Buy Options | Online Options Trading | E*TRADE

Options.
For a limited time, receive a cash bonus when you open a new E*TRADE brokerage or retirement account with a qualifying deposit by December 31, 2022.
Use promo code: BONUS22.
Award winning options trading tools 4.
Whether you’re in-the-money, or out-of-the-money, we’ll help you keep on top of your money with intuitive tools for trading options on stocks, indexes, and futures.
Risk / Reward Probabilities Customizable Option Chain Earnings Move Analyzer Preset Scans Spectral Analysis Strategy Seek Risk Slide.
Understand the risk/reward probabilities of an option trade with Snapshot Analysis.
Customize option chain views by spread strategies, width, strikes and dollar value.
View a stocks’ expected price move, average implied move, and average historical move. Select a strategy and enter your earnings move order directly from the tool.
Spot opportunities with Live Action real time scans for unusual activity, volatility and technical indicators.
Explore “what if” scenarios of an options strategy and understand the risk metrics in plain English.
Scan for option trades that fit your criteria based on target price, date, and investment.
Visualize the risk of your portfolio in the event of a significant market move, including expected profit and loss compared to the S&P 500 Index and simulate your strategy.
Dime Buyback Program.
Pay no per-contract charge when you buy to close an equity option priced at 10¢ or less. This allows you to close short options positions that may have risk, but currently offer little or no reward potential—without paying any contract fees. 5.
Discover options on futures.
Options on futures offer nearly 24-hour access 6 to react around potentially market moving economic events. Hedge existing futures positions, earn premium or speculate while using less money upfront. Plus, diversify into metals, energies, currencies and more.
Options Pricing.
Pricing.
Preferred 30+ Trades / QTR.
Standard.
Options Levels.
Add options trading to an existing brokerage account. Apply now keyboard_arrow_right.
Capital preservation or income.
Income or growth.
Growth or speculation.
Covered calls (sell calls against stock held long) Buy-writes (simultaneously buy stock and sell calll) Covered call rolling (buy a call to close and sell a different call)
All Level 1 strategies, plus:
Long calls and long puts Married puts (buy stock and buy put) Collars Long straddles and long strangles Cash-secured puts (cash on deposit to buy stock if assigned)
All Level 1 and 2 strategies, plus:
Debit spreads and credit spreads Calendar spreads and diagonal spreads (long only) Butterflies and condors Iron butterflies and iron condors Naked puts 7.
All Level 1, 2, and 3 strategies, plus:
*Margin approval is required for Levels 3 and 4.
Important note: Options involve risk and are not suitable for all investors. For more information, please read the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options before you begin trading options. Also, there are specific risks associated with covered call writing, including the risk that the underlying stock could be sold at the exercise price when the current market value is greater than the exercise price the call writer will receive. A covered call writer forgoes participation in any increase in the stock price above the call exercise price and continues to bear the downside risk of stock ownership if the stock price decreases more than the premium received. Because of the importance of tax considerations to all options transactions, the investor considering options should consult their tax advisor as to how taxes affect the outcome of each options strategy. Commissions and other costs may be a significant factor. An options investor may lose the entire amount of their investment in a relatively short period of time.
Learn more about options.
Our knowledge section has info to get you up to speed and keep you there.
Why trade options?
Watch the video to learn the four main reasons investors use options strategies in their portfolios: flexibility, leverage, hedging, and income generation.
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Three common mistakes options traders make.
Take a look at three common mistakes options traders make: setting unrealistic price expectations, buying too little time, and buying more options than are appropriate for a given objective.
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Understanding options Greeks.
An understanding of “the Greeks” can be useful to any options trader. In a nutshell, options Greeks are statistical values that measure different types of risk, such as time, volatility, and price movement. Though you don’t necessarily need to use the Greeks in order to trade options, they can be very helpful in measuring and understanding certain risks.
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Dedicated support for options traders.
