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The Complete Idiot's Guide to Options and Futures
 
 
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The Complete Idiot's Guide to Options and Futures [Paperback]

Scott Barrie; Scott Barrie (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)


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There is a newer edition of this item:
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Options and Futures, 2nd Edition The Complete Idiot's Guide to Options and Futures, 2nd Edition 3.0 out of 5 stars (5)
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Product Details

  • Paperback
  • Publisher: Alpha (2001)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0028641388
  • ISBN-13: 978-0028641386
  • Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 0.8 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #237,015 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

8 Reviews
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 (5)
4 star:
 (2)
3 star:
 (1)
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Average Customer Review
4.5 out of 5 stars (8 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars I don't advise options but if you do try them buy this book, October 27, 2002
By A Customer
This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Options and Futures (Paperback)
I personally prefer stock, bonds, and mutual funds, but you can make a ton of money trading futures and options. As the author says "People can reap huge profits, or lose their shirts".

The book gives a very good overview of all the major markets, including history of futures trading as well as how large an order should be, the typical margin put up, and how volitle of and investment a particular futures market can be, like advising corn as a good starting point and staying away from metals. I also agree with that philosophy. Another thing the author does in explaing the markets that i like is that he informs the reader of all the factors that can influence price fluctuations and how to try to time your movements into and out of the markets based on these trends. I also like that he does admit that there is a time to sell a winner and to sell a loser to cut your loses instead of going deeper in debt. sometimes it is best to get out after your first margin call.

The thing that I think makes the book most valuable are the options strategies. These also work very well with stocks and some index funds. As the author states these are very limited profit potential, but there is also very little risk. If you guess the market pretty well then there is almost no risk. My favorite of these is also the most basic the straddle option. Here you can make money if prices go up on down, but not if they remain fairly consistent. You typically purchase and at the money call ( right to buy) option and an at the money put option ( right to sell)the only risk involved is the money that is initially paid for the option. Both are purchase at roughly the same strike price so if a price swing up or down will net the option holder some money. Their are other strategies such as the bear put spread, and bull call spread as well as married options were you are actually buying futures. I personally do not like the three becasue all involve selling an options contract which theoretically can have unlimited loss potential. Unless you are very experienced and have a good track record stay away from them.

In conclusion options and futures are very risky intruments. I would advise simply playing the stocks and funds, but if you like this market i would advise buying optiosn, the most you risk there is the amount you paid for the options, and there are no margin calls, I persoanlly know someone who was almost driven to bankruptcy becasue he did not know what he was doing and got into the futures market. I must admit though that the futures market intrests me more than and other area of finance and investing.

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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Simple clear and thorough, August 18, 2002
By 
John Clarendon (Mashpee, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Options and Futures (Paperback)
I have read a few books on futures and find many gaps in basic information. As I struggle to put the pieces together, this book was a breath of fresh air. Comprehensive, including interesting history of the beginnings of these markets. Thorough, including pricing, quote info, basic info on each commodity, financial, index, etc. You need other readings about options, but the BEST basic book on commodities and futures
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18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for those interested in futures!, January 6, 2002
By A Customer
This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Options and Futures (Paperback)
If you are interested in futures and read this book you will be far from an idiot. This is the most thorough treatment of the topic I am aware of on the market and should be every trader's first book. I am doing my Ph.D. dissertation in finance in the area of futures trading and strongly recommend this book; it is a homerun!

Ps. AFTER you read this book I recommend that you study "Trade Your Way to Financial Freedom" -- by Van K. Tharp

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Inside This Book (learn more)
First Sentence:
Inside these pages you will be taught to understand the fast-paced and exciting world of the futures markets. Read the first page
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
time the cash commodities, unwanted price changes, electronic hours, limited risk speculation, open position loss, fifteenth calendar day, guaranteed introducing broker, other assets from customers, single stock futures, price risk inherent, previous days settlement price, short position holder, underlying futures price, decaying asset, organization that solicits, performance bond margins, cash market position, trading tips, same delivery month, first notice day, underlying futures contract, margining system, herd expansion, last trading day, open futures position
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
United States, Managed Futures, Federal Reserve, Trading Lingo, Chicago Board of Trade, Live Cattle, Winter Wheat, July Corn, Feeder Cattle, March Corn, The Least You Need, National Futures Association, July Wheat, Bretton Woods, Chicago Mercantile Exchange, Dollar Index, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Pork Belly, Price Analysis, World Sugar, December Corn, Unit Fluctuation, Canadian Dollar, July Soybeans, Kansas City Board of Trade
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