Trading $NFLX, $INTC or $ALTR?

If you’ve traded Netflix,Altera or Intel stock or their respective options lately, you’ll want to checkout this timely media commentary by TradeKing “Options Guy” Brian Overby.It’s too late this time to makea profitable bet on Netflix earnings – their latest release happened lastWednesday, Tax Day. But Brian’s comments will likely help shed some light onseveral useful topics for future trading. If you’ve ever wondered what a“straddle” is, or why options often decline rapidly after earnings – aphenomenon known as “volatility crunch” - this Wall Street Journalarticle OptionsTraders Bet on Big Swing from Netflix by Saumya Vaishampayan quotingBrian will help you understand why. Brian has posted several other good readson these topics, if you’d like to learn more:http://www.optionsplaybook.com/option-strategies/long-straddle/

http://community.tradeking.com/members/optionsguy/blogs/4156-volatility-crunch-part-3

http://community.tradeking.com/members/optionsguy/blogs/33328-volatility-crunch-tilt-and-skewMeanwhile, if you’ve everwondered what “implied volatility” (“IV”) means, you can see its effects inaction now in Altera ($ALTR) options. Rumors of the firm’s acquisition by Intel($INTC) may be temporarily squelched, but clearly investors think the dealstill might happen. In Alteradeal story far from over, options data suggest,Reuters reporter Saqib Iqbal Ahmed asks Brian to explain the concept and howelevated IV might relate to both the merger rumors and Altera earnings. Brianhas blogged a lot about IV, so if you’d like to learn more on the topic, we’vegot both articles and videos to help:http://www.optionsplaybook.com/options-introduction/what-is-volatility/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWFzxTTxP9k

https://www.tradeking.com/trading-options/how-to-use-volatility

https://www.tradeking.com/education/videos/obp-part-7-historical-and-implied-volatilityKeep trading andlearning, folks!Be Good,

Don Montanaro

CEO, TradeKing Group

www.tradeking.comFollow Don on Twitter andhone your skills at TradeKingAll-Stars. You can also follow TradeKing on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ or YouTube.[Images: Netflix, Intel, and Altera provided by company sites]Options involverisk and are not suitable for all investors. Please read Characteristics andRisks of Standardized Options available at http://www.tradeking.com/ODD.Multiple legoptions strategies involve additional risks and multiple commissions, and may result in complex tax treatments. Pleaseconsult a tax professional prior to implementing these strategies.While implied volatility represents theconsensus of the marketplace, as to the future level of stock price volatilityor probability of reaching a specific price point, there is no guarantee thatthis forecast will be correct.

Trading has inherent risk due to system response and access times that may varydue to market conditions, system performance, and other factors. An investorshould understand these and additional risks before trading.

Investments involve risk, lossesmay exceed the principal invested, and the past performance of a security,industry, sector, market, or financial product does not guarantee futureresults or returns. TradeKing provides self-directed investors with discountbrokerage services, and does not make recommendations or offer investment,financial, legal or tax advice. You alone are responsible for evaluating the meritsand risks associated with the use of TradeKing's systems, services or products.If you have additional questions regarding your taxes, please visit IRS.gov or consult a tax professional.TradeKing is unable to provide any tax advice.At the time of publication and inthe preceding month, TradeKing and/or Donato Montanaro did not have ownershipgreater than 1% in any stocks mentioned; did not have any other actual,material conflict of interest known at the time of publication; have notreceived compensation from a public offering nor from investment bankingservices related to any companies mentioned within the past 12 months, norexpect to receive any in the next 3 months; nor engaged in market making in thesecurities mentioned.TradeKing is not affiliated with,does not sponsor, is not sponsored by, does not endorse, and is not endorsed bythe companies mentioned above or any of their affiliated companies.© 2015 TradeKing Group, Inc. Allrights reserved. Securities offered through TradeKingSecurities, LLC, member FINRA and SIPC.