Trading

Take your trading to the next level.

What's new

Margin

Understanding Portfolio Margin

Qualified traders have access to portfolio margin, which can offer a way to increase a trader's available budget.

December 20, 2024

Trading

Rules For Cash Trades

Understanding the timing for setting transactions is important when trading with cash so that traders aren't hit with account restrictions.

December 17, 2024

Futures

Basics of S&P 500 Futures

S&P 500 futures provide exposure to the index. But trading futures is different from trading equities. Understand how they work and how they might be used.

December 13, 2024

Trading Tools

Introduction to thinkScript

thinkScript® is a built-in programming language on the thinkorswim® platform that allows you to create your own analysis tools, studies, watchlist columns, scans, and orders.

December 13, 2024

Market updates

PCE Helps Tame Early Losses

Joe Mazzola
December 20, 2024

Weekly Trader's Outlook

Nathan Peterson
December 20, 2024

Today's Options Market Update

Joe Mazzola
December 20, 2024

Looking to the Futures

Dan Sweeney
December 20, 2024
View more

thinkorswim basics

Trading Tools

Intro to thinkorswim® Desktop

Welcome to thinkorswim®. In this video we'll provide a high-level tour of the most commonly used features of the thinkorswim trading platform.

August 28, 2023

Trading Tools

Set Up thinkorswim® for Stocks

In this tutorial, we'll demonstrate ways to set up the thinkorswim® desktop platform for stock trading.

August 28, 2023

Trading Tools

Set Up thinkorswim® for Options

How to customize the thinkorswim® desktop platform especially for options—streamlining the option chain based on your trading style, setting up custom options screeners, and more.

August 28, 2023

Trading Tools

thinkorswim® Web Overview

In this tutorial, we'll take a tour of the thinkorswim® web platform and show you how to get started.

August 28, 2023

Trading Tools

thinkorswim® iOS

Learn how to navigate and place trades on the thinkorswim® mobile app for iPhone.

October 10, 2023

Trading Tools

thinkorswim® Android

Learn how to navigate and place trades on the thinkorswim® mobile app for Android.

October 11, 2023

View more

Options trading for beginners

Options

Managing Cash-Secured Puts

Cash-secured puts may generate short-term income or enable purchase of desired stocks at a favorable price. Know what to do if the cash-secured put doesn't work out as planned.

December 05, 2024

Portfolio Management

How to Hedge a Correction

How to use S&P 500 put options for temporary downside portfolio protection when concerns over an event-driven sell-off are elevated.

July 16, 2024

Options

The Covered Call

Selling covered calls is a strategy that can help traders potentially make money if the stock price doesn't move. Learn how this strategy works.

April 04, 2024

Options

Investing Basics: Options

Options are an alternative way to speculate on the performance of a security, such as a stock or ETF. Learn how options work and the risks associated with trading options.

January 18, 2024

Options

Risks of Options Assignment

Before entering an options trade, traders should consider the possibility of early assignment. Learn more about assignment and how to help reduce the risks associated with it.

October 23, 2023

A guide to futures and forex

Futures

Basics of S&P 500 Futures

S&P 500 futures provide exposure to the index. But trading futures is different from trading equities. Understand how they work and how they might be used.

December 13, 2024 • Michael Zarembski

Futures

Trading Futures for Beginners

We'll explain the basics of how to trade futures and show a simple futures trade, so you'll be able to start practicing in papermoney® on the thinkorswim® desktop platform.

October 30, 2024

Futures

Micro E-Mini Futures Contracts

This video explains the basics of Micro E-mini futures contracts for U.S. stock market indexes.

August 22, 2024

Forex

4 Ways to Trade Currency Pairs

Learn the basics of currency trading and four common strategies that look to take advantage of different market conditions or potential trends.

August 16, 2024

Trading with technical analysis

Technical Analysis

Choosing Stock Chart Periods

Long-term investors tend to focus on daily stock charts to help with decisions, while active traders often focus on more detailed charts. Why not try both?

November 25, 2024

Technical Analysis

3 Technical Trading Traps

Traders use a stock's price patterns to help identify entry and exit points, but those patterns can be misleading. Here's how to avoid three common technical trading traps.

