Investopedia

Options And Futures Articles

  1. Increase Your Profits With Soft Or Mental Stops

    A soft stop provides a trader with added flexibility, allowing him to react to ongoing changes in the market.
  2. Is Gold A Safe Investment?

    Gold is widely thought to be a safe investment - but is it right for everyone?
  3. The Volatility Index: Reading Market Sentiment

    Using the Volatility Index can be essential for investing success.
  4. 5 Lessons From The World's Biggest Bankruptcies

    We can learn of investing strategies by studying previous financial disasters.
  5. When Insiders Buy, Should Investors Join Them?

    Insider tracking can inform your investment strategy, but it requires research and a level head. Find out what to look for.
  6. 6 Tips For Protecting Your Home's Value

    New taxes, property values, appraisals, community changes and nearby abandoned foreclosures can all lower your home's value. Take proactive steps to protect it.
  7. Demo Accounts A Good (But Imperfect) Indicator Of Investing Skills

    Scoring huge profits in a demo account doesn't mean you can expect this performance in real trading.
  8. Trade Smarter With Equivalent Positions

    Understanding the concept of equivalent positions will help you trade more efficiently and save money on trade fees.
  9. Using Technical Analysis In The Gold Markets

    The quest for this shiny commodity has made millionaires of paupers and, on the flip side, ruined many an investor.
  10. The Only 3 Money Lessons Your Kids Need

    These three principles apply to all financial decisions, making your money talk with your kids simple and effective.
  11. Profiting From A Consumerless Recovery

    Recovering from an economic slump isn't the easiest thing to do, but here are a few potential methods of rebuilding.
  12. 5 Holiday-Inspired Investment Ideas

    Here are some ideas that could add profit to your own stocking this holiday season.
  13. Sorting Out Cult Stocks

    Is that crazy product going to be the next big thing? Learn how to evaluate these companies here.
  14. 5 Careers That Thrive On The Holiday Season

    While you are spending, these careers are making big bucks.
  15. Market-Based Asset Allocation Lowers Your Risk

    Not all investors are incredibly brave with their money. Thankfully, there are ways to measure your risk level.
  16. The Ins And Outs Of Selling Options

    Selling options can seem intimidating but with these tips, you can enter the market with confidence.
  17. Real Estate Rebound Has Weak Foundation

    Are we on the road to recovery or just pausing before the next stage of decline.
  18. Backdating: Insight Into A Scandal

    Any time money is involved, a scandal is sure to follow. Find out how a university study blew the cover off this one.
  19. Why Wages Stick When The Economy Shifts

    Even economists can't agree on the impact (or even existence) of wage stickiness. So, how does it affect you?
  20. 8 Small Towns With High Employment Rates

    For higher employment rates, small towns are usually the right place to look.
  21. Insurance 101 For Renters

    If it's time for you to leave the nest, find out how to protect your new home from disaster.
  22. Mutual Fund Style Drift Not Always A Bad Thing

    Style drift has a bad reputation, but it can be a sign that your fund is thriving.
  23. The Lowdown On Index Funds

    If you can't beat the market, why not join it? Read on to go over your options.
  24. 11 Fears That Rattle Potential Investors

    From Wall Street ghouls to zombie banks, there are a lot of frightening things scaring people away from investing.
  25. Market Problems? Blame Investors

    Investors are only human, and their irrational behavior can often move the market.
  26. Top 6 Scariest Neighborhoods For Homebuyers

    If you're looking for a spooky spot this Halloween, these communities boast the most horrifying foreclosure rates in the country
  27. 5 Money-Saving Shopping Tips

    Reducing the amount you spend is the easiest way to make your money grow.
  28. Debit Spreads: A Portfolio Loss Protection Plan

    There are ways to control risks, reduce losses and increase the likelihood of success in your portfolio. Find out how spreads can help.
  29. Score A Cheap Mortgage

    Hidden costs can create what looks like a good deal. Find out how to find the best mortgage possible.
  30. 10 Jobs With High Pay, Low Education Requirements

    Not all careers require extensive education. These are some jobs that, with the proper training, can launch your professional life.
  31. Improving Your Investing Outlook

    Looking to the past to predict the future is not always effective - for a balanced outlook on investing, all viewpoints must be observed.
  32. 10 Simple Steps To Financial Security Before 30

    Find out how to reach your long-term goals without becoming a tightwad.
  33. The Spookiest Days On Wall Street

