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Don't miss your chance to attend one of the OIC's free options seminars this Spring! Seminars will run through mid-June, after which we will take a short summer break until mid-September. Visit www.888options.com for the latest seminar schedule and to sign up for a class!

Interested in trading options, but don't know where to start? Options University has just the class for you! The Options Basics class starts with the most basic concepts about options - what option contracts are, what it means to buy and sell one, how and when you might want to exercise one, and what happens during the exercise settlement process. From pure option theory to a brief introduction to the mechanics of the options marketplace, this class can provide you the foundation you need for using options in your portfolio.

Visit Options University to take the Options Basics class!

It's not too late to order your copy of "An Investor's Guide to Trading Options," which was developed by Lightbulb Press, the creators of The Wall Street Journal Guide to Money & Investing, in collaboration with The Options Industry Council. This handy 64-page guide: Explains what options are and how they work. Provides real-world investing scenarios. Describes options strategies for various markets. Order today at 888options.com or call 1-888-OPTIONS.

The FREE Options Investigator is a comprehensive options learning tool that tailors itself to your learning style and skill level by incorporating the use of audio and video while you explore each subject. You will find a full range of options topics including:
Position Simulator Interactive Strategy Analyzer Quizzes Extensive Glossary Comprehensive Resource Library Order today at 888options.com or call 1-888-OPTIONS.

April 25, 2005 - The more affluent, active, and strategic investors are using options as part of a more diverse portfolio, according to the results of the latest study of options users conducted by Harris Interactive, Inc. [ Read More ]

May 4, 2005 - The Options Industry Council (OIC) announced that equity options trading in April rose 18.39 percent over April 2004. The banner month included a new record volume day and three consecutive trading days that produced new "top 10" volume day records. [ Read More ]

Visit the Press Room for more OIC News.

R.F. Lafferty will be hosting an all-day, all-options, free educational seminar on Sunday, June 5, 2005, at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City. Learn from guest speakers such as Marshall Kearney (CBOE), Larry McMillan (McMillan Analysis Corporation), Price Headley (BigTrends.com), and William Johnson (21st Century Options). The event is free, but space is limited, so register for the 1st Annual R.F. Lafferty Options Guru Conference today!

The OIC's free educational option seminars are taught by exchange professionals and held throughout the U.S. and Canada. We will be taking a summer break from mid-June until mid-September. Remaining Spring classes will be held in the following cities from May 10 through June 9: Baltimore, MD, Houston, TX, Dallas, TX, Los Angeles, CA, Schaumburg, IL, Las Vegas, NV, Phoenix, AZ, Madison, WI, Kansas City, KS, and St. Louis, MO. Check here to see if OIC is headed to a city near you.

Q:	When are the exchanges going to list 2008 LEAPS®?
A:	Notice that January expirations for Cycle 1 are normally listed after the May options expire. Since January 2007 LEAPS® are already trading, the following schedule is used to introduce a new series of LEAPS®: Cycle 1: Monday, May 16: January 2006 LEAPS® meld* Monday, May 23: Regular January Cycle 1 expirations listed Tuesday, May 31: January 2008 LEAPS® listed (May 30th is Memorial Day holiday) Cycle 2: Monday, June 13: January 2006 LEAPS® meld* Monday, June 20: February expirations listed Monday, June 27: January 2008 LEAPS® listed Cycle 3: Monday, July 11: January 2006 LEAPS® meld* Monday, July 18: March expirations listed Monday, July 25: January 2008 LEAPS® listed Please note that for Cycle 2 and Cycle 3 options, after the new LEAPS® have been listed, there will be an extra month available (2 short-term expirations, 2 cycle expirations, 2 LEAPS® expirations, AND the January expiration that was originally a LEAPS®). *To meld: change the symbol on a LEAPS® option to that of a "normal" option. The terms of the option itself do not change.
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