InvestHL Archives | Page 16 of 67

Oct

2023

A Guide To Derivatives Trading

By Brian Nibley | Growing Wealth, invest, Investing | Comments Off

“Derivative” is an umbrella term that refers to any kind of financial security that derives its value from another asset. A derivative exists as a contract between two parties, and its value fluctuates in direct relation to its underlying asset. Some of the most commonly used assets that derivative contracts focus on include commodities, stocks, bonds, and currencies.

Futures and options contracts are examples of widely known derivatives. Credit-default swaps (CDS) are a lesser used, and riskier, form of derivatives, since they’re traded off of exchanges and the contract parties in that case do not own the underlying asset.

What Is a Trading Derivative?

A trading derivative is any contract that derives its value from an underlying asset. The nature of the relationship between the derivative and the underlying asset varies depending on the type of derivative.

Investors engage in trading derivatives for three main reasons:

• to hedge a position

• to gain leverage on a position

• to speculate on the future price of an asset

They’re a common tool for institutional investors, and also often used as a day trading strategy.

💡 Quick Tip: Look for an online brokerage with low trading commissions as well as no account minimum. Higher fees can cut into investment returns over time.

Types of Derivatives

Here are a few examples of different kinds of derivatives and how they work.

Options

An option gives the owner the right (but not the obligation) to buy or sell an asset at a certain price in a specific timeframe. Savvy investors can use options to make a profit regardless of whether the market is going up or down.

The two most basic types of options are call options and put options. Call options give the owner the option to buy an asset at a specific price over a set time frame, while put options give the owner the right to sell an asset at a specific price over a set time frame.

The two main aspects of a put or call option are the strike price and the expiry date. The strike price is the price at which the owner intends to buy or sell the security, and the expiry date is the date by which the option must either expire or be exercised. Employee stock options are one type of derivative, in which the employees can (but do not have to) purchase shares of their company in the future at a price set today.

There are also many complex options trading strategies that include multiple “legs,” or multiple options contracts on the same underlying security. Some investors use “naked options,” which are a riskier form of option, in which the trader does not own the underlying security or have cash set aside to meet the obligation at expiration.

Futures Contracts

Often referred to simply as “futures,” futures contracts represent an obligation between a buyer and seller to exchange an asset for a fixed price on a selected date. Most futures trades take place on large exchanges and involve commodities such as oil, soybeans, or copper.

Farmers have used futures since the 1850s to reduce investment risk over future price fluctuations for their crops. Today, futures exist for many commodities and financial markets. These derivatives are mostly used as a form of speculation, where traders seek to make a quick profit.

Futures are sold on stock exchanges and have a standard form regulated by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).

Forward Contracts

Forward contracts are similar to futures contracts. But unlike futures, forward contracts are customized between the two parties entering into an agreement, as opposed to being standardized by regulators. Forwards are over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives and are not traded on exchanges. This market is private and unregulated.

Is Derivative Trading Profitable?

Derivatives tend to have high investment risk, but also offer high potential rewards. Large profits can be made quickly, but bets can go bad just as easily.

Depending on how they’re used, derivatives can range from simple speculation to being an integral part of an advanced, sophisticated strategy that incorporates many different types of investments.

Derivatives trading is especially risky for new investors who might not understand the bets they are making. Derivatives contracts involve many more variables than simply buying shares of a stock, and placing trades on an exchange can be confusing.

💡 Quick Tip: Newbie investors may be tempted to buy into the market based on recent news headlines or other types of hype. That’s rarely a good idea. Making good choices shouldn’t stem from strong emotions, but a solid investment strategy.

What Is a Derivative Trading Example?

Imagine an investor has their eye on a particular stock that they think will rise in price soon. One way to profit would be to buy shares. Another way would be to buy a derivative, such as a call option.

Our imaginary investor decides to buy a call option contract on ABC company. The strike price could be ten dollars higher than the current price, while the expiry date could be three months from now.