November 15, 2024

Technical Analysis

Using Symmetrical Triangles

Discover how simple triangle patterns in stock prices can help you identify potential buy signals and potential price targets.

October 09, 2024

What's new in stock trading

Government Policy

New Year Trends on Wall Street

Investors reboot when a new year dawns, but 2025 stands out as a new administration takes over. This may affect investor behavior as they adjust for possible policy changes.

December 18, 2024

Trading

Rules For Cash Trades

Understanding the timing for setting transactions is important when trading with cash so that traders aren't hit with account restrictions.

December 17, 2024

IRA

What Is an IRA?

Looking for a tax-smart way to save for your future? Find out what an IRA is, what it offers, and how the three main types differ.

December 17, 2024

Markets and Economy

Perspective: 2025 Outlook

We expect gears to shift as potential policy changes under the Trump administration add to uncertainty about inflation and the global economy.

December 13, 2024

Sectors

Stock Sector Outlook

Our outlook on the 11 S&P 500 equity sectors.

December 06, 2024

Stocks

2025 Global Outlook

International markets are expected to clear the hurdles of uncertain trade policy, tighter fiscal policy and slower than average economic growth to support solid overall returns.

December 02, 2024

Expand your options trading

Trading Tools

Analyzing Vertical Spreads

Learn how to set up and analyze an options spread using the Risk Profile tool on the thinkorswim platform for more complex trades like vertical spreads.

December 10, 2024

Options

Managing Cash-Secured Puts

Cash-secured puts may generate short-term income or enable purchase of desired stocks at a favorable price. Know what to do if the cash-secured put doesn't work out as planned.

December 05, 2024

Options

Volatility During Elections

Elections create uncertainty for financial markets, particularly in the months leading up to Election Day. Option traders may look for a strategy for potential opportunities.

October 10, 2024

Options

Tradecraft: Short Call Spreads

In this video, we walk through one way of setting up and managing two short call vertical spreads on thinkorswim® paperMoney®.

August 19, 2024

Newest trading videos

Trading Tools

Introduction to thinkScript

thinkScript® is a built-in programming language on the thinkorswim® platform that allows you to create your own analysis tools, studies, watchlist columns, scans, and orders.

December 13, 2024

Options

Tradecraft: Butterflies

Follow a trade consultant as they show one way to set up and manage butterfly spreads over an earnings report using the paperMoney® feature of the thinkorswim® platform.

November 27, 2024

Futures

Trading Futures for Beginners

We'll explain the basics of how to trade futures and show a simple futures trade, so you'll be able to start practicing in papermoney® on the thinkorswim® desktop platform.

October 30, 2024

Explore more topics

Trading Forex Futures Options Technical Analysis Trading Tools Investments Stocks Markets and Economy Fundamental Analysis

The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered an individualized recommendation or personalized investment advice. The investment strategies mentioned here may not be suitable for everyone. Each investor needs to review an investment strategy for his or her own particular situation before making any investment decision.

All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice in reaction to shifting market conditions. Data contained herein from third-party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness or reliability cannot be guaranteed.

Examples provided are for illustrative purposes only and not intended to be reflective of results you can expect to achieve.

Options carry a high level of risk and are not suitable for all investors. Certain requirements must be met to trade options through Schwab. Please read the Options Disclosure Document titled "Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options" before considering any option transaction. Call Schwab at 1‐800‐435‐4000 for a current copy. Supporting documentation for any claims or statistical information is available upon request.

Investing involves risks, including loss of principal. Hedging and protective strategies generally involve additional costs and do not assure a profit or guarantee against loss. With long options, investors may lose 100% of funds invested. Spread trading must be done in a margin account. Multiple leg options strategies will involve multiple per-contract charges. Covered calls provide downside protection only to the extent of the premium received and limit upside potential to the strike price plus premium received.

Futures and futures options trading involves substantial risk and is not suitable for all investors. Please read the Risk Disclosure Statement for Futures and Options prior to trading futures products. Futures and forex accounts are not protected by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC). Futures, futures options, and forex trading services provided by Charles Schwab Futures and Forex LLC. Trading privileges subject to review and approval. Not all clients will qualify.

Charles Schwab Futures and Forex LLC (NFA Member) and Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (Member FINRA/SIPC) are separate but affiliated companies and subsidiaries of The Charles Schwab Corporation.

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