Most options investors use the Internet as a source
for much of their research, since it’s easy to access, information
is often free, and news is almost always up to date. And since
many newspapers that cover stock news don’t offer much detailed
information about options, the Internet is generally the best
way to find in-depth options information.
The Web sites of
the Options Industry Council and the Options Clearing Corporation,
two industry groups, provide general options education as
well as industry-wide volume, open interest, contract adjustments, SEC filings, and expiration cycles, among other topics.
Online brokerage
firms offer their clients Internet access to information about
specific options and strategies, as well as analysis and recommendations.
Many traditional brokerage
firms also offer research and information on
their Web sites.
There’s a
range of commercial sites devoted exclusively to options information.
Most of these are accessible by paid subscription only, so
you’ll have to use your own judgment to decide whether
their education and analysis is reliable and worth paying
for.