This could create a profit for the investor in two possible ways. The stock price could rise above the strike price of the call option, at which point the investor can sell the contract for more than it was purchased for.

Or, the investor can wait for the expiry date to come, at which point she will receive shares of the underlying stock at a price lower than their current market value.

How Are Derivatives Valued?

On the most basic level, the market values derivatives according to simple supply-and-demand dynamics as well as variables specific to the option itself, i.e. strike price and expiration date.

An options contract, for example, might be worth whatever people are willing to pay for it. This can change quickly and sometimes dramatically based on market conditions and news. Investors consider an option “out of the money” if its strike price is lower than the market price of the underlying asset.

On a more advanced level, investors can determine what the actual value of a derivative should be, as opposed to its current market value at any given moment.

One method for valuing derivatives is the Black Scholes model, a mathematical formula for determining market value for European call options. This formula takes into account several variables such as the implied volatility of an option, time left until expiration, and the present value of the option.

How Can Derivatives Be Used to Earn Income?

Investors use a variety of derivatives trading strategies. One common approach is a cash-secured put.

This derivatives trading strategy involves selling an out-of-the-money put option while also putting aside the money necessary to buy the underlying stock if it falls to the option’s strike price. The goal is typically to acquire shares of the stock at a price lower than it is trading at today, but investors also earn income in the form of a premium.

A premium is the price an investor pays for acquiring an options contract. Premiums are determined by the relationship between the underlying stock price and the strike price of the option, the length of time until the option expires, and how much the price of the stock fluctuates.

A premium of $0.20 per option contract, for example, would amount to $20 per contract, if one options contract represents 100 shares ($0.20 x 100 = $20).

So, if an investor were to place a cash-secured put with a strike price of $40 for a stock that currently trades at $50, they would need to set aside $4,000 and sell (or “write”) the associated put option.

Recommended: Guide to Writing Put Options

Then, if the price falls to $40 before the expiration time, the investor would buy shares at that price and keep the premium. Or, if the price doesn’t fall to the $40 level, the option will expire, worthless, and the investor will also keep the premium.

The Takeaway

Derivatives trading strategies provide a more advanced way to trade and speculate in the markets, earn income, or hedge a portfolio. Derivatives trading is more complex than simply buying and selling securities, comes with greater risk, and can potentially earn greater rewards. It’s common in certain sectors, such as precious metals or currency trading.

Given their complexities, derivatives may not be the best focus for beginner investors. They are complicated and risky, and it’s easy to find yourself in over your head. It may be a good idea to talk to a financial professional if you do want to explore your options, however.

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For a limited time, opening and funding an Active Invest account gives you the opportunity to get up to $1,000 in the stock of your choice.

Photo credit: iStock/solidcolours

SoFi Invest®
INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE
SoFi Invest encompasses two distinct companies, with various products and services offered to investors as described below: Individual customer accounts may be subject to the terms applicable to one or more of these platforms.
1) Automated Investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser (“SoFi Wealth“). Brokerage services are provided to SoFi Wealth LLC by SoFi Securities LLC.
2) Active Investing and brokerage services are provided by SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA (www.finra.org)/SIPC(www.sipc.org). Clearing and custody of all securities are provided by APEX Clearing Corporation.
For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest platforms described above please visit SoFi.com/legal.
Neither the Investment Advisor Representatives of SoFi Wealth, nor the Registered Representatives of SoFi Securities are compensated for the sale of any product or service sold through any SoFi Invest platform.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Options involve risks, including substantial risk of loss and the possibility an investor may lose the entire amount invested in a short period of time. Before an investor begins trading options they should familiarize themselves with the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options . Tax considerations with options transactions are unique, investors should consult with their tax advisor to understand the impact to their taxes.
Claw Promotion: Customer must fund their Active Invest account with at least $25 within 30 days of opening the account. Probability of customer receiving $1,000 is 0.028%. See full terms and conditions.

