Options And Futures Articles

There has been much debate over whether companies should treat employee stocks options as an expense. This article examines both sides of the argument.

Tax deferred annuities can be complex arrangements. Discover some of the situations that arise when an owner or annuitant dies and how to reduce tax liability if you're the beneficiary.

This trading strategy will show you how to gain from a decline in implied volatility on any movement of the underlying.

A few years ago, newly arrived investors were warned that they would lose $10,000 before they learned enough to make any money. If possible, that's not pessimistic enough.

Learn more about the position delta hedge ratio and how it can tell you the number of contracts needed to hedge a position in the underlying asset.

The weeklys are a powerful tool that can create quick profits or quick losses, depending on how you use them.

These events can precipitate a rise in the price at the pump - keep your eyes peeled

Learn how this overlooked area of trading can help improve your gains.

Global economic conditions are working to bloat our food costs. And for many, even the smallest increase in food prices can spoil the family budget.

Gemology as an investment alternative may seem glamorous, but it's not for the faint of heart.

Return on equity is a widely used ratio, but return on net operating assets (RNOA) takes things one step farther.

These investments offer more precise bets on the market, reduced fees and greater diversification to investors.

Learn about this low-risk, bearish options strategy used to speculate on major market declines.

From unemployment and inflation to government policy, learn what macroeconomics measures and how it affects everyone.

Find out how it provides futures and commodity option strategists with more bang for their margin buck!

Return on invested capital is a great way to measure the true value produced by a company. Learn to use the ROIC metric and increase your chances of finding successful investments.

Being aware of other markets and other trading methods can help traders fine tune methods, save costs and add profits.

No investor can make all of the right moves, so there are always regrets to learn from in the market.

Make sure you buy in low to ride this phenomenon for all it's worth.

At one-10th the size of regular FX contracts, the E-micros offer traders the opportunity to trade the forex in a regulated marketplace with reduced risks.

Instead of rationalizing, learn to talk yourself out of buying things you can't afford.

Find out how to trade these hog-wild commodities.

Find out what could be hidden in this often-overlooked part of the financial statements.

The pros and cons of corporate stock options have been debated since the incentive was created. Learn more about stock option basics and the cost of stock options.

Amid all of the Wall Street confusion this past year, at least commodities traders had something to celebrate.

While gold grabs the headlines, there are other commodity investments that aren't getting quite as much attention.

In a choppy market, following charts can be extremely difficult - the APZ technical indicator may become your best friend.

Binary or digital options are a simple way to trade price fluctuations in multiple global markets.

The forex market is not the only way for investors and traders to participate in foreign exchange.

Learn strategies for investing in this price-weighted index and how to interpret its movements.

Investors looking into this industry are faced with a confusing amount of information. We explain the important concepts and terms.

You have the control to determine whether you owe in April. Learn more here.

We decode the meaning of the many letters that can follow the names of financial professionals.

These contracts allow for easier shorting, and provide more leverage and flexibility than stocks.

Throughout history, gold has held its value against paper currencies. Learn how it can help offset market risks.

These investment vehicles are relatively uncommon in the United States, but they do still appear in U.S. markets.

Writing bull put credit spreads are not only limited in risk, but can profit from a wider range of market directions.

This trading strategy is an excellent limited-risk strategy that can be used with equity as well as commodity and futures options.

Learn how put options can act as insurance for volatile stocks in your portfolio.

These service charges could nickel and dime you right out of your nest egg.

There are quite a few ways to play gold using only ETFs, and here are some of the more popular ones.

Find out what type of international fund might suit your needs, in order to gain exposure to foreign markets.

Learn the contract specifications for a few of the most heavily traded commodities.

Beware of zombies and Jekyll and Hyde companies! Read about the spooky terms circulating Wall Street.

Investors should approach these markets with caution, as prices and expectations seem to be ahead of reality.

Many metals could be better investments than gold because they're more versatile and aren't as tied to investor sentiment.

