Educational Videos

August 28, 2009

1100

The following is a collection of podcasts and videos from the Options Clearing Corporation and selected others.

The cover a lot of ground and new ones are occasionally added to their site. They are not as good as the coursework from MarketTamer, who are Option Sage’s excellent group but these are free (as opposed to $99 a month with Sage’s PSW special) so take a peek at the subjects that interest you:

First up is a very good introduction to options basics from Adam Lass, a very good overview. His next episode is the basics of call options – hopefully he’ll do more. Then we have the podcasts from OCC:

Options Webcasts

	Buying Equity Call Options
Join OIC Instructor Dan Passarelli of the Chicago Board Options Exchange 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.

	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.

	Exchange Traded Funds
In this webcast, OIC Instructor Dan Passarelli of the Chicago Board Options Exchange 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.

	Equity Options Expiration
Marty Kearney of the Chicago Board Options Exchange gives an overview of equity option expiration. Clarify your understanding of expiration day itself, as well as "expiration Friday," the day before when equity options last trade and may be exercised. Learn about the mechanics and financial consequences of exercise and assignment, and which expiring equity options might be exercised automatically. Also, gain a better understanding of “Triple Witching Day” and the impact it can have on stock and option prices.

	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.

	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.

What’s Happening in the Market with Dan Sheridan – October 2008

Also, my "friendbuddypal" Jim Cramer has a show that was dedicated to the right way and wrong way to watch his show and, althogh I generally can’t stand Jim, I will say that there are many valid points he makes here in telling people simple things like: You can’t follow every trade; Stay diversified; Have a plan etc. that is relevant for anyone who is following someone else’s trade ideas and it’s well worth watching: