Derivatives Links: Options and Futures
GO HERE TO FIND OUT ABOUT Web-based courses in OPTIONS AND FUTURES
This page provides links and descriptions to futures, options, and other derivative
sites - segregated by topic areas.
Suggestions for adding links are welcome
The following categories relating to derivatives are provided on this page:
SPECIAL LINKS - my recommendations
- In-the-Money is the website created by Mark
Rubinstein, a pioneer in options education. His book and associated computer program
found in Derivatives: A PowerPlus Picture Book, is shown on this website.
Approximately 1/4 of the pages of his book are shown here. Nice graphics; has a glossary and link section.
- StockTrak A trading simulation that allows
you to use intraday prices to buy and sell options and futures as well as stocks. This is
the only trading game simulation that lets you trade futures and options on all US
exchanges using intraday prices. And the cost is reasonable too!
- OptionVue V is a popular option analysis program
for active option traders. OptionVue V allows the user to obtain all of the relevant
information on an option position, such as option model prices and Greeks, as well as use
real time data and to evaluate positions on a risk-return basis.
Trading Games, Magazines, Information, Etc.
- Applied Derivatives Trading is a FREE on-line
journal with articles on derivatives trading. An
interesting Web publication, with links and colorful diagrams well suited for an on-line
publication. Each article is separately linked from the Table of Contents. The articles
are often informative, mostly related to trading derivatives but also on topics such as
the term structure. It includes interviews and software and book reviews. One section is a
"Beginners Guide," which is interesting reading for the beginning trader; it
also has with links to past articles and back issues (published since April 1996). Also a
new job market section.
- Derivative terms glossary. Includes mortgage and other derivatives.
- Chicago Merc's Trading Simulator
Currency futures and options simulator. However, one must travel through many pages of
"environmental information" to reach the trading. Thus, you must put some effort
forward. The setup of the game makes it best for beginners, but does provide some
interesting experiences.
- Futures Magazine Current
and past issues of Futures Magazine. Also includes "Top Trading Ideas,"
"source book," and "Guide to Computerized Trading." Provides
information on futures and options industry events and a list of other sites.
A
limited-time trial version of Futures Magazine
can be obtained for a reduced rate by going to this link.
- Berkeley Graduate Program in Derivatives A
highly technical with advanced quantitative techniques applied to Financial Derivatives pricing. Other
specialty MS programs in derivatives exist.
Links to Analysis and Trading Information Sites
- Daiwa Institute of
Research specializes in research on markets. For derivatives, Daiwa examines the
Nikkei 225 and Nikkei 300 for futures and options, including giving the deviation from the
theoretical fair price. Includes information on the cash market and arbitrage.
- Netstations has a discussion
group, market commentary, reviews trading systems, technical software, and strategies.
- Agriribiz gives agricultural statistics, reports,
historical data, market analysis, news and articles. Has an ag search engine and research
data.
Links to Exchanges and the CFTC
- Commodity Futures Trading Commission The regulatory
agency for futures and options markets. Includes data on futures open interest, i.e. the
Commitments of Traders.
- CBOT: The Chicago Board of Trade A Top 5% site. A
great site for those interested in a myriad of futures information - traders, students,
and researchers. Has 10 minute delayed quotes; wealth of links to analysis firms,
information sources, reports, associations, data; a nice picture of the price board under
"Market Plex"; abstracts of CBT research seminars. One may also obtain a
"quicktime movie" of the Agricultural Trading Floor.
- CME: Chicago Mercantile Exchange A Best Derivatives
Site. Includes products, current and historical prices, seat prices, and futures/options
on futures expiration dates. Includes ten minute "Flash Quotes." Note the
"News Center" for new information - and the "frequently asked
question" section. Recent products emphasize Emerging Markets. "Traders
Corner" and "Risk Management Guide" include links to cash market sources,
risk management resources, and the CFTC. There is also information on GLOBEX (after hours
trading system), performance bond (margin) and the SPAN risk requirements. The section on
"Do you have a future in futures?" provides a description on exchange jobs and
their responsibilities, as well as firms who regularly trade futures.
- CBOE: Chicago Board Options Exchange The original
options exchange. Gives bid and ask prices, and volume and open interest. Provides a
"virtual visit" of the trading floor. Visit the structured products area.
- LIFFE: London Futures Exchange Provides some
interesting historical graphs and statistics for LIFFE contracts. Provides all of the bid,
ask, and trade pries for LIFFE contracts and corresponding volumes for the trades.
- AMEX: American Stock Exchange (option
products) AMEX options and discussion of their products: especially look at their
new/innovative products in the emerging markets area and the structured derivatives
section.
- Kansas City Board of Trade An agricultural exchange
for futures.
- The Coffee, Sugar, and Cocoa Exchange shows how these
markets work, including examples of hedging and tactics.
Quotes and Contract Information
Links to Derivatives Centers and Web Index Sites
- NUMA "Best derivatives index
site"; top 10 list of sites; dictionary of acronyms; derivatives frequently asked
questions (FAQ); list of derivative software companies plus a link to derivatives trading
systems overview; has a "competition." Also includes information on derivatives
courses and conferences and magazines; has an extensive list of practitioner and academic
journals in derivatives. Has a derivatives laboratory with an analytical calculator and
spreadsheet library, plus a mini-expert system for option strategies and an options
calculator (and a multi-option calculator). Includes a section on credit risk and equity
derivatives.
- Finance Watch Interesting index site
for derivatives (Rated a top 5% site) Links a number of international sites. Allows one to
search. Provides descriptions of futures and options contacts with characteristics and
trading times.
- University of Illinois Futures
and Options Center A good source for agricultural futures and options; includes the
papers they have produced at the Center. The Futures and Options Resources section has
links to good list of US and World commodity futures, stock, and options exchanges, and
research related sites.
- SMOTASS Has an impressive list of links for
futures markets and a few links for options. The futures links fall into several
categories: educational (a number of interesting sites are listed for educational
purposes), technical analysis - under educational, commentaries on the markets, weather
sites, glossaries, newsletters, magazines, links for traders, and managed accounts.
But don't just go to the links under "the bookmarks" - also venture down
on the main page to see more resources.
- Ohio State Comprehensive
Finance site, including researchers, sites for Financial Executives and students, data
sources, Finance faculty in U.S. Universities. While mostly involves topics other than
derivatives, there are links to derivative sites and it is an interesting place to visit.
- Also see the "Trading Information" link under "Analysis and Trading
Information Sites"
Financial Risk Management Products and Sites
(SUGGESTIONS APPRECIATED)
- Contingency Analysis is a consultant's
page that provides information on financial risk management, including value at risk,
derivative instruments, credit risk, and financial engineering. Has a discussion group.
Provides an "fundamental" section, as well as research papers.
The number of recent visitors to this site:
Send comments to: Dr. Robert T. Daigler mailto:
daiglerr@fiu.edu
or mail to: Department of Finance BA206, College of Business, Florida International
University, Miami, Fla. 33199
URL: http://www.fiu.edu/~daiglerr/deriv.htm