If you can multi-task and you enjoy a good challenge, this lucrative career could be a perfect fit.

Gold has made gains of more than 16% since January. These tips will help you ride the gold wave.

Learn about a financial instrument that makes temperature a tradable commodity.

Observing a company's behavior can prove beneficial for the mindful investor. Know the signs before you make a reactionary move.

Know the difference between working as a broker or an insurance rep.

Variable annuities are another way to save money tax-deferred - but don't jump in blindly!

As long as the underlying stocks are of companies you are happy to own, put selling can be a lucrative strategy.

Check out some repair strategies to help boost the profit potential of a losing position.

Diversification is a vital investment tool, and well within the reach of even small investors.

Forget the cliches and uncover how much volatility you can really stand.

Even beginners may use this strategy to trade a bullish outlook.

The end of September has historically been one of the worst times in finance. Find out why.

With a single diagram, you can see how price, time and volatility affect potential gains.

Compare naked strategies to credit spreads and see if the unlimited risk of going naked is worth it.

Learn how these two statistics can give you an edge in trading options.

The reason we are still dependent on fossil fuels for energy is about as old as the fossils themselves. Read on to find out why.

Before entering this market, you should define what you need from your broker and from your strategy.

Derivatives can reduce the risks associated with changes in foreign exchange rates, interest rates and commodity prices.

Selling a greater number of options than you buy profits from a decline back to average levels of implied volatility.

This week in finance, the market was feeling the heat, the auto industry is perking up and billionaires are giving it all away.

While they may be "a girl's best friend", diamonds haven't made it to the futures market - yet.

The widespread use of corn spans from food additives to fuel, aspirin and windshield washer fluid. Find out where else it's used and the size of this growing industry.

Learn to bank short-term profits by placing stops away from the crowd.

All investors should be aware that the best time to buy stocks is when the market is tanking, according to history.

There are many key advantages offered to options traders who deal only in the underlying securities.

From bloodletting to ye olde black knights, things on Wall Street are getting downright medieval!

Learn how analyzing these variables are crucial to knowing when to exercise early.

Donchian channels, Keltner channels and STARC bands are not as well known as Bollinger bands, but they offer comparable opportunities.

These risk-exposure measurements help traders detect how sensitive a specific trade is to price, volatility and time decay.

Examining open interest on currency futures can help you confirm the strength of a trend in forex market sentiment.

Discover the advantages of this largely unexploited investment vehicle.

Using the right strategy can lower the risk of failure and protect your profits.

See the model in action with real data and evaluate whether its assumptions are valid.

Convince lenders that you're a good bet despite your lack of a steady income.

Investigators are still trying to figure out what went wrong on May 6, but it seems likely that the crash was caused by multiple interlocking failures.

Ever considered investing in real estate? Read about the REIT and see if it's the investment for you.

Options are not only trading instruments but also predictive tools that can help us gauge the feelings of traders.

Lee DeWyze worked in finance as well as in a paint store.

Buying precious metals can act as a hedge against economic turmoil.

What would the fallout be if the world's second-largest currency disappears?

It's been 10 years in the making, but you can now bet on which movies will hit it big, or which will flop.

If you think a budding artist has major potential, you may be able to invest in his or her art with these new futures contracts.

These derivatives allow investors to transfer risk, but there are many choices and factors that investors must weigh before buying in.

These investment vehicles can protect you - and even help you profit - when the real estate market falls.

Scaling up into a trade can be a lucrative strategy, but you need to understand the risks involved.

Sometimes you have to be a predator to profit. Find out how to cash in on false breakouts.

If you need liquidity and safety on a sum of money, don't forgo potential interest by keeping the funds as cash.

You've accumulated the wealth you need to retire, but how will you distribute it? We'll lay out some options.

PPNs guarantee to return at least 100% of the original investment and have the potential to return much more.

Volatility is not the only way to measure risk. Learn about the "new science of risk management".

Alert options traders can follow this strategy to improve their chances of success.