Have platform questions? Want to discuss complex trading strategies? Our dedicated Trader Service Team includes many former floor traders and Futures Specialists who share your passion for options trading.
Call us at 800-387-2331 (800-ETRADE-1)
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Investment Products • Not FDIC Insured • No Bank Guarantee • May Lose Value.
PLEASE READ THE IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES BELOW.
Banking products and services are provided by Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association, Member FDIC.
Important Note: Futures and options transactions are intended for sophisticated investors and are complex, carry a high degree of risk, and are not suitable for all investors. For more information, please read the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options and the Risk Disclosure Statement for Futures and Options prior to applying for an account. You can also view the E*TRADE Futures LLC Financial Information and Disclosure Documents.
Supporting documentation for any claims will be provided upon request.
E*TRADE sometimes provides its customers with cash credits or special offers related to the opening or funding of accounts or other activities. E*TRADE credits and offers may be subject to U.S. withholding taxes and reporting at retail value. Taxes related to these offers are the customer’s responsibility. E*TRADE reserves the right to change the offer terms or terminate the offer at any time without notice.
The material provided by E*TRADE Securities LLC, E*TRADE Capital Management, LLC, Morgan Stanley or any of their direct or indirect subsidiaries, or by a third party not affiliated with E*TRADE is for educational purposes only and is not an individualized recommendation. This information neither is, nor should be construed as, an offer or a solicitation of an offer, or a recommendation, to buy, sell, or hold any security, financial product, or instrument discussed herein, or to open a particular account or to engage in any specific investment strategy.
The tools available on Power E*TRADE are not designed to yield variable results specific to your individual financial situation, risk tolerance, or investment goals, and none of the tools should be relied upon in any way to determine the suitability of an investment for you. Before buying or selling any investment, you should carefully consider your individual financial situation, investment objectives, risk tolerance, and liquidity needs, and consult licensed financial and tax professionals to determine for yourself whether the investment is suitable for you.
E*TRADE charges $0 commission for online US-listed stock, ETF, mutual fund, and options trades. Exclusions may apply and E*TRADE reserves the right to charge variable commission rates. The standard options contract fee is $0.65 per contract (or $0.50 per contract for customers who execute at least 30 stock, ETF, and options trades per quarter). The retail online $0 commission does not apply to Over-the-Counter (OTC) securities transactions, foreign stock transactions, large block transactions requiring special handling, or fixed income investments. Service charges apply for trades placed through a broker ($25). Stock plan account transactions are subject to a separate commission schedule. Additional regulatory and exchange fees may apply. For more information about pricing, visit etrade.com/pricing. E*TRADE credits and offers may be subject to US withholding taxes and reporting at retail value. Taxes related to these credits and offer are the customer’s responsibility. Cash credits for Individual Retirement Accounts are treated as earnings for tax purposes. E*TRADE and its affiliates do not provide tax advice. Offer valid for new E*TRADE Securities customers opening one new eligible retirement or brokerage account by 4/18/2023 and funded within 60 days of account opening with $5,000 or more. Promo code ‘ BONUS23 ‘. New customer opening one account: These rules strictly apply to customers who are opening one new E*TRADE account, do not have an existing E*TRADE account and do not open any other new E*TRADE accounts for 60 days after enrollment in this offer. For other circumstances, please refer to the “Existing Customers or New Customers Opening More than One Account” disclosures below. Cash credits will be granted based on deposits of new funds or securities from external accounts made within 60 days of account opening, as follows: $5,000-$19,999 will receive $50; $20,000-$49,999 will receive $100; $50,000-$99,999 will receive $200; $100,000-$199,999 will receive $300; $200,000-$499,999 will receive $600; $500,000-$999,999 will receive $1,200; $1,000,000-$1,499,999 will receive $2,500; $1,500,000 or more will receive $3,500. Reward tiers under $200,000 ($5,000-$19,999; $20,000-$49,999; $50,000-$99,999; $100,000-$199,999) will be paid within seven business days following the expiration of the 60 day period. However, if you deposit $200,000 or more, you will receive a cash credit within seven business days, followed by any additional reward based on your fulfillment tier at the expiration of the 60 day period. If you have