Industrial and Precious Metals Investing: Linking Money, Value, and Economic Growth August 25, 2022 10:57 AM   |  

The industrial and precious metals market is a key component for investing, trading, and understanding the market. Learn how this market may affect economic growth and sentiment.

4 min read  |  Futures
Bull vs. Bear Market & Other Animals of Wall Street August 16, 2022 10:28 AM   |  

Animal terms and animal references are prominent among Wall Street slang terms. Here’s a look at bulls and bears, hawks and doves, cats and dogs, sheep and pigs, and even black swans and unicorns.

5 min read  |  Trading Basics
What’s a Black Swan Event? How to Spot and Prepare for This Outlier July 12, 2022 11:28 AM   |  

What is a black swan event? Learn about black swan events and how you can attempt to protect yourself and your portfolio from adverse shocks.

4 min read  |  Portfolio Strategy
Viewing Options Volatility Through a Different Set of Lenses May 26, 2022 12:13 PM   |  

Options volatility is a popular topic among traders. Looking at volatility from a trading capital, past activity, or probability lens may give you better insight.

7 min read  |  Advanced Options Strategies
What’s the VVIX, and Why Does It Matter? April 26, 2022 10:39 AM   |  

The volatility of volatility, or VVIX, could be helpful to add to your watchlist. Learn how it measures the difference between the VVIX and VIX.

4 min read  |  thinkMoney Magazine
Vol Whisperer: How to Spot a New Volatility Regime September 27, 2021 10:15 AM   |  

Understanding the nature of volatility regimes and recognizing when it’s shifting could help unlock potential trading opportunities.

3 min read  |  thinkMoney Magazine
New Year, New You: Hitting the Reset Button January 4, 2021 10:30 AM   |  

Starting the new year fresh can be a great idea. Despite the drop and pop we saw last year, it may still be a good time to think about resetting your trading strategies and get a fresh start.

5 min read  |  thinkMoney Magazine
The Election Is Over. Perhaps It’s Time for a Portfolio Review November 17, 2020 10:30 AM   |  

A leadership change in the White House could mean a shift in policy priorities, but if you’re a long-term investor, other factors such as earnings, taxes, and interest rates may be larger concerns. Perhaps now’s the time for a post-election portfolio review.

5 min read  |  Economic Trends
VIX Options, VIX Futures, and Mini VIX Futures: Casting a Wide Volatility Net October 5, 2020 10:30 AM   |  

Learn how the VIX, VIX futures, and VIX options work together to help traders increase market awareness, make more informed options trading decisions, and employ trading strategies.

7 min read  |  Futures
What's Shakin'? Volatility, That's What. September 28, 2020 10:30 AM   |  

Traders tend to equate high volatility with fear. But volatility can also mean possible trading opportunities. So, instead of avoiding high volatility, learn to use it in your options trading.

5 min read  |  thinkMoney Magazine
How the Presidential Election Could Affect the Stock Market & Your Portfolio September 10, 2020 10:30 AM   |  

The U.S. election could affect the stock market with volatility. Use your long-term investment goals as your guide.

5 min read  |  Portfolio Strategy
Republicrat or Democan? How to Manage an Election Trade June 29, 2020 9:30 AM   |  

The stock markets care about who wins the 2020 U.S. presidential elections. Stock traders look for potential trading opportunities regardless of who wins the elections. Look for clues within each of the party lines so you can be better prepared to face the election results.

5 min read  |  thinkMoney Magazine
Vol Whisperer: Tricks with VIX and the Rule of 16 June 29, 2020 9:30 AM   |  

The volatility Rule of 16 can be useful when figuring out how much an options price is likely to move especially during earnings. This can be helpful in planning trading entry and exit points.

5 min read  |  thinkMoney Magazine
Vol Whisperer: So Many Vol Readings. Which One Do I Use? March 30, 2020 9:30 AM   |  

Different volatility numbers tell you different things. Is one more useful than another? Let's find out.

5 min read  |  thinkMoney Magazine
Good Eye, Trader: How to Pick the Right Stocks at the Right Time February 18, 2020 10:30 AM   |  

Looking to pick stocks worth trading? You can lay the groundwork for a sound stock selection strategy with a few relatively simple components.

