The Option Chain window lists the complete set of options available for a particular security. The Option Chain window has four basic parts. They are:
Quote Bar (Level I) : Provides a detailed quote for the base symbol.
Options Montage (Option Chain): Displays a list of current options for the base symbol, with a current quote for each option.
Regional Data (Level II Montage): Shows current market activity for the stock.
Order Entry Bar (Order Entry Bar): Provides a fast and easy way to place options trades.
The Quote Bar provides a detailed quote for the base symbol using real-time market data. Type in a symbol and review the bid, ask, last, change and volume for the stock.
The Quote Bar can also be customized to suit individual preferences.
The Options Montage displays all available options for a chosen symbol and provides up-to-the-moment quote information for each option. Calls are listed on the left; Puts are listed on the right, with the Strike Price between them in the gray bar. (To learn more about options, see About Options and Buy and Sell Options.)
A Money Line is provided to show where the stock is currently trading. Options shown in green are currently "in the money." Options shown in white are currently "out of the money." Time Bars are also provided to organize the options by month and year. Click the (+) symbol to show options information. Click the (-) symbol to hide it.
Color tiers separate trades by price and can be customized.
The Regional Data reveals the depth of the market for any chosen options symbol. Click an option symbol in the Option Montage, and the Regional Data window will show all market participants for that symbol. All market participants are displayed--Bid (left) and Ask (right)--including the price and order size. Color tiers separate trades by price and can be customized.
The Order Entry Bar provides an convenient way to prepare option orders and send them to the market. Drop-down menus provide access to order options such as Order Type, Price, Route, TIF (Time In Force) and Action (Buy to Open, Sell to Close, Buy to Close, Sell to Open etc).
To buy or sell an options contract, simply click on a price in the Regional Data window. The Order Entry Bar will automatically pre-fill a limit order with the current price. Click the appropriate button below to send your order.
If positions are held for the option, the "P" button beside the symbol field will activate, and the number of Contracts help will automatically fill in.
For information about actions for trading options, see About Options.
To buy or sell an options contract, simply click on a price in Regional Data window. The Order Entry Bar will automatically pre-fill a limit order with the current price. Click the appropriate button below to send your order. (See Buy and Sell Options for more details.)
Symbol |
The company's officially registered stock symbol. |
Bid |
The price that a potential buyer is willing to pay. |
Ask |
The price at which a seller is offering a security. Also called offer. |
Last |
The price of the most recently executed transaction. Last often toggles between the Bid and the Ask but may be at any price. |
Change |
The difference between the Last price and the Close price. |
Volume |
The number of shares traded. |