deposited at least $200,000 in the new account, and you make subsequent deposits in that account to reach a higher tier, you will receive a second cash credit following the close of the 60 day window. For example, if you deposit $250,000, you will receive a cash credit of $600 within seven business days, then if you deposit an additional $300,000 into your new account, you will receive an additional cash credit of $600 at the end of the 60 day window for a total reward of $1,200. If you deposit between $200,000 and $1,499,999 in your new account, you will receive a cash credit in two transactions at the end of the 60 day window—depending on your initial funding amount. If you deposit $1,500,000 or more in your new account, you will receive two cash credits that will total $3,500 within seven business days. Cash credits will be paid to the account where the deposit is made. Existing customers or new customers opening more than one account are subject to different offer terms. Please click here to view offer terms. Offer rules for all participants: New funds or securities must be deposited or transferred within 60 days of enrollment in offer, be from accounts outside of E*TRADE, and remain in the account (minus any trading losses) for a minimum of six months or the cash credit(s) may be surrendered. For purposes of the value of a deposit, any securities transferred will be valued as of the closing price of the securities at market on the business day the deposit is received as reflected in transaction history. Removing any deposit or cash during the promotion period (60 days) may result in lower reward amount or loss of reward. Any assets transferred from Morgan Stanley accounts to E*TRADE are not considered to be from accounts outside of E*TRADE and may not be included for purposes of offer eligibility or reward amount calculations, at E*TRADE’s sole discretion. If you are attempting to enroll in this offer with a Joint Account, the primary account holder may have to fulfill at the tiers noted before the secondary account holder can enroll in this offer. If you experience any issues when attempting to enroll with a Joint Account, please contact us at 800-387-2331 and we will be able to assist you with your enrollment. Offer limitations: Offer valid for E*TRADE Securities brokerage, Coverdell, and the following types of E*TRADE retirement accounts: Traditional IRA, Individual 401(k), Roth Individual 401(k), Roth IRA, Rollover IRA, Beneficiary Roth IRA, and Beneficiary Traditional IRA This offer is not valid for any business (incorporated or unincorporated) accounts, other E*TRADE Securities retirement account types (SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA, retirement accounts for minors, profit sharing plans, money purchase pension plans and investment only noncustodial retirement plans, Beneficiary IRA Estate, Beneficiary IRA Trust, Beneficiary Roth IRA Estate, Beneficiary Roth IRA Trust), E*TRADE Capital Management, E*TRADE Futures, and Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association accounts. Excludes non-U.S. residents, and residents of any jurisdiction where this offer is not valid. You must be the original recipient of this offer to enroll. Customers may only be enrolled in one offer at a time. Cannot be combined with any other offers. E*TRADE Securities reserves the right to terminate this offer at any time. Consolidation is not right for everyone, so you should carefully consider your options. Before deciding whether to retain assets in a retirement plan account through a former employer, roll them over to a qualified retirement plan account through a new employer (if one is available and rollovers are permitted), or roll them over to an IRA, an investor should consider all his or her options and the various factors including, but not limited to, the differences in investment options, fees and expenses, services, the exceptions to the early withdrawal penalties, protection from creditors and legal judgments, required minimum distributions, the tax treatment of employer stock (if held in the qualified retirement plan account), and the availability of plan loans (i.e., loans are not permitted from IRAs, and the availability of loans from a qualified retirement plan will depend on the terms of the plan). For additional information, view the FINRA Website. If you have multiple IRAs at E*TRADE or at other financial institutions, the annual contribution limit applies to contributions made to all of your IRAs (traditional and Roth IRAs) combined which can impact your ability to make a contribution to an IRA for the current tax year. Before making a contribution, check your other IRAs and refer to the Contribution Limits Table for more details. E*TRADE Securities LLC and its affiliates do not provide tax advice, and you should always consult your own tax advisor regarding your personal circumstances before taking any action that may have tax consequences. This offer neither is, nor should be construed as a recommendation or solicitation to buy, sell, or hold any security, financial product or instrument or to open a particular account or engage in any specific investment strategy.