9 min read  |  Options Trading Basics
Special Focus: Trading Volatility Products January 6, 2020 9:30 AM   |  

There are many volatility products that are derived from or correlated to the VIX. Understanding the relationship between these products can help identify their pros, cons, and risks.

5 min read  |  thinkMoney Magazine
Volmageddon: How to Trade a Crash September 30, 2019 10:15 AM   |  

If the markets are crashing, do you close your positions or do you take advantage of opportunities? Whether you are a stock investor, volatility trader, or speculator, there may be a strategy worth pursuing.

3 min read  |  thinkMoney Magazine
Vol Whisperer: Do Vol and Price Tango? September 30, 2019 10:15 AM   |  

Volatility affects options prices to some extent but avoid focusing on it to map your strategies.

3 min read  |  thinkMoney Magazine
Luck of the Draw? There's a Lot More to Trading and Investing than Luck August 19, 2019 11:07 AM   |  

Investing results may depend to some extent on luck, but research and science play a larger role in portfolio strategy.

2 min read  |  Trading Psychology
Market Volatility: Can Robo-Advisors Help Avoid Emotional Trading? April 29, 2019 4:00 AM   |  

Trading with your emotions during times of market volatility? Explore whether a robo-advisor may be able to help.

5 min read  |  Investment Guidance
Singing the Low-Volatility Blues? Try Calendar Spreads April 15, 2019 4:00 AM   |  

Learn how a long calendar spread can be effective in a low-volatility trading environment.

4 min read  |  Advanced Options Strategies
Four Big Myths About Volatility and How to Debunk Them October 1, 2018 3:00 AM   |  

When markets are volatile you may hear the media come up with different explanations. But how reliable is that information? There are four myths about volatility you may often hear and why they may not necessarily be true.

6 min read  |  thinkMoney Magazine
Vol Whisperer: Volatility Watch October 1, 2018 3:00 AM   |  

The VIX often makes explosive moves. What do these types of moves mean?

3 min read  |  thinkMoney Magazine
Same Building Blocks, Different Products: Options on Futures Intro September 26, 2018 4:00 AM   |  

Learn the differences between equity options and options on futures contracts, and how experienced options traders can use futures options to enhance their trading.

4 min read  |  Futures
Geopolitical Risks and Your Portfolio: Navigating an Unpredictable World August 30, 2018 4:00 AM   |  

Geopolitical risks come in many forms, and can impact an investment portfolio in a number of ways. Here are a few basic points to consider.

5 min read  |  Economic Trends
Currency Volatility World Tour: Foreign Exchange (Forex) Volatility August 2, 2018 4:00 AM   |  

Learn about the dynamics of foreign exchange volatility, and where to find currency volatility data.

3 min read  |  Forex
Options Volatility Q&A: VIX, Skew, and the Rule of 16 July 25, 2018 4:00 AM   |  

Do you follow the VIX as a volatility measure? Ever heard of the rule of 16? How about volatility skew? Learn how to apply these concepts to options trading.

2 min read  |  Options Trading Basics
Vol Whisperer: Mean Reversion—What It Means or Doesn't Mean January 7, 2018 11:00 PM   |  

Do you know how to measure mean reversions? It's a popular investment strategy used by market traders around the world. Find out how you can use it.

2 min read  |  Advanced Options Strategies
Derivatives With a Twist: Options on Futures vs. Equity Options December 6, 2017 11:00 PM   |  

Options on futures are quite similar to their equity option cousins, but a few differences do exist.

6 min read  |  Advanced Options Strategies
Volanthology World Tour: Foreign Exchange Volatility October 5, 2017 12:00 AM   |  

Learn about the dynamics of foreign exchange volatility, and where to find currency volatility data.

3 min read  |  Forex
Neutral Spreads Get Tasty: Diagonals and Iron Condors October 1, 2017 11:00 PM   |  

Are you getting the most out of your iron condor stock trades? Double diagonals could help you do just that. Learn more about options trading.

9 min read  |  Advanced Options Strategies
Vol Whisperer: You’re So VIXed—VIX Futures, VIX Options October 1, 2017 11:00 PM   |  

Volatility is an important market indicator. If you're making one of these common VIX mistakes, it could cost you a great deal.

3 min read  |  Advanced Options Strategies
Volanthology: A Tour of VIX and Other Volatility Indexes September 15, 2017 12:00 AM   |  

Learn about the VIX and other volatility indexes and how some investors use them to assess potential risk.

