Product Description

"Options Demystified" follows in the tradition of the series. The book teaches the complex and intimidating subject of options in an easy-to-understand manner, perfect for readers without formal finance or investment training. The format of the book also allows for an efficient use of the reader's time. Organised as a self-teaching guide, the book is filled with illustrations, definitions of industry terms, and real life examples. The author provides key points, background information, questions and quizzes (with answer key) at the end of every chapter to help the reader analyse his or her strengths and weaknesses, and a final exam to wrap it all up. In "Options Demystified" the reader will learn the many uses of options under a wide variety of circumstances. After covering the basics of the options universe - including a description of options, why options were invented, and the terminology of options - the author delves into all the key aspects of the major uses of options.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #498467 in Books
• Published on: 2005-08-17
• Original language: German, English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 304 pages

From the Back Cover

A down-to-earth guide for understanding, trading, and making money from options

Do you want to learn how to use options without getting lost in confusing theories and complicated math? Options Demystified takes the mystery out of options, providing you with concise descriptions of various option strategies and the basic knowledge you need to execute basic stock and commodity options trades. It also includes some of the more complex techniques like covered calls, spreads, straddles and hedges, and more.

This unique, step-by-step guide uses short, snappy explanations and easy-to-understand examples--along with chapter-ending quizzes and a 50-question final exam--to give you the confidence you need to begin trading options like a pro. More important, the author reveals the psychological side of trading, so you keep a clear head in the heat of trading. You'll know why today's smartest investors and traders rely on the versatility of the options marketplace--and how you can too!

Look inside for hands-on details including:

• What kind of person makes the most successful options trader
• The pitfalls and mistakes that cost traders valuable time and money
• Types of options-- stock, index, currency, financial futures, commodity, dealer, real estate, and employee incentive
• Puts versus calls, buying versus selling, which to use, why, and when
• Increasing income and limiting risk by selling covered options
• The risk and reward of selling naked options and why this strategy is so dangerous
• The importance of time and intrinsic value, and how to measure them using the delta factor
• Rules governing price change--volatility, probability, and profitability
• LEAPS, the Forex market, commodities and financial futures, and sample strategies to play these markets

About the Author
Thomas McCafferty has been involved in the futures business since 1973. He is a Registered Stock Broker and a Registered Securities Options Principal. Recently, he was Marketing Manager at Evergreen Group, Inc. Before that he oversaw a branch office for Wasendorf & Son Company, an introducing broker, and managed its marketing efforts. He is the author of several books, including All About Futures, All About Commodities, and In-House Telemarketing: A Master Plan for Starting and Managing a Profitable Telemarketing Program. He is currently working on All About Options, 2nd edition.

Customer Reviews

A Winner That Lives Up to Its Title
"Options Demystified" is a worthy addition to McGraw-Hill's "Demystified" series, easily living up to its claim of being a self-teaching guide. Hundreds of books have been written on the subject of puts and calls, but this large-format paperback is by far the best I've come across for the aspiring option trader. It is comprehensive, well organized, generously illustrated and easy to understand. The book also includes many quizzes and a "final exam" to help the reader master the material.

The author, Thomas McCafferty, has been around commodities, stocks and options for many years and written numerous books on those subjects. This one not only lays out the basics of the options game, it also condenses much of the author's impressive horse-sense into a very readable and relatively short work (251 pages, plus an excellent index). "Options Demystified" should be on every trader's shelf. Even pros will find some pearls here, including a chapter on "trading philosophy" that's perfectly attuned to today's frothy markets. I recommend this book wholeheartedly to anyone looking for an options primer that is both comprehensive and easy to imbibe.

Awful Book for Stock Options
This is just awful as it fails to give graphic examples of stock options. The author just blabs and blabs without any coherance. I bought this book to shed light on this confusing subject---it confused me even further! Go to the CBOE to get crystal clear answers to most of your options questions. There must be better options out there!!!

Very Nice Overview
This was a quick enjoyable read which provides an overview of options. This is a good first book to read to see if you want to invest more time studying.