SOIN0623050

Sep

2023

What Happened During Tulip Mania?

By Ashley Kilroy | Growing Wealth, invest, Investing | Comments Off

One of the most famous instances of an asset bubble was the “Tulip Mania” that erupted in Holland during the 17th century. It was the first recorded major financial bubble, during which demand for tulips exploded, and prices for the flowers followed suit.

This led some investors to speculatively purchase tulips, resulting in losses when prices fell back down. Despite Tulip Mania occurring centuries ago, it can still be used as a history lesson for current traders and investors.

What Was Tulip Mania?

Tulip Mania was a speculative frenzy that erupted in Holland during the 17th century. The Dutch were newly independent of Spain and building themselves into prosperous traders. The mid-1600s was a period of wealth for them, as they benefited from rare imports brought through the Dutch East India Company.

Interest in exotic items was at an all-time high, and collectors became fascinated with not just tulips, but “broken” tulips. These tulips came from bulbs and grew into striped or multicolored patterns. As demand grew, more companies began selling bulbs.

The most famous tales about Tulip Mania sound like something out of a book. People of all walks of life bought the flowers in a frenzy at sometimes extremely high prices. They hoped for significant returns and to escape their social classes, but they met financial disaster. Those investors fell into ruin when the tulip bubble burst in 1637 – similar to the dotcom bubble in more recent times – and some of the stories even detail tragic endings; people losing everything and drowning themselves in the canals. All because a tulip-incited mass hysteria that created a financial crisis.

But, is it really true?

💡 Quick Tip: If you’re opening a brokerage account for the first time, consider starting with an amount of money you’re prepared to lose. Investing always includes the risk of loss, and until you’ve gained some experience, it’s probably wise to start small.

What Really Happened During Tulip Mania?

The “mania” in the story of Tulip Mania comes from an 1841 account by a Scottish author named Charles MacKay. His Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds detailed a “tulipomania” where people poured years of salaries into the speculative tulip trade. From farmers, to nobles, to chimney-sweeps, he documented every class buying in. Then, the memoir described mayhem following the market collapse in 1637. Ultimately, MacKay created a dramatic tale that was more fiction than fact.

There was a Dutch tulip bulb market during the Dutch Golden Age. However, traders were limited to buyers with the finances to invest in luxury items. Typically, this group included merchants, artisans, and the upper class.

Additionally, the price increase was not consistent. Between December 1636 and February 1637, some highly sought-after bulbs experienced a price spike. Some of the most expensive went for 5,000 guilders, which equaled the value of a nice home in 1637. Or, there is evidence that the highest bid totaled out to 5,200 guilders. That matched 20 times the yearly salary of a skilled worker. But these prices were the exception, not the rule.

That leaves the final part of the story: the fallout.

Tulip Mania Bubble Burst

Tulip Mania is the classic and most well-known historical example of a financial bubble.

Traders bought into the bulbs with the intent to resell and earn a profit. However, the flowers’ held no inherent value. Their status as a luxury item determined their prices and pushed demand. In fact, demand grew so high that professional traders began bidding on the product on the Stock Exchange of Amsterdam. People even used margined derivative contracts to increase the number of tulips they could buy despite their financial limits.

But before spring even hit, the bubble burst. The mania fell away after the tulips lost their value when the supply of tulips increased due to warmer weather. With so many of the crops, bulb traders realized the product wasn’t as rare as they thought. An auction in Haarlem in February of 1637 seemed to solidify the thought when the auctioneers failed to sell any bulbs.

When the prices dropped, traders had to sell their holdings for a lower value. However, this led to a few broken relationships and lost reputations, not any tragic deaths.

So, there was no morbid end when the Tulip Mania bubble burst. MacKay reported that Holland’s national economy fell apart due to the volatile market crash, but those claims appear exaggerated. The bubble only impacted those who were involved in the Tulip trade, and most investors were in an easily salvageable position. They financially recovered relatively quickly. On the other hand, growers did struggle to replace the lost buyers when certain contracts fell through.