4 min read  |  Options Trading Basics
Term Structure and Covered Calls in a Low-Volatility Environment August 17, 2017 12:00 AM   |  

When stuck in a low-volatility environment, check out the term structure. You might consider alternative covered call strategies.

3 min read  |  Advanced Options Strategies
Are You Missing the Forest for the Trades? July 24, 2017 12:00 AM   |  

Instead of hyper-focusing on one position at a time, look at your entire portfolio and try to figure out a better hedge—here's some tools and tweaks to help.

8 min read  |  Advanced Options Strategies
Vol Whisperer: VVIX and Skew—I’m Watching You April 16, 2017 11:00 PM   |  

Can you calculate fear? Certain market measures help traders determine when the market seems “fearful.” Learn to do this for yourself to better evaluate risk.

2 min read  |  Options Trading Basics
Clocking In and Out: Trying to Time the Market? There May Be Ways March 16, 2017 12:00 AM   |  

Are you a long-term investor hoping to use time to your advantage? Don’t chase trends, and especially don’t try to time the market. There are other ways.

6 min read  |  Portfolio Strategy
Vol Whisperer: Volatility Unleashed January 8, 2017 11:00 PM   |  

If you have a futures account and understand VIX, you might be ready for a covered call in volatility—long /VX futures and short VIX calls.

2 min read  |  Advanced Options Strategies
The Trader's Cure For the Volatility Blues April 12, 2016 4:00 AM   |  

Potential strategies for a depressed VIX—When volatility is low, learn how to hedge a trader's version of "yield" by trading volatility as an asset class.

10 min read  |  Advanced Options Strategies
With VIX Options, What You See Isn’t Always What You Get December 31, 2015 11:00 PM   |  

When the VIX is not really the VIX… Before trading VIX options, know that options you're trading aren't likely for the chart you're seeing.

2 min read  |  Advanced Options Strategies
Tricks of Traders Fund Managers Only Dream Of December 31, 2015 11:00 PM   |  

A trader's job can be easier than an average mutual fund manager's—A few reasons the playing field for traders is more than leveled.

6 min read  |  Options Trading Basics
Bye-Bye, Open Outcry. In Options, Human Touch Still Matters February 19, 2015 4:00 AM   |  

The complex nature of the options markets means there’s still a place for human-to-human interaction.

3 min read  |  Trading Basics
Option Strategies to Help Protect Your Portfolio February 5, 2015 8:00 AM   |  

Basic options strategies can help investors protect portfolios against inevitable market volatility and market crashes.

5 min read  |  Portfolio Strategy
VIX Futures: The Unfair Advantage January 1, 2014 4:43 PM   |  

I was happy when CBOE VIX futures were added to TD Ameritrade’s thinkorswim® platform. So, it’s not running with the bulls in Pamplona. But I’m a trader...

7 min read  |  Futures
Overcoming Fear: Selling Naked Puts with Your Pants On July 1, 2013 5:36 PM   |  

The first step to overcoming any fear is understanding what you're dealing with. With short-naked puts, that means understanding the strategy and the risks.

2 min read  |  Trading Psychology

Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

Content intended for educational/informational purposes only. Not investment advice, or a recommendation of any security, strategy, or account type.

Be sure to understand all risks involved with each strategy, including commission costs, before attempting to place any trade. Clients must consider all relevant risk factors, including their own personal financial situations, before trading.

adChoicesAdChoices

Market volatility, volume, and system availability may delay account access and trade executions.

Past performance of a security or strategy does not guarantee future results or success.

Options are not suitable for all investors as the special risks inherent to options trading may expose investors to potentially rapid and substantial losses. Options trading subject to TD Ameritrade review and approval. Please read Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options before investing in options.

Supporting documentation for any claims, comparisons, statistics, or other technical data will be supplied upon request.

This is not an offer or solicitation in any jurisdiction where we are not authorized to do business or where such offer or solicitation would be contrary to the local laws and regulations of that jurisdiction, including, but not limited to persons residing in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, UK, and the countries of the European Union.

TD Ameritrade, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC, a subsidiary of The Charles Schwab Corporation. © 2024 Charles Schwab & Co. Inc. All rights reserved.

Scroll to Top