Started. Support Customer Service Forms Tax Center. Site Release Notes FAQs Glossary Site Map. Levels of Options Trading Authority Back in the early 's a technology revolution quietly began to change our lives. Level 1 Options Trading Authority: Level 2 Options Trading Authority: Level 3 Options Trading Authority: This level allows the accountholder to execute Spread trades. Level 4 Options Trading Authority: This level involves the selling of Naked Equity Options. Level 5 Options Trading Authority: Basically authorizes the investor to trade Naked Index Options. Additional Resources Glossary Toolbox XGuides Xpress Method Xpresso. Options level 1 Intro to Options Background of an Option What is an Option? Option Greeks Historical Volatility Theoretical Value Implied Volatility Black-Scholes Model Options Level 2 Quiz. Option Spreads Bull Call Spreads Bear Put Spreads Bull Put Spreads Bear Call Spreads Ratio Spreads Calendars Time Diagonal Put Spread Straddles and Strangles Levels Straddle Short Straddle Long Strangle Short Strangle Butterflies Condors Reversals Conversions Index Options Options Level 4 Quiz.
How to Use Level 2 While Trading Stocks - Tutorial on Level 2 using Etrade Pro with stock CDOI
How to Use Level 2 While Trading Stocks - Tutorial on Level 2 using Etrade Pro with stock CDOI
The Extraordinary Adventures of Arsene Lupin, Gentleman-Burglar (English) (as Author).
Jayewardene, QC, and the late Neville Samarakoon, QC, who later served.