What Tulip Mania Reveals About Financial Markets

While the story is more straightforward than MacKay made many believe, it is still a valuable moment in economic history. It became a parable that explains the nature of bubbles and the crashes that occurred throughout the history of the stock market.

Part of its value as a lesson stems from its moment in time. Multiple bubbles followed Tulip Mania, including the railroad mania bubble during the 1840s, where commentators encouraged investors to buy into U.K. railway stocks or in the early 2000s when Americans began speculating in residential housing before that bubble burst.

The dynamics behind each of these events is similar to the dynamics of the tulip bubble. Speculators drive up the price of an asset beyond its intrinsic value until the bubble eventually busts and those who bought at the top of the market end up losing money in the market downturn.

The Takeaway

Tulip Mania is perhaps the penultimate example of a market bubble, which still resonates today, even though it occurred in Holland centuries ago. Bubbles can also occur in the pricing of individual securities, sectors, or the broader stock market, eventually leading to a crash in prices.

A stock market crash is an alarming time that can send many investors into a panic. They see the drop and move immediately to selling. However, panic selling in the face of market volatility can have disastrous effects on a portfolio. Either you sell when the market is struggling and earn lower returns as a result, or you miss out on the market rebound.

For a limited time, opening and funding an Active Invest account gives you the opportunity to get up to $1,000 in the stock of your choice.

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Sep

2023

What Is a Leverage Ratio?

By Laurel Tincher | Financial Independence, Growing Wealth, invest, Investing | Comments Off

Leverage ratios are a collection of formulas commonly used to compare how much debt, or leverage, a company has relative to its assets and equity. It shows whether a company is using more equity or more debt to finance its operations. Understanding a company’s debt situation is a key part of fundamental analysis during stock research. Calculating its financial leverage ratio helps potential investors understand a company’s ability to pay off its debt.

A high leverage ratio could indicate that a company has taken on more debt than it can pay off with its current cash flows, potentially making the company a riskier investment.

How to Calculate Leverage

A company increases its leverage by taking on more debt, acquiring an asset through a lease, buying back its own stock using borrowed funds, or by acquiring another company using borrowed funds.

There are several types of leverage ratios, which compare a company’s or an individual’s debt levels to other financial indicators. Some commonly used ones are:

Debt-to-Assets Ratio

This ratio compares a company’s debt to its assets. It is calculated by dividing total debt by total assets. A higher ratio could indicate that the company has purchased the majority of its assets with debt. That could be a warning sign that the company doesn’t have enough cash or profits to pay off these debts.

Formula: Total debt / total assets

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (D/E)

The debt-to-equity ratio compares a company’s debt to its equity. It is calculated by dividing total debt by total equity. If this ratio is high, it could indicate that the company has been financing its growth using debt.

The appropriate D/E ratio will vary by company. Some industries require more capital and some companies may need to take on more debt. Comparing ratios of companies in the same industry can give you a sense of what the typical ranges are.

Formula: Total debt / total equity

Asset-to-Equity Ratio

This is similar to the D/E ratio, but uses assets instead of debt. Assets include debt, so debt is still included in the overall ratio. If this ratio is high, it means the company is funding its operations mostly with assets and debt rather than equity.

Formula: Total assets / total equity

Debt-to-Capital Ratio

Another popular ratio, this one looks at a company’s debt liabilities and its total capital. It includes both short- and long-term debt, as well as shareholder equity. If this ratio is high, this may be a sign that the company is a risky investment.

Formula: Debt-to-capital ratio: Total debt / (total debt + total shareholder equity)

Degree of Financial Leverage

This calculation shows how a company’s operating income or earnings before interest (EBIT) and taxes will impact its earnings per share (EPS). If a company takes on more debt, it may have less stable earnings. This can be a good thing if the debt helps the company earn more money, but if the company goes through a less profitable period it could have a harder time paying off the debt.

