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OIC Options Education Webcasts


OIC presents Interactive Online Webcasts
We now offer over a dozen interactive webcasts covered topics such as:

  • Options Fundmentals
  • Options Myths
  • The Psychology of Trading
  • Equity Collars
  • Many more (see full listing below)

To view our webcasts you must create a (free) OIC Select account. Your free OIC Select account gives you immediate access to select OIC content such as premium webcasts and podcasts. If you have questions, please email options@theocc.com or contact our options specialists at (888) OPTIONS.

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Video Webcasts

Contract Adjustments
Mike Babel of the American Stock Exchange discusses new methods that are now in place for contract adjustments and important must-knows for understanding the process. Find out how contracts are adjusted and see real-life examples such as a 2 for 1 and a 4 for 1 stock split. Learn about other adjustment methods that are in place in the event of a merger or takeover and how they can impact your investment. Login to OIC Select and Watch Now

Dealing with a Down Market
Dan Sheridan of Sheridan Options Mentoring discusses the importance of having a strategy to follow when the market is down. Using a real-life, historical example of Russell 2000® Index options, you will hear ideas on how to adjust your position after a big underlying move. Learn Dan’s tried and true tips for survival in a volatile market. Login to OIC Select and Watch Now

Implied Volatility & Profit/Loss
Options instructor Steve Meizinger of the International Securities Exchange discusses implied volatility as it relates to historical and expected volatility. Steve will also discuss how implied volatility can affect the profit and loss of your options positions. Learn how changing implied volatility's effect on options prices can be quantified through the concept of Vega, one of the Greeks. You'll be introduced to the generally-expected behavior of implied volatility in today's market, and how to prepare yourself to take advantage of its changing levels. Login to OIC Select and Watch Now

Market Data
In this webcast, join Dan Sheridan of Sheridan Options Mentoring, for a lively discussion of implied volatility as it relates to your expectations for profit vs. loss in two situations. First, Dan will give an example of a time spread on a well-known index taken from mid-May, and the effect of typical summer volatility behavior on its profitability. Second, using past announcements by a well-known tech stock, Dan will make observations on trading earnings reports, and the surprises you might expect with respect to options price behavior. Take this opportunity to learn how you might avoid typical implied volatility traps - seasonal and situational. Login to OIC Select and Watch Now

Options Myths
You've probably heard that options trading is risky and only for the seasoned trader. Or that options traders lose money because most options contracts expire worthless. Now hear the real truth as OIC instructor Marty Kearney of the Chicago Board Options Exchange dispels the myths that often deter investors from trading options. Investing in options is often less risky than investing in stocks and this webcast will explain why - along with other facts about options that may be shrouded in myths. Login to OIC Select and Watch Now

Trading Mechanics
In this webcast, OIC instructor Al Brinkman of the Philadelphia Stock Exchange teaches you the importance of choosing an appropriate options strategy as it relates to your investment expectations. You'll also learn about exercise and assignment, the risk of long and short positions, and the importance of an exit strategy. Login to OIC Select and Watch Now

The Options Basics Webcast

Options BasicsThe Options Industry Council (OIC) is conducting a pilot webcast utilizing new technology and interactive elements. This webcast covers Options Basics and is presented by Bill Ryan, a member of our OIC Help Desk (1-888-OPTIONS). This high resolution, Flash-based webcast brings you the fundamentals of options with vivid examples, diagrams, and interactive participation. From the history of options to the basics of puts and calls, Bill Ryan engages you in a webcast unlike anything we've offered before.

Equity LEAPS Options
Join OIC Instructor Steve Meizinger of the International Securities Exchange in this on-demand webcast, "Equity LEAPS." Steve will discuss how LEAPS— Long-Term Equity AnticiPation Securities—differ from regular, short-term equity options, including how LEAPS offer more leverage and time until expiration. He will also explain the difference between long and short LEAPS options. Login to OIC Select and Watch Now

The Psychology of Trading
The Options Industry Council is proud to present its latest webcast: the Psychology of Trading. In this webcast, OIC instructor Amy Farnstrom of NYSE Arca teaches you the key points about the what makes a great trader including: commitment to excellence, mastery of emotions, probabilistic thinking, understanding and ability to control one’s own thought processes, staying in the moment, and executing a trading plan without fail. Login to OIC Select and Watch Now

Buying Equity Call Options
Join OIC Instructor Dan Passarelli in this on-demand webcast, "Buying Equity Call Options." Dan will discuss when to use the long call strategy and how it works, including the benefits and trade-offs. He will also explain the exercise process with this option position. You'll see examples on how the long call performs in favorable and adverse market situations and learn basic position management concepts for this strategy. Login to OIC Select and Watch Now

Repair & Exit Strategies
In this webcast, OIC instructor Dan Passarelli teaches you the importance of developing repair and exit strategies before you begin investing in options. You'll learn about forseeing possible outcomes, understanding your risks versus your rewards and when to utilize long and short options. He will also teach you when to do nothing and when to double up, or buy more, when stock prices decline as well as how to exit with a long call or put position at or near expiration. Login to OIC Select and Watch Now

Exchange Traded Funds
In this webcast, OIC Instructor Dan Passarelli explains that ETF options provide a wide array of opportunities to act on your broad market or sector forecasts. Bullish on Internet stocks? Bearish on the retail sector? Think the broad market is going nowhere? Passerelli discusses how you can position yourself for a potential profit, with only one trade and the controlled risk that options can offer. Covered ETF call options and cash-secured ETF puts are also discussed. Login to OIC Select and Watch Now

Equity Collars
In this webcast, OIC instructor Amy Farnstrom of the NYSE/Arca teaches you the basics of equity collars and the benefits and drawbacks of using them. You'll learn about the downside protection you should have before using collars and how to establish a collar. She will also teach you when to roll over a collar and what to do before expiration when investing in equity collars. Login to OIC Select and Watch Now

An Introduction to Options
OIC Instructor Alan Grigoletto of the Boston Options Exchange provides a basic understanding of options and how they can be used as part of your investment portfolio. What is a call? What is a put? How are options different from equities? How are options priced? Grigoletto answers these questions and more by providing essential options terminology and explaining concepts such as exercise and assignment. You'll see how and when to use basic options strategies, along with their profit and loss calculations, as a way to generate income and reduce risk. Login to OIC Select and Watch Now

Flash Webcasts

Trading Spreads

OIC Instructor Jim Bittman of the Chicago Board Options Exchange discusses 1-to-1 vertical debit spreads, including bull call spreads and bear put spreads. Learn how these strategies work, and the profit and risk potential. Bittman also discusses why these strategies are appropriate for particular market forecasts, as well as how to enter a limit-price spread order. This webcast via Interactive Brokers.

Volatility for Options Investors

OIC Instructor Alex Jacobson of the International Securities Exchange discusses volatility, and why it's important to the option trader. Jacobson discusses what strategies to consider in markets where volatility is changing, and how volatility impacts option premiums. This webcast via Interactive Brokers.

Covered Call Writing for Options Investors

OIC Instructor Steve Meizinger of the International Securities Exchange discusses Covered Calls, a popular options strategy to consider when "neutral to bullish" on a particular stock. Meizinger discusses the fundamentals of Covered Calls, including risk/reward trade-offs. Also, learn some common misconceptions of Covered Call writing. This webcast via Interactive Brokers.

Straddles and Strangles - Comparing and Contrasting These Two Volatility Strategies

Presented by OIC Instructor Al Brinkman. This webcast via Interactive Brokers.