Options Cafe blog - options trading education and strategies

We like to explore, educate, and share ideas involving options trading. Come along with us on
our journey to demystify the complex yet rewarding world of options trading.

Education

  1. How to Trade Earnings with Straddles and Strangles
    How to Trade Earnings with Straddles and Strangles

    American corporations release their earnings reports every 3 months. The data gives investors an idea of how well the companies are doing financially. If an earnings announcement contains any information traders weren’t expecting, the stock price could plummet or skyrocket, depending on whether the release is negative or positive.

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  2. The Long Calendar Spread Explained
    The Long Calendar Spread Explained

    Instead of trading stocks or other securities, why not trade time? The long calendar spread allows you to buy and sell option contracts with different expiration dates, with the likelihood of profiting from time decay. The maximum loss of this strategy is capped at the net debit the investment incurs at the entry point.

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  3. Jumping From Stock Investing to Options Trading
    Jumping From Stock Investing to Options Trading

    Many stock traders are jumping into options trading. Options offer a fantastic way to diversify and to produce extraordinary returns. Let’s look at the key differences between options and stocks, and why so many stock traders are becoming options traders.

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  4. How to Profit with a Short Calendar Spread
    How to Profit with a Short Calendar Spread

    The short calendar spread is a good opportunity to profit from a stock’s impending upswing or decline. The maximum gain from the investment is the net credit received when entering the trade, and the maximum loss could be substantial. Therefore, this option strategy should only be used by experienced traders.

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  5. Introduction to the Butterfly Spread Strategy
    Introduction to the Butterfly Spread Strategy
    An introduction to the butterfly spread, a neutral low-risk options strategy using four contracts to profit when a stock’s price stays stable.
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  6. How Does Volatility Affect Option Prices
    How Does Volatility Affect Option Prices

    There are six variables that determine an option’s theoretical value. But, theoretical value is not the same things as market value. The thing that links theoretical and market value together is one key variable out of the whole mix. This one key variable is volatility and it has a huge influence on how an option is going to trade.

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  7. Learning The Short Butterfly Strategy
    Learning The Short Butterfly Strategy

    The short butterfly option trading strategy is a good way to earn small profits, while keeping downside risk to a bare minimum. If you think a stock is set to experience a sizeable move, either up or down, break out your short butterfly playbook.

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  8. A Quick Guide to Paper Trading Options & Newbie Investing
    A Quick Guide to Paper Trading Options & Newbie Investing
    Paper trading options is one of the best ways I know to learn the ropes risk-free before risking real money, and here is how I put it to work.
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  9. Trading Option Greeks : An Example Trade
    Trading Option Greeks : An Example Trade

    Knowing how the Greeks influence premium is not academic. Understanding how they are likely to affect your next trade is a critical component of that trade’s set up. You should always perform an analysis of the Greeks before you send an order to your broker. Here are some important things to look for.

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  10. The Butterfly Spread is a Great Low-Risk Investing Strategy
    The Butterfly Spread is a Great Low-Risk Investing Strategy

    If you want a conservative option investment that controls losses, take a look at the butterfly strategy. This derivative tactic comes with finite profitability, but also downside protection. The butterfly play is best for stocks that have low volatility.

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