    These days are what traders' nightmares are made of.
  34. The Hidden Costs Of Renting The Basement

    There's more to being a landlord than just collecting rent every month.
  35. For Maximum Market Returns, Get Creative With Hedges

    Proper hedges help to contain your losses while still allowing profits to grow.
  36. Payday Loans Don't Pay

    Hold too tightly to this rescue line and you'll soon be drowning in debt.
  37. Governance Pays

    Learn about how the way a company keeps its management in check can affect the bottom line.
  38. Going All-In: Comparing Investing And Gambling

    People often compare stocks to gambling, but how close are they really?
  39. 6 Asset Allocation Strategies That Work

    Your portfolio's asset mix is a key factor in whether it's profitable. Find out how to get this delicate balance right.
  40. Cutting Personal Care Costs: It's A Beautiful Thing

    You may feel there's no question that your complex beauty regimen is paying off ... but at what cost?
  41. 50 Years Of Consumer Spending

    Financially, decade has it MUCH worse than our parents and grandparents did, right? You may be surprised.
  42. Top Holiday Budget Busters

    We all know the holidays are pricey, but how much are Americans really spending and on what?
  43. Avoid Premature Exercise On Employee Stock Options

    With early exercise, you forfeit some profit back to your employer, and incur income tax to boot.
  44. Savings Accounts Not Always The Best Place For Cash Assets

    Money market funds may be all that stands between you and increasing your wealth.
  45. 5 Ways Winter Can Help Your Portfolio

    Use the winter downtime to improve your investing knowledge and technique.
  46. 9 Weird Companies That Hit The Big Time

    From shipwreck explorers to bowling lanes, just about any company can be publicly traded.
  47. Breaking Down The U.S. Budget Deficit

    Find out why this particular piece of national financing gets so much attention from the media and investors.
  48. Lifetime Income Annuities: The Instant Pension Plan

    If you are looking for a retirement play with a guaranteed structure payout, lifetime income annuities could be the answer.
  49. Financial Fraud: Don't Let It Happen To You

    When the economy is struggling, scammers come out of the woodwork to prey on the desperate. Don't be another casualty!
  50. Lending Clubs: Better Than Banks?

    If you need to borrow money and your credit is making it tough, this new option may be just what you're looking for.
  51. Does Slow-And-Steady Win The Investing Race?

    Sometimes the best investing method is a mix of active and passive investing.
  52. 4 Reasons To Hold Onto An Option

    There are times when an investor shouldn't exercise an option. Find out when to hold and when to fold.
  53. Cut Taxes With An Energy-Efficient Home

    A greener home can mean more green in your pocket this tax season.
  54. Conquering The Terms Of Your Mortgage

    Buyers with big down payments should get the best mortgage terms. Unfortunately, the equation isn't that simple.
  55. Beyond Money: How 10 Top-Paying Companies Stack Up

    We look at how these top-paying companies stack up in terms of benefits, work environment and incentive plans.
  56. Where Can Americans Go for Cheaper Healthcare?

    With the rising cost of healthcare at home, Americans are looking abroad for their medical care.
  57. Are You And Your Bank All A-Twitter?

    As Twitter's popularity grows, even the banks are getting on board.
  58. Bankruptcy Filing Changes That Could Affect You

    When the economy is down, more people file for bankruptcy. Make sure you know about the changes that have been made to this process.
  59. 4 Retirement Reality Checks

    If you hope to enjoy a comfortable retirement, it's time to get real. Here are four cold, hard truths every soon-to-be retiree must face.
  60. Live Longer, Retire Younger: Can You Do It?

    Use this vehicle to make sure your payout lasts as long as you do.
  61. Free Market Maven: Milton Friedman

    As proponent of free market capitalism, this economist changed the way the world's economies operate.
  62. Damage Control For A Busted Budget

    Budgets break down all the time. Here are some ways to get it back on track.
  63. Can You Count On Your Pension?

    We look at how to determine the health of your company's pension plan, and what to do if things are looking grim.
  64. Costless Collars: Because Asset Allocation Is Not Enough

    Collars are extremely flexible, and can be much more beneficial to your portfolio than asset allocation.
  65. Variable Annuities: The Do-It-Yourself Pension Plan

    Variable annuities can cost more than mutual funds, but that might be worth the protection they can add to your retirement.
  66. When Wall Street Loses, CEOs Still Win

    Despite the record losses that occurred in the financial sector, many executives still received huge bonuses.
  67. Financial Capitalism Opens Doors To Personal Fortune

    The Industrial Revolution introduced a new age of investing and financial self sufficiency.
  68. Tailoring Your Investment Plan

    Start your own investing adventure with the help of some simple guidelines.
  69. Mergers: The Sign Of Economic Recovery?

