optionsguy’s Blog posts
Bull Put Spread How to Video
This video covers the basics of the short put spread. A short put spread involves the sale of a put option on a particular underlying stock or index, while simultaneously purchasing a further ... more
Gamma & calendar spreads - what's the deal?
TradeKing Sr. Options Analyst Brian Overby fields a question from Keith about the greek gamma and how it works inside a calendar spread. Hi Brian, I've been doing a lot of long calendar spreads ... more
Bear Put Spread How to Video
This video covers the basics of the long put spread. A long put spread involves the purchase of a put option on a particular underlying stock or index, while simultaneously selling another pu... more
Bear Call Spread How to Video
This video covers the basics of the short call spread. A short call spread involves the sale of a call option on a particular underlying stock or index, while simultaneously purchasing a call opti... more
Are there really VIX options?
TradeKing Senior Options Analyst Brian Overby discusses the tricky VIX option contracts and some of the pitfalls that traders are running into when trying to track it. Hello Traders, The CBO... more
VIX Options How to Video
This video provides a background for CBOE VOLATILITY INDEX® (VIX®) option contracts. Below are some of the product specifications from the Chicago Board Options Exchange. For more information pleas... more
Introducing the Midday Market Call
Spend 10 minutes of your lunch hour with Barron’s columnist Michael Kahn, CMT and TradeKing’s Brian Overby, as they analyze the market during this live online session. Hello everyone, I’m exci... more
Straddles and Strangles Explained
Welcome back, traders! TradeKing Sr. Options Analyst Brian Overby fields a question from an email from an options trader whose straddle hasn't gone as planned. Hi Brian, I tried to follow your... more
Option Trading Levels and Leverage
I recently had a question proposed to me about the different option trading levels that are assigned to a brokerage account at TradeKing. When an account is opened up at TradeKing or at any broke... more
The Fig Leaf Fell Off
TradeKing Sr. Options Analyst Brian Overby fields a question from the Trader Network from an options trader whose spread hasn't gone as planned. Some trades just go bad on you, plain and simple... more
Weekly Option Contracts How to Video
This video provides a background for WEEKLYSsm. Weeklys are options that expire each week. These products allow option traders to trade expiration week, every week if they choose. This flexibility... more
Options Playbook Webinar Series - Year in Review
Brian Overby recaps his free on-demand options playbook webinar series As the New Year kicks off I thought I'd do a recap of The Options Playbook webinar series. The first on-demand video for... more
Bull Call Spreads How to Video
This video covers the basics of the Bull Call Spread. A bull call spread involves the purchase of a call option on a particular underlying stock or index, while simultaneously writing a call option... more
How to Place a Stop-Loss Order on a Covered Call
Is it possible to place a stop-loss order on a covered call position? Yes! TK's Brian Overby describes how to use a contingent order to place a "stop-loss order" to unwind a covered call positi... more
Maybe Time for Longer Term Straddles & Strangles...
When market direction is uncertain, but conditions are anything but calm, what's an option trader to do? Two strategies that might fit are longer term straddles or strangles. I've been blog... more
Placing Contingent Stop Orders on Spreads
TradeKing potentially makes trading easier for the advanced option trader with an upgrade to the contingent order feature. TK's Brian Overby describes how to use this new contingent order featu... more
Groupon IPO and Listed Options
After a successful IPO on November 4th, Groupon (GRPN) options traded for the first time on Monday. TK's Brian Overby outlines some points to remember if you're interested in trading option... more
A possible trade for Volatile Markets: Back Spreads in BAC
TradeKing's "Options Guy" Brian Overby describes an option strategy that could be handy during turbulent market conditions: the back spread. In light of the recent market volatility caused by ... more
My Top 5 Options Resources
TradeKing Sr. Options Analyst Brian Overby recaps his top 5 go-to sites and resources for options trading info What's in your browser bookmarks? If you're new to options trading, you may not be ... more
Are You Following TradeKing's YouTube Channel Yet?
TradeKing's Brian Overby recaps the free trading education you can tap into every week This market's unusually high volatility has investors and traders wondering what their next move should be. ... more