Formula: % change in earnings per share / % change in earnings before interest and taxes

Consumer Leverage Ratio

This ratio compares the average American consumer’s debt to their disposable income. If consumers go into more debt, their spending can help fuel the economy, but it can also lead to larger economic problems.

Formula: Total household debt / disposable personal income

💡 Quick Tip: Investment fees are assessed in different ways, including trading costs, account management fees, and possibly broker commissions. When you set up an investment account, be sure to get the exact breakdown of your “all-in costs” so you know what you’re paying.

Ways to Use Leverage Ratio Calculations

Understanding the definition of leverage ratio and the formulas for various types, is the first step toward using the measurement to make investing decisions. Investors use leverage ratios as a tool to measure the risk of investing in a company.

Simply put, they show how much borrowed money a company is using. Each industry is different, and the amount of debt a company has may differ depending on who its competitors are and other factors, such as its historical profits. In a very competitive industry or one that requires significant capital investment, it may be riskier to invest in or lend to a company with a high leverage ratio.

The interest rates companies are paying matters also, since debt at a lower rate has a smaller impact on the bottom line.

Regardless of industry, If a company can not pay back its debts, it may end up going bankrupt, and the investor could lose their money. On the other hand, if a company is using some leverage to fuel growth, this can be a good sign for investors. This means shareholders can see a greater return on equity when the company profits off of that growth. If a company can’t or chooses not to borrow any money, that could signal that they have tight margins, which may also be a warning sign for investors.

Investors can also use leverage ratios to understand how a potential change in expenses or income might affect the company.

How Lenders Use Leverage Ratios

In addition to investors, potential lenders calculate leverage ratios to figure out how much they are willing to lend to a company. These calculations are completed in addition to other calculations to provide a comprehensive picture of the company’s financial situation.

Overall, leverage ratio is one calculation amongst many that are used to evaluate a company for potential investment or lending.

How Leverage is Created

There are several different ways companies or individuals create leverage These include:

• A company may borrow money to fund the acquisition of another business by issuing bonds

• Large companies can take out “cash flow loans” based on their credit status

• A company may purchase assets such as equipment or property using “asset-backed lending”

• A company or private equity firm may do a leveraged buyout

• Individuals take out a mortgage to purchase a house

• Individual investors who trade options, futures, and margins may use leverage to increase their position

• Investors may borrow money against their investment portfolio

The Takeaway

All leverage ratios are a measure of a company’s risk. Understanding basic formulas for fundamental analysis is an important strategy when starting to invest in stocks. Such formulas can help investors weigh the risks of a particular asset investment and compare assets to one another.

There are numerous ways to use leverage ratios, and lenders can use them as well. In all, knowing the basics about them can help broaden your knowledge and understanding of the financial industry.

For a limited time, opening and funding an Active Invest account gives you the opportunity to get up to $1,000 in the stock of your choice.

Photo credit: iStock/MicroStockHub

SOIN0623017

Sep

2023

How to Invest in Opportunity Zone Funds

By Brian O'Connell | Growing Wealth, invest, Investing | Comments Off

The Qualified Opportunity Zone program is an initiative aimed at incentivizing investors to allocate cash to economically distressed communities who could benefit from the capital.

The Qualified Opportunity Zone program, highlighted by the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, was rolled out as part of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The program allows some U.S. investors to offset capital gains taxes under certain conditions by investing in some communities.

What Is an Opportunity Zone Fund?

Opportunity Zone (OZ) Investment Funds are a type of alternative investment fund that offers capital gains tax relief for some investments aimed at revitalizing communities. Opportunity Zones represent what the Internal Revenue Service calls an “economic development tool,” designed to accelerate economic development and job creation in economically struggling U.S. communities.

The Treasury Department determines eligible Opportunity Zones, of which there are thousands spread across the United States. Corporations or partners establish an Opportunity Zone Fund and use it to invest in properties located in a recognized opportunity zone.

