Getting Started in Options

by Michael C. Thomsett

Book Overview

In easy-to-follow terms, Getting Started in Options, Sixth Edition thoroughly demystifies the options markets, distinguishes the imagined risks from the real ones, and arms readers with the facts they need to make informed investment decisions. The accessible, step-by-step format of this guide includes the latest examples, charts, and additions to reflect the changing markets. It also includes new and updated discussions on other options issues, such...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0471707120
• ISBN13: 9780471707127
• Release Date: July 2005
• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
• Length: 291 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.1" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

What are your Options? ... Only one ... read it!

First of all let me warn you ... "You will have to read this book atleast twice!". Not because of the way the book is written but rather due to the complexity of the subject itself. As you will see, the concept & language behind Stock Options is a bit counter-intuitive and at times weird. None-the-less, the Author has done an excellent job of explaining what Call options, Put options are. What levels of risks and potential for profit exists in buying, selling each kind of options. Additionally, the Author has done an wonderful job of suggesting number of interesting strategies of using options in order to generate income, hedge your portfolio. The one relating to tax was really interesting and a novel idea to me at least. The only thing I would have liked more in this book is ... more examples. More simplified & easy to comprehend examples would have made it even better. Overall, it an perfect starting point for any beginner. Read & Apply! -Sachin

Excellent for the Online Trader

After reading this book several times (mostly on planes, it is not a 'heavy' read considering the topic) and scanning options chains online, I understand that options investing can be a very, very risky way to make money in the market.I also discovered that options can be a very conservative way to not_lose_money on existing long positions, as well as discount the purchase of stocks that I would take long positions in. If you are not the best stock picker in the world, options can be very useful as a hedge.The book has an enormous amount of example trades. I could have used a few sample conversations between broker / trader to help with the lingo, but having said that the 'nuts and bolts' portions of this book (e.g. option symbols) got me far enough where I called my broker and my first options trade went perfectly (and fast). I was speaking the language and I am very confident in my knowledge.The book is cheaper than a single options trade, it is worth every cent and has paid for itself many times over in money that I haven't lost ;-).

excellent tutorial for investment using options

Options are a very powerful tool in investing. Any stock investor is running half blind if they do not consider using options as part of there investment strategyThis book is a great place to start for anyone who wants to have an understanding of what options are and how they can be used as both speculative and conservative investment tools. The author provides a very through tutorial on what options are, what they are used for and how you can used them in your investment strategy. Many examples are presented to insure that each topic is fully understood. In fact there are so many examples that you may want to skip one here and there after you already understand the subject described. However, these examples are great in illustrating the various topics presented. The book will be useful for both beginners and more advanced users who wish to know more about the various techniques used in options trading. Having said that, if you are a very experienced options investor who is looking for complex strategies, you would probably be better of with a more advanced book. The ideal reader of this book would be a person who has been doing some stock trading and is now ready to move to more complex (and potentially rewarding) options based trading.

One of the best options books out there!

I have bought over a dozen books on option trading and this is the one that I refer to over and over again. If you want to learn about basic option strategies and concepts, this is the book to buy.

Start here if you are new to options or to review the basics

I love the "Getting Started" series on Options, Stocks and Online Investing. Getting Started with Options led me through the basics of learning about Options and with the information I was able to do my first Option trades. I made a little money and lost a little money - but I felt as though I had basic knowledge to work with. One would still need to learn more to successfully trade options ~ but this is definately the place for a beginner to start. I highly recommend it!!