E*TRADE charges $0 commissions for online US-listed stock, ETF, mutual fund, and options trades. Exclusions may apply and E*TRADE reserves the right to charge variable commission rates. The standard options contract fee is $0.65 per contract (or $0.50 per contract for customers who execute at least 30 stock, ETF, and options trades per quarter). The retail online $0 commission does not apply to Over-the-Counter (OTC) securities transactions, foreign stock transactions, large block transactions requiring special handling, futures, or fixed income investments. Service charges apply for trades placed through a broker ($25). Stock plan account transactions are subject to a separate commission schedule. Additional regulatory and exchange fees may apply. For more information about pricing, visit etrade.com/pricing.
Each futures trade is $1.50 (per side, per contract, plus exchange fees), excluding cryptocurrency futures trades, which are $2.50 (per side, per contract, plus exchange fees). In addition to the per contract, per side commission, futures customers may be assessed additional fees, including applicable futures exchange and National Futures Association fees, as well as brokerage charges for execution of non-electronically traded futures and futures options contracts. These fees are not established by E*TRADE and will vary by exchange. E*TRADE may participate in U.S. futures exchange rebate programs pursuant to which E*TRADE may receive remuneration based on the quantity or volume of orders submitted or trades executed by E*TRADE customers on such exchanges.
In StockBrokers.com’s 2022 Online Broker Review of 15 firms across 200 different variables issued January 11, 2022, and based on evaluation conducted from January 1, 2021 – December 31, 2021, E*TRADE was awarded the #1 Trader App, and #1 Web Trading Platform Awards. In addition, E*TRADE received eleven Best in Class distinctions: Best Overall, Mobile Trading Apps, Customer Service, Offering of Investments, Options Trading, Beginners, IRA Accounts, Futures Trading, Active Trading, Education, and Ease of Use. E*TRADE’s star ratings for all category rankings out of 5: Overall (5.0 stars), Commissions & Fees (4.5 stars), Offering of Investments (5.0 stars), Platforms & Tools (4.5 stars), Research (4.5 stars), Mobile Trading (5.0 stars), Ease of Use (5.0 stars), Education (4.5 stars), Customer Service (4.5 stars). Read the 2022 Online Broker Review.
The Dime Buyback program does not apply to futures options. Exchange and regulatory fees still apply.
Other than CME Equity Index contracts, which trade 24/6, all other futures markets are available through the E*TRADE platform nearly 24 hours a day, six days a week (Sunday 5 p.m. CT to Friday 4 p.m. CT). For more information on futures contract trade specifications, including, tick size, tick value, margin requirements, and trading hours, visit etrade.com/futures.
To place a naked equity call or put trade (Levels 3 and 4) you must have margin equity of at least $5,000 in your margin account. At Levels 3 and 4, margin customers will be allowed to enter naked short put positions. These positions will be subject to the naked maintenance margin requirement rather than the cash-secured requirement.
Securities products offered by E*TRADE Securities LLC (ETS), Member SIPC or Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (MSSB), Member SIPC . Investment advisory services offered by E*TRADE Capital Management, LLC (ETCM) or MSSB. Commodity futures and options on futures products and services offered by E*TRADE Futures LLC, Member NFA . Stock plan administration solutions and services offered by E*TRADE Financial Corporate Services, Inc. Banking products and services are provided by Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association, Member FDIC . All entities are separate but affiliated subsidiaries of Morgan Stanley.
Throughout 2023, ETS and ETCM will be transitioning existing clients to MSSB. Learn more about this transition.
System response and account access times may vary due to a variety of factors, including trading volumes, market conditions, system performance, and other factors.
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