💡 Quick Tip: Before opening an investment account, know your investment objectives, time horizon, and risk tolerance. These fundamentals will help keep your strategy on track and with the aim of meeting your goals.

How to Invest in a Qualified Opportunity Zone Fund

To take advantage of the tax-efficient investment benefits of OZ investing, interested partners must first register as a corporation or partnership, complete IRS form 8996, and file the form along with their federal tax returns. After gaining approval by the IRS, the fund must commit at least 90% of its assets to a specific Opportunity Zone. Once that threshold is cleared, the QOF is eligible for capital gains tax relief.

Qualified Opportunity Fund Investment Requirements

The money that Qualified Funds invest in distressed communities must also fit the Treasury Department’s criteria of an Opportunity Zone investor.

• The Fund must make significant upgrades to the community properties they invest in with fund dollars.

• The investment must be made within 30 months of becoming eligible as a Qualified Opportunity Fund.

• The investment must meet specific Treasury Department financial investment standards. In other words, the investments made in community properties must be equal or superior to the original value paid by the Opportunity Zone investment fund. For instance, if an Opportunity Zone Fund purchased a distressed property for $500,000, that investor has the 30-month window to steer at least $500,000 into the Opportunity Zone property improvements.

• Some Opportunity Zone properties qualify for opportunity funds (private and multi-family homes, business settings and non-profit properties) and some don’t. For example, golf and country clubs, liquor stores, massage parlors, and gambling facilities do not qualify as Opportunity Zone investments.

• The investor must commit to a timely investment in Qualified Opportunity Funds – the longer the time, the bigger the capital gain deferral. The IRS says the tax deferral may last until the exact date on which the Qualified Opportunity Fund is sold or exchanged, or by December 31, 2026. By law, the investor has 180 days from a capital gains sales event to turn those gains into an Opportunity Zone investment.

• The funding program is tiered, with a 10% tax exclusion offered to investors who hold a Qualified Investment Fund investment for at least five years. If the investor holds the investment for seven years, the tax exclusion rises to 15%. If the investor stays in for 10 years or more, the IRS allows for an adjustment based on the amount of the QOF investment based on its fair market value on the exact date the investment is sold or exchanged. Any appreciation in the fund investment isn’t taxed at all, according to the IRS.

• Opportunity Zone investors don’t have to physically reside in the communities they financially support, nor do they have to hold a place of business in that community. The only criteria for eligibility is making a qualified financial investment in an eligible, economically distressed community and the ability to defer the tax on investment gains.

Opportunity Zone Investment Considerations

Investors looking to defer capital gains taxes may view Qualified Opportunity Funds as an attractive proposition. Before signing off on any Opportunity Zone commitments, however, investors may want to review some key facts and investment risks worth keeping in mind when investing in OZs.

Real Estate as an Investment

Since Opportunity Zone funding focuses on distressed communities, most investments are real estate oriented, making it an alternative investment that may be part of a balanced portfolio. Typical Opportunity Zone investments include multi-family housing, apartment buildings, parking garages, small business dwellings/strip malls, and storage sheds, among other structures.

Recognize the Up-Front Cost Realities

Opportunity Zones are a high priority for public policy administrators, which is one reason QOFs require high minimum investments. Up front minimums of $1 million aren’t uncommon with Opportunity Zone Funds, and investors should know that going into any funding situation. In most cases, that means that accredited investors are more likely than other individuals investors to take advantage of OZ investing.

Your Cash May Be Tied up for a Long Time

To optimize the capital gains tax break, Opportunity Zone investors should count on their money being tied up for 10 years. Funds need that time to collect and disseminate cash, choose the appropriate potential properties for investment, and conduct the actual remodeling or upgrades needed to turn those properties into profitable enterprises. Thus, lock-up timetables can go on for a decade or longer.

Management Fees Can Eat into Portfolio Profits

Like any professionally managed financial vehicle, Qualified Opportunity Funds come with investment fees and expenses that can cut into profits. While many investors opt for Opportunity Zone investments for the tax breaks, those investors may also expect their investment to generate healthy returns. To get those returns, they can expect to pay the fees and expenses associated with any professional managed investment fund.

