As far as I know, it's not an IB-specific issue. EDIT: You can try asking CBOE/OIC why this is the case. They promptly answer questions.
I don't know, it probably has to do with exchange rules or something.
Only market makers are allowed to do that.
Darn, there goes my plan! :D
It's usually calculated as an index similar to VIX calculation. Some providers just calculate an ATM IV volatility.
:D Good one!
Generally it is calculated as an index similar to VIX.
That's the million dollar question. There is no rule of thumb or formula.
(1) It's not better to be paid than paying. There is absolutely no difference. If you sell a spread and get paid then you also have a margin...
As others have already pointed out, yes, you can exercise an option into a futures contract. Options are always exercised into the next available...
Which prices are you looking at to compare them? Last trade, bid/ask,...?
There are two January chains. The one with fractional strikes is the standard one, while the other one is non-standard (adjusted). The 25 call...
No, there's no way to have the same effect. That's the whole purpose of a spread.
The gap could be anything depending on the news flow.
These are only to replace the current weekly options not the standard monthly ones.
Jan VIX options are priced off of the Jan VIX futures, which are @ 24.10, not spot VIX so that $3 premium over spot you mention is completely...
If you need to be really precise then you should go with hours to expiry rather than days. For your second question, you use calendar days not...
Don't forget that there is a trade off with trading 2-3 months out condors rather than front month - time decay is relatively low in the beginning...
First of all, let me say that the last 5 months have been absolutely perfect for iron condors so please don't make any extrapolations about your...
You have two problems with that. First, VIX options don't have Leaps, they only go out to May11. And second, even if there were Leaps, the front...
Separate names with a comma.