    Recent mergers by big players show economic optimism.
  70. Soda Tax: Penalizing The Pudgy

    Soda contributes to obesity, tooth decay and bone loss. Will taxing it help alleviate the strain on the healthcare system?
  71. Understanding The Consumer Confidence Index

    We look at this closely watched economic indicator to see what it means and how it's calculated.
  72. Retirement Savings Tips For 25- To 34-Year-Olds

    Keep saving when mortgages, marriages and debt demand your attention.
  73. Expensing Employee Stock Options: Is There A Better Way?

    In 2009, Senators Carl Levin and John McCain introduced a bill to stop the excessive deductions for ESOs. But is there another solution?
  74. Look Smart: Financial Calculations You Can Do In Your Head

    Ditch your financial calculator and use these handy tips for estimating complex financial calculations on the fly.
  75. When You Can't Pay Uncle Sam

    If you can't pay your taxes, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Discover your options here.
  76. 401(k): An Accidental Solution To The Retirement Problem

    The 401(k) is often a poor substitute for the defined-benefit plans it replaced, but there are steps you can take to make yours better.
  77. Introduction To Put Writing

    Learn about a strategy that may be appropriate if you have a positive outlook on a stock.
  78. Rules For Post-Recession Investing

    Market volatility causes investors to lose confidence, yet history shows that market exposure is the path to returns.
  79. Forecast The FX Market With The COT Report

    Three empirical findings on futures data can help currency traders determine buy and sell points.
  80. What Is A Registered Investment Advisor?

    Hoping for a career in the financial services industry? Working for an RIA may fit the bill.
  81. Cyclical Versus Non-Cyclical Stocks

    Investing during an economic downturn simply means changing your focus. Discover the benefits of defensive stocks.
  82. Activist Investors: A Good Or Bad Thing?

    When a large stakeholder is dissatisfied with a company's management, it may take matters into its own hands.
  83. Recession 2009: By The Numbers

    During a recession there are a lot of numbers thrown around. Find out what those economic statistics really mean.
  84. 8 Tips For Stretching Your Dining-Out Dollars

    Find out how to slash your restaurant expenses, without going hungry.
  85. Instead Of Stocks, Trade A CFD

    The benefits of these securities abound, but high leverage also magnifies potential losses.
  86. The End Of Consumer Arbitration

    In light of recent court cases, arbitration may be on its way out.
  87. Backdating Scandal Returns To The Forefront

    A new study from the University of Houston has uncovered a plethora of new companies that participated in options backdating.
  88. The Basics Of Buying Options

    Options can be an excellent addition to a portfolio. Find out how to get started.
  89. New Healthcare Plan Taxing To All

    The idea that only the rich will be taxed for healthcare is as suspect as the idea that healthcare quality won't change.
  90. Target Strategies Often Miss The Mark

    Before jumping into a tailor-made asset allocation plan, do the research - it will add years to your financial health.
  91. 5 Signs Of A Pending Bull Market

    Being able to accurately spot the beginning of a bull market can be one of the most lucrative skills around.
  92. A $50,000 House - But At What Cost?

    It sounds like a great deal for a house, but you may have to sacrifice some of the items on your wish list to get it.
  93. Using LEAPS In A Covered Call Write

    Discover how strategy can help reduce your downside risk.
  94. 4 Unusual Ways To Boost Social Security Benefits

    Find out how to work the system to get the highest total benefits the law allows.
  95. Finding Your Margin Investment Sweet Spot

    Borrowing to increase profits isn't for the faint of heart, but margin trading can mean big returns.
  96. Bear Funds: A Bullish Stance On Bad Times

    Even if the market is in a decline your portfolio doesn't have to be.
  97. Tips For Resolving Disputes With Your Financial Advisor

    Before you blame your advisor for your losses, be sure you know your rights and responsibilities.
  98. Solutions For Concentrated Positions

    Learn various tactics for divesting your overexposure to any one stock.
  99. Maximize Profits With Volatility Stops

    Find out which type of volatility stop fits your trading objectives.
  100. Medical Forms May Be Hazardous To Your Financial Health

    Be sure you know what you're signing, when it comes to medical forms.
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