The Takeaway

Investing in Opportunity Zone funds allows some U.S. investors to offset capital gains taxes under certain conditions by investing in some communities. These funds are a type of alternative investment that may be an attractive addition to a portfolio.

Above all else, Opportunity Zone funds come with a healthy measure of risk, including investment risk, liquidity risk, market risk, and business risk. While the promise of a tax break and the opportunity to boost worn-down U.S. communities are appealing, any decision to invest in Opportunity Zones should be made with the consultation of a trusted financial advisor –- ideally one well-versed in tax shelters and real estate investing.

For a limited time, opening and funding an Active Invest account gives you the opportunity to get up to $1,000 in the stock of your choice.

Photo credit: iStock/photobyphotoboy

SoFi Invest®
INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE
SoFi Invest encompasses two distinct companies, with various products and services offered to investors as described below: Individual customer accounts may be subject to the terms applicable to one or more of these platforms.
1) Automated Investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser (“SoFi Wealth“). Brokerage services are provided to SoFi Wealth LLC by SoFi Securities LLC.
2) Active Investing and brokerage services are provided by SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA (www.finra.org)/SIPC(www.sipc.org). Clearing and custody of all securities are provided by APEX Clearing Corporation.
For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest platforms described above please visit SoFi.com/legal.
Neither the Investment Advisor Representatives of SoFi Wealth, nor the Registered Representatives of SoFi Securities are compensated for the sale of any product or service sold through any SoFi Invest platform.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Fund Fees
If you invest in Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) through SoFi Invest (either by buying them yourself or via investing in SoFi Invest’s automated investments, formerly SoFi Wealth), these funds will have their own management fees. These fees are not paid directly by you, but rather by the fund itself. these fees do reduce the fund’s returns. Check out each fund’s prospectus for details. SoFi Invest does not receive sales commissions, 12b-1 fees, or other fees from ETFs for investing such funds on behalf of advisory clients, though if SoFi Invest creates its own funds, it could earn management fees there.
SoFi Invest may waive all, or part of any of these fees, permanently or for a period of time, at its sole discretion for any reason. Fees are subject to change at any time. The current fee schedule will always be available in your Account Documents section of SoFi Invest.

Claw Promotion: Customer must fund their Active Invest account with at least $25 within 30 days of opening the account. Probability of customer receiving $1,000 is 0.028%. See full terms and conditions.

SOIN0623054

Sep

2023

What Is Quadruple Witching?

By Matthew Zeitlin | Financial Independence, Growing Wealth, invest, Investing | Comments Off

Quadruple witching refers to the simultaneous expiration of four popular investment contracts, creating wild market conditions. Given its name, it may just be the spookiest day of the year for investors – sorry, Halloween! Quadruple witching day occurs on the third Friday in March, June, September, and December.

The last hour of those trading days is known as the “quadruple witching hour”, when many derivatives contracts expire, often creating volatility in the markets. That’s because there may be higher market volume on those days as traders either close out or roll over their positions.

What is Quadruple Witching Day?

Quadruple witching, or quad witching, is trader’s terminology for the four dates on the calendar when four kinds of options contracts expire: stock options, stock index futures, index options, and stock futures.

Each of the contracts has expiration dates that will match up each quarter, which is why quadruple witching, or quad witching, happens in the third, sixth, ninth and twelfth month of the year respectively. The expiration for these contracts happen at the same time in the day — the afternoon.

While events like quadruple witching may not impact how and when you invest (especially if you’re investing for the long term), they are a good reminder of the investment risks that any investing strategy or approach brings.

How much attention individual investors pay to witching day may depend on their investing philosophy and their time horizon. Since quad witching can result in short-term volatility, many passive investors may ignore them entirely. On the other hand, active investors who try to time the market and get in and out of trades quickly in the most advantageous manner, may use them to inform their strategy and consider buying or selling witching hour stocks.

