Fast matters. This maxim is true for every investor, whether you are seeking out a trade idea or relying on lightning-quick execution. With that in mind, OptionsHouse recently launched the ability to sign up for an account, fund that account, and begin trading, quickly and efficiently, with Electronic Signature.
A relatively recent development in the online world, the e-signature process offers the opportunity to securely (very securely) respond to a set of questions only the user can answer in order to verify their identity online. This allows prospective customers (and existing customers looking to set up an additional account) to safely and easily sign their name to a document and fund their account without ever picking up a pen or licking a stamp.
Any questions about how the electronic signature works? Contact an OptionsHouse customer service representative toll-free at 1-877-653-2500 during our regular hours (M-F, 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. CT, except exchange holidays). Speaking of electronic, you can also access our live help feature while you are logged into your account or send us an email at customerservice@optionshouse.com.
One of the most important aspects of a web-based trading application is the web browser itself. If web browsers were cars, some would be considered SUVs (Microsoft’s Internet Explorer) and some would be more akin to the Ferrari (Google Chrome). While it isn’t a trivial effort to make an advanced trading application work on every popular browser, it was the right thing to do. Our customers can now use OptionsHouse on Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome and Safari – our extensive testing has shown that overall performance is clearly best using Chrome.
Over the past two years, as banks and brokerages of all sizes spar with economic volatility, investors have become increasingly curious about what measures are in place to guard their funds against any unexpected tumult at their financial institutions. Thankfully, there are federal measures in place for both banking and brokerage firms.
Once you’ve done your research and made the decision to open a new brokerage account, you may want to start buying and selling right away. Similarly, if something comes up requiring quick access to liquid capital, you may want to withdraw some of your available cash. Policies put in place by clearing firms and brokerages, however, require investors to be a bit patient, regardless of which brokerage firm they choose to use. Here is a brief reminder of the rules and regulations in place at OptionsHouse. Note that the holding times can be different depending on the funding method; a bank wire provides the quickest access to your funds but typically has a processing fee associated with it.
Today’s trading tool tip is about the Day Trading counter, which you will only see if you are actually making Day Trades. It’s bold and red and hard to miss, but it’s important you know the facts about Day Trading.
As everyone knows, most investors continue to use stocks (as opposed to options) for their primary investment tool. Although options volume continues to grow each year, there are still a lot of people who do not understand what all the fuss is about. Well hopefully, I can give you a quick rundown of the reasons investors should be versed in both stock and options strategies. By “versed,” I mean educated in how options work and the potential benefits (and risks) they provide when used correctly. I do not mean, “just try and figure it out by making real trades without knowing what you are doing.”
Earlier this week, Standpoint Research upped its rating on NetEase.com (NASDAQ:NTES) to a “buy” from a “hold,” maintaining its 12-month price target of $42. The Beijing-based NTES operates an online community and e-commerce services throughout mainland China. An analyst with the firm noted that “At 10x estimates for next year, the concerns regarding margins, regulations and competition are already priced in.”
OSI – it’s the holding company for Outback Steakhouse and it could be an acronym for an obscure 80s band. But for the past several months, these three letters have stood for one thing and one thing only (for option traders and brokers, anyway): Options Symbology Initiative.
Earlier this week, Texas Instruments (NYSE:TXN) narrowed its second-quarter earnings guidance, lifting the lower end of its range to 60 cents per share from 56 cents. The expected range is now 60 to 64 cents per share, compared to analysts’ estimates of 61 cents. The company’s earnings are expected on or around July 20.
