888options Updates - January 2006

Happy New Year from the Options Industry Council! The last year was an exciting and busy time for OIC. We redesigned our 888options.com web site, added new interactive tools such as the Position Simulator, Online Quiz, Strategy Screener, and restructured our learning content, allowing investors of all backgrounds and skill levels to find useful information with ease. We are pleased to announce that we will continue to enhance our offerings in 2006 so check back frequently as we launch new interactive learning tools, content and tutorials. Thank you for making 888options Your Destination for Options Education!

January 4, 2006 - The Options Industry Council (OIC) announced today that this year's total volume set a new annual volume record, with a total of 1,504,311,540 contracts, surpassing last year’s previous record by an increase of 27.3%. Additionally, total equity options volume reached 1,369,048,282 contracts, exceeding the 1,083,649,226 total equity options volume contracts traded in 2004 by 26.3% percent. [ Read More ]

January 20, 2006 - The Options Industry Council (OIC) announced that a new daily trading volume record was set yesterday, January 19, 2006, when 11,523,913 contracts changed hands, a 2.4 percent increase over the previous record of 11,254,044 set on April 15, 2005. [ Read More ]

The Spring season of free seminars kicks off in Pasadena, CA on February 14th with a session on Covered Calls. Visit the complete seminar schedule to register and to see when OIC is coming to a city near you!

You may also attend OIC seminars at the Toronto Financial Forum (January 26th - 29th) and at the Vancouver Financial Forum (February 3rd - 5th). Please visit the Special Events area on the website for more information.

How are options typically adjusted in the case of a merger where an election is involved?

An option's deliverable in the case of an election merger is usually adjusted based on the merger consideration, which accrues to non-electing shareholders. If call option holders do not wish to receive the non-electing consideration after the contract adjustment, they must exercise in advance of the election deadline. And as shareholders, they must elect pursuant to the election procedures described in the proxy statement / prospectus.

To view information on past option adjustments due to election mergers, visit the Options Clearing Corporation's website, www.optionsclearing.com. Click on the "Information Memos" link located in the "Important Notices" section on the OCC's homepage. In the "Search For" box, enter keywords "election merger."

View more Options FAQ.

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Email: options@theocc.com