Options Trading

Want options? Look no further.

thinkorswim from TD AMERITRADE, the platform built with the trading technology ranked #1 by Barron's, offers sophisticated tools for serious traders. With an options-approved TD AMERITRADE account, you can pursue a wide range of options trading strategies with speed and ease. We deliver the support, information and structure that quickly let you spot potential opportunities and act on them fast.

Open an options-approved trading account | TD AMERITRADE
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See Also...

  • Trading platform

    Access professional-level tools for serious traders with thinkorswim from TD AMERITRADE.

  • Stock Research

    Get information on stocks from independent third-party industry leaders.

  • Stock Options

    Get a list of options on a particular stock.

  • Stock Quotes

    Get stock quotes and enter orders with SnapTicket™.
 
 
 

Online education

Take our free courses1 which can help clients learn beginning to advanced options trading strategies. In addition, we offer paperMoney® so clients can practice new strategies without putting their own money at risk. Take advantage of our:
  • Education Center – featuring interactive courses for beginner, intermediate, and advanced options traders
  • Web-based seminars – recap the week in trading on the options market plus get ideas on how to use options to help manage risk
  • Live, local seminars

Powerful options trading tools

  • Trade Triggers™2 Set the conditions for an alert or order in advance. When your conditions are met, you'll receive an email alert or your order will be submitted automatically, up to six months from when the trigger is set.
  • thinkorswim from TD AMERITRADE. Access professional-level tools for serious traders. Clients with higher options approval, such as Level 3 and Level 4, can enter complex option orders like butterflies and condors, and implement advanced option strategies using this in-depth tool.
A covered call strategy can limit the upside potential of the underlying stock and your stock can get called away if the option is assigned. The strategy also provides minimal downside protection, limited to the premium received for the call.

Trade ideas

  • S&P® Options report
  • Covered call pre-defined screens
  • thinkorswim from TD AMERITRADE features like:
  • Sizzle Index, which shows you which stocks are experiencing unusually high options trading volumes, Graphic representations, at-a-glance risk/reward profiles and volatility skews with point-and-click order entry.
  • Spreadbook – see all the spread orders that thinkorswim customers are working. You can sort by underlying stock or index, or by spread type. You can even see each order's limit price as well as the spread's current mark.
  • SpreadHacker™ – find risk-defined option trades quickly and efficiently. Displaying six different strategies grouped by symbol, price, implied volatility, and probability of success, SpreadHacker can help you find trades that meet your criteria with a few easy clicks.

Low, straightforward commissions

  • Pay just $9.99 plus $0.75 per contract for Internet options trades at TD AMERITRADE.3
  • Options exercises and assignments will incur a $19.99 commission.

Ongoing support

  • Our dedicated support team is available to help answer all of your options questions.
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Market volatility, volume and system availability may delay account access and trade executions.

1. The presentations are provided for general information purposes only and should not be considered an individualized recommendation or advice.

Options involve risks and are not suitable for all investors as the special risks inherent to options trading may expose investors to potentially rapid and substantial losses. Options trading privileges subject to TD AMERITRADE review and approval. Please read Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options before investing in options.

2. Sufficient funds or positions required when Trade Triggers orders activate. Trade Triggers options functionality limited to option-approved accounts. Spreads and other multi-leg option transactions will incur contract fees on each leg of the order, which may impact any potential return.

Access to real-time market data is conditioned on acceptance of the exchange agreements. Professional access differs and subscription fees may apply. For details, see our Professional Rates & Fees.

Past performance of a security or strategy does not guarantee future results or success.

thinkorswim, prior to joining TD AMERITRADE, earned 4.9 stars, the top score, in the category "Trading Technology," and was rated #1 overall online broker in Barron's ranking of online brokers, 3/15/2010. thinkorswim was evaluated versus others in eight total categories, including trade experience, trading technology, usability, range of offerings, research amenities, portfolio analysis and reporting, customer service and education and costs. thinkorswim topped the list in 2006, 2007, 2009, and 2010 with the highest weighted-average score. Barron's is a registered trademark of Dow Jones & Company © 2006-2010.

3. Trades executed in multiple lots on the same day are charged a single commission. Trades partially executed over multiple trading days are subject to commission charges for each trading day.

Offer valid for one new individual or joint options-approved TD AMERITRADE account opened by 09/30/10 and funded within 30 days of account opening with $2,000 or more. To receive $100 cash bonus, account must be funded with $25,000 or more within 30 days of initial minimum funding. IRA and other tax-exempt accounts are not eligible to receive the $100 cash bonus. Limit one offer per client. Offer is not transferable and not valid with internal transfers, Amerivest-related accounts, TD AMERITRADE Institutional accounts, current TD AMERITRADE accounts or with other offers. Commission-free Internet equity or options trades will be limited to a maximum of 500 total Internet equity or options trades. Qualified commission-free Internet equity or options orders must execute within 30 days of account funding. Contract, exercise, and assignment fees still apply. Account must remain open with minimum funding required for participating in the offer for 9 months, or TD AMERITRADE may charge the account for the cost of the cash awarded to the account. TD AMERITRADE reserves the right to restrict or revoke this offer at any time. This is not an offer or solicitation in any jurisdiction where we are not authorized to do business.

Taxes related to TD AMERITRADE offers are your responsibility. Retail values totaling $600 or more during the calendar year will be included in your consolidated Form 1099.