I just bought a security in my cash account. How soon can I sell it?
Cash accounts are required to abide by industry-wide settlement rules that were established through Regulation T of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. These rules dictate that cash proceeds from Stock, ETF, and mutual fund trades will settle on the third business day after the trade date. Option trades, on the other hand, will […]
How To Trade Stocks and Options Online
The advent of online trading has opened a new world for investors. Trading stocks and options online can provide you a lot of flexibility at a lower overall cost compared to a traditional stock broker. In the past, the main way to research a stock was to try to squeeze the information out of your […]
Understanding Option Greeks and Dividends: Gamma
Keep in mind that delta is dynamic: it changes not only as the underlying stock moves, but as expiration approaches. Gamma is the Greek that determines the amount of that movement. Gamma is the amount a theoretical option’s delta will change for a corresponding one-unit (point) change in the price of the underlying security. In […]
Understanding Option Greeks and Dividends: Rho
Rho is the amount a theoretical option's price will change for a corresponding one-unit (percentage-point) change in the interest rate used to price the option contract. Typically the interest rate used here would be the risk-free rate of return. The rate associated with investing in Treasuries is traditionally defined by market experts as virtually risk-free. […]
Understanding Option Greeks and Dividends: Theta
Theta refers to time decay and is the amount a theoretical option’s price will change for a corresponding one-unit (day) change in the number of days to expiration of the option contract. Each moment that passes melts away some of the option’s value. Not only does the premium melt away, but it does so at […]
Protective Put Strategy
You buy stock because you're bullish and expect the stock's price to go up. Since you're bullish, chances are you aren't too preoccupied with the downside. But as we all know, markets can shift quickly. Puts are a handy tool to help lock in profits on your existing positions in the event of a sudden […]
Understanding Option Greeks and Dividends: Vega
Vega is one of the most important Greeks, but it often doesn’t get the respect it deserves. Vega is the amount a theoretical option’s price will change for a corresponding one-unit (percentage-point) change in the implied volatility of the option contract. Simply stated, Vega is the Greek that follows implied volatility (IV) swings. Don’t forget […]
What are unsettled funds and why am I being warned or restricted from using them?
Under Regulation T of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 all transactions in a cash account must be paid for in full and are also subject to settlement rules. If you purchase a security with settled funds in your cash account you may sell that security at any time without restriction. If you purchase […]
Differences with Buy and Long, or Sell and Short
You’ll notice sometimes an investor or trader may use the word buy while others use the word long. What’s the difference? It could be very little, or a lot, all at the same time. Buying a stock (or an option) is straightforward. It’s the resulting position which might not be obvious. As you probably have […]
ETFs for Beginners
Are you just starting with exchange-traded funds (ETFs)? If so, you may have little or no direct participation in the financial markets. Maybe you’re transitioning from a full-service brokerage or employer-sponsored retirement plan to an online service like Credence Global Bank Invest. Your investing objectives may run the spectrum from conservative to aggressive, but it’s likely you […]