Contracts Involved in Quad Witching

To understand quadruple witching, you have to first understand the different options contracts involved. Stock index futures, stock index options, single stock futures and single stock options are all derivatives, meaning their value corresponds to the value or change in value of an underlying asset. The underlying assets are either stock market indexes, like the S&P 500, or individual company stocks.

Options contracts give holders the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell a stock at a certain price at a future date. Futures contracts are contracts to purchase shares of a given stock at a certain price in the future.

For indices, futures and options are contracts on the value of an equity index. Investors often use these either to hedge or make outright speculations on the moves of an index. All four derivatives are complex investments that involve risks when playing the market, and they’re more often used by professional traders and institutional traders than retail investors.

How Does Quadruple Witching Affect the Market?

Quadruple witching days are those four days of the year when these types of contracts all expire, those who bought contracts and choose to exercise them will receive their stock or cash, or they make additional transactions to take advantage of arbitrage opportunities.

This can lead to more buying and selling of shares than is typical for a given day or, especially a given hour. Increased volume can mean more volatility in the markets and the possibility of large swings during the day.

One reason these days can cause hiccups in the markets is that while certain positions expire, investors may want to extend them. This means they have to “roll” the bet in order to keep it active, potentially forcing other players in the market to buy or sell, especially if the market is already volatile or choppy.

For trades that involve the transfer or automatic buying of stock, like options trades on individual shares, the quadruple witching date can mean automatic buying up of shares to fulfill the options contracts, leading to spikes even if there is no “fundamental” reason for them.

Overall, volumes in options trades can go up on quadruple witching days, which can sometimes have knock-on effects on the price of the underlying assets involved in options contracts.

The Takeaway

Quadruple witching day occurs on the third Friday in March, June, September, and December. The last hour of those trading days is known as the “quadruple witching hour”, when many derivatives contracts expire, often creating volatility in the markets. That’s because there may be higher market volume on those days as traders either close out or roll over their positions.

Quadruple witching offers an opportunity to understand how market mechanics can affect actual prices, but it may not impact the strategy for most long-term investors. More experienced investors and traders may find profitable opportunities, however, as the markets enter a period of volatility.

For a limited time, opening and funding an Active Invest account gives you the opportunity to get up to $1,000 in the stock of your choice.

Photo credit: iStock/Radachynskyi

SOIN0623052

A Guide To Derivatives Trading

What Is a Trading Derivative?

Types of Derivatives

Options

Futures Contracts

Forward Contracts

Is Derivative Trading Profitable?

What Is a Derivative Trading Example?

How Are Derivatives Valued?

How Can Derivatives Be Used to Earn Income?

The Takeaway

What Happened During Tulip Mania?

What Was Tulip Mania?

What Really Happened During Tulip Mania?

Tulip Mania Bubble Burst

What Tulip Mania Reveals About Financial Markets

The Takeaway

What Is a Leverage Ratio?

How to Calculate Leverage

Debt-to-Assets Ratio

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (D/E)

Asset-to-Equity Ratio

Debt-to-Capital Ratio

Degree of Financial Leverage

Consumer Leverage Ratio

Ways to Use Leverage Ratio Calculations

How Lenders Use Leverage Ratios

How Leverage is Created

The Takeaway

How to Invest in Opportunity Zone Funds

What Is an Opportunity Zone Fund?

How to Invest in a Qualified Opportunity Zone Fund

Qualified Opportunity Fund Investment Requirements

Opportunity Zone Investment Considerations

Real Estate as an Investment

Recognize the Up-Front Cost Realities

Your Cash May Be Tied up for a Long Time

Management Fees Can Eat into Portfolio Profits

The Takeaway

What Is Quadruple Witching?

What is Quadruple Witching Day?

Contracts Involved in Quad Witching

How Does Quadruple Witching Affect the Market?

The Takeaway

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