Trading

Learn how to develop and implement a trading plan that consists of analyzing the markets, filtering for potential opportunities, assessing risks, executing trades, and evaluating results. 

Margin

Option Traders: How Portfolio Margin Works

Portfolio margin is available to qualified Schwab clients who have a margin account and meet the requirements. Learn more about what it is, how it works, and the risks involved.

Markets and Economy

Are Transports Losing Their Barometer Status?

Amid tech competition and industry challenges, transports—long seen as an economic barometer—were outpaced by major indexes over the last year. Is the sector still a useful tool?

Trading

Trading the VIX: Strategies for the Fear Index

Some traders use products tied to the VIX to hedge their portfolios against market declines or speculate on shifts in volatility. But trading the VIX carries significant risk.

Options

Box Spreads: What They Are and How to Use Them

A box spread options strategy can be a useful cash management tool when executed correctly, potentially helping traders lend or borrow money synthetically via the options market.

Options

Intro to Put Ratio Options Spreads

Discover how traders may use put ratio options spreads to pursue specific financial objectives, as well as the strategy's advantages and risks.

Company Earnings

Q3 Retail Earnings Preview: Consumer Mood Darkens

Consumers are in a sour mood over inflation and jobs as major retailers prepare to report earnings and offer their outlooks for the holiday shopping period.

Margin

Margin Loans and Purchased Money Market Funds

Money market funds aren't the same as cash when it comes to margin loans. Understanding the key differences can help avoid surprise margin loans and interest charges.

Investments

Round Lots Regulatory Changes

New regulations will impact how bid, ask, and last sizes display on Schwab platforms starting Nov. 3, 2025. The updates will take effect automatically—no client action is required.

Options

Unbalanced Butterfly and Strong Directional Bias

A guide to using unbalanced butterflies for traders who have a strong directional bias but want to generate income and ensure they have defined risk.

Options

A Guide to the Covered Strangle Options Strategy

Learn how covered strangles can potentially help traders earn extra income from options and manage their stock positions during periods of sideways trading.

The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax, legal or investment planning advice. Where specific advice is necessary or appropriate, consult with a qualified tax advisor, CPA, financial planner or investment manager.

Investing involves risk, including loss of principal. Hedging and protective strategies generally involve additional costs and do not assure a profit or guarantee against loss.

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. Supporting documentation for any claims or statistical information is available upon request.

With long options, investors may lose 100% of funds invested.

Covered calls provide downside protection only to the extent of premiums received, and prevent any profitability above the strike price of the call.

Cryptocurrency- related products carry a substantial level of risk and are not suitable for all investors. Investments in cryptocurrencies are relatively new, highly speculative, and may be subject to extreme price volatility, illiquidity, and increased risk of loss, including your entire investment in the fund. Spot markets on which cryptocurrencies trade are relatively new and largely unregulated, and therefore, may be more exposed to fraud and security breaches than established, regulated exchanges for other financial assets or instruments. Some cryptocurrency-related products use futures contracts to attempt to duplicate the performance of an investment in cryptocurrency, which may result in unpredictable pricing, higher transaction costs, and performance that fails to track the price of the reference cryptocurrency as intended. Please read more about risks of trading cryptocurrency futures here.

Futures, futures options and Forex 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.

Forex trading involves leverage, carries a substantial level of risk, and is not suitable for all investors. Please read the Risk Disclosure for Forex.

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