Advanced Analytics

Some strategies are more responsive to time decay and/or volatility than others.   This platform has tools to help analyze these components.

  • Construct the position in the Option Chain table
  • Select the ‘Go Big’ icon on the P&L Graph
  • The Graph shows 3 data points: Current Day, Halfway point to Expiration Day & Expiration Day.  The corresponding legend, immediately below the graph, follows the cursor slider along the graph.
  • The bottom of the screen contains a Calendar (Time) & Volatility Scale.  Both can be manipulated to analyze the position.

Time: You can select a date to analyze as well as user stepper buttons to move day by day backward or forward.

Volatility:   Use the volatility slider or enter a value in the entry box to see the impact of changes in volatility.   The slider bar also displays the current (circle), average (gray), and 1 year high / low of implied volatility (orange portion of the slider) for easy reference.


Historic & Implied Volatility

This chart displays Historic (HV) and Implied (IV) Volatility with the ability to overlay Call/Put IV

Historic Volatility (green line) is based on how the stock actually moved.

Implied Volatility (blue line) is based on how the options are priced.

When expanded, the stock chart 12-Month Mean (Average) IV and one-year IV High/Low (red line) are also shown. This is very helpful in understanding if option premiums are comparable to historic values.

High HV indicates recent strong movement.

High IV indicates higher premium and, in many cases, anticipated movement.

Note:  You can remove the Stock Chart, HV, IV or Call/Put IV simply by clicking on the corresponding indicator above the chart/graph.


Go Big - Graphs & Charts

Anywhere you see the ‘Go Big’ icon , you can expand the graphic and access additional information.

The Chart Tab under Research has such a button in the icon toolbar as shown:

The Heat Map on the Market Tab will allow you to filter criteria such as stock price, volume, market cap, etc.   

In the Options Tab, you can do this with the P/L Graph and the Volatility Chart.  The icon is located at or near the upper right of the graph or chart.

Expanding the Stock/Volatility Chart allows you to view past Historic Volatility, Intrinsic Volatility and stock price on a day-to-day basis.

For deeper Trade Analysis, use the Volatility Slider tool and the Date Picker, located at the bottom of the P&L Graph: