Articles and Updates
What is the Difference Between a Call and a Put?
Call and put options: Similar purposes, important differences. Calls for bullish views, puts for bearish. Learn their unique roles.
What is Assignment?
In-the-money options may lead to exercise for holders and assignment for sellers. Strategies can help mitigate assignment risk.
What is a Strike Price?
Strike prices are crucial in options trading. They determine when you can buy or sell the underlying asset. Learn how they work and impact profitability.
2020 Educational Series: Core Concepts of Options
Start the new year with OIC's free educational series on options investing. Learn core concepts and risk management tools. Register today!
What Does it Mean to Exercise?
Understanding options: Exercise and assignment explained. Explore our Options Glossary for more key terms.
Do All Listed Stocks Have Listed Options?
Discover options on 4,400+ US stocks and ETFs. Visit our FAQ for answers or chat with options pros live. Explore if options suit your investing goals.
What is a Stock Option?
Discover stock options – calls & puts, rights & obligations. Traded on exchanges, cleared by OCC. Start your options journey with OIC.
What is a Put Option?
A put option provides the holder with the right to sell a security at a specified strike price before the option's expiration.
What is a Call Option?
A call option gives the holder the right to buy a security at a specified strike price before the option expires. It can be exercised or sold for profit.
What Do You Provide?
At OIC, we're here to educate investors at all levels about options trading. Explore our videos, podcasts, webinars, and live events.
OIC Educational Series: Options Pricing
Explore options pricing with OIC's Q4 events. From moneyness to volatility skew, learn for free with industry experts. Register now!
OIC Educational Series: How Options can be an Efficient Use of Capital
Explore how options can efficiently use capital in your investment plan with OIC's free webinars. Sign up now!
New Study: Listed Index and ETF Option Overlays May Improve Endowment Performance
New study shows buy-write and put spread collar overlays improved risk-adjusted performance for endowments of all sizes. Learn more.
OIC's Income Series: Risk, Reward and Special Considerations when Selling Options
Learn to generate income with options! Join OIC for live seminars on selling options, covered calls, credit spreads, and more. Free registration!
U.S. Options Industry Creates New Lifetime Contribution Award and “Crowd of Fame”
Introducing the U.S. Options Lifetime Contribution Award, honoring individuals for significant contributions to the options industry.
OIC's Hedging Series: Using Options to Hedge Against Market Risk
Learn how to use options for risk management and hedge against downturns. Join our webinars and Chicago seminar in March.
Welcome to the New OIC Website
The Options Industry Council's website gets a fresh look! Enjoy improved navigation and mobile-friendly access for top-notch options education.
New Research Shows European Demand For U.S. Equity Options Remains Strong
European investors drive demand for U.S. exchange-listed equity options. Study reveals insights into strategies and market trends.
Greenwich Associates Study Finds More Than 80 Percent Of Institutional Investors Surveyed Who Use Exchange-Listed Options Are Satisfied With Performance
Discover how institutional investors use exchange-listed options for portfolio protection and risk diversity. OIC provides free education on options strategies.
Gary Katz to Receive Joseph W. Sullivan Award at 2018 Options Industry Conference
Gary Katz, former ISE CEO, honored with 2018 Options Industry Achievement Award. Recognition for contributions to the U.S. options industry.