How to Pick the Right Put Option
-
Put/Call Ratios
The put/call ratio is a ratio of the trading volume of put options to call options, which serves an indicator of investor sentiment.
Several Web sites can help you determine what the put/call ratio is, and whether it is increasing or decreasing. Sites like Yahoo Finance can help with the overall number, while changes in the ratio are the province of some fee-based services.
If the number of puts is rising compared to calls, no time to be a contrarian, this is a good sign.
More By This Expert
What are the five rules for constructing great short-side positions? Read on to find out.
10 Reasons to Use ETFs When Trading Options
How do investors and traders cope with a market that has fallen more than 40% in just one year and survive until greener pastures return?
The Bad News Victims of 2008 are the
New Victors of 2009
There were a lot of losing trades last year, but there were also winners for those willing to bet against conventional wisdom -- and this will be the case in 2009, too.
The 10 Dumbest Analyst Calls of 2008
This collection of calls has been easier to write than See Spot Run. My only difficulty has been restraining myself in order to not be sued, punched out or have my tires slashed.
Don't Stop 'Banking' on a Bailout
The Titanic is only just approaching the iceberg. And there aren't enough lifeboats handy for everyone who's going to need one.
MOST POPULAR
- What's Hot: DELL, DHI November 20, 2009
- Sidewinder: MCD, DKS, JPM November 20, 2009
- Options News: SII November 20, 2009
- Sidewinder: CY, ADSK, KG November 19, 2009
- Options for Dummies November 19, 2009




