I have just sold equity options in the past but read a lot about benefits or futures options either in addition to or in replace of. Has anyone had experience with both of these and can give feedback about the good, bad, or otherwise of using together or individually?
Most futures options are not very liquid and many stocks options are. The exp. dates and time for futures options can be tricky which you definitely need a trading calendar.
Here is some posts I did on futures options on my blog. Part 1 http://sigmaoptions.blogspot.com/2009/08/future-options-bit-different.html Part 2 http://sigmaoptions.blogspot.com/2009/08/futures-options-part-2.html Part 3 http://sigmaoptions.blogspot.com/2009/08/futures-options-part-3.html Liquidity can be an issue sometimes, particularly in the serial options, but I still like them in certain well defined circumstances.
Go to options contact specs page http://www.cmegroup.com/trading/fx/fx/canadian-dollar_contractSpecs_options.html for expiry dates etc
From the link I posted: Last Trading Day (expiry): Quarterly and Serial Options: Close of trading is on the second Friday immediately preceding the third Wednesday of the contract month. (2:00 p.m. CT) Weekly Options: Close of trading is on the four nearest Fridays that are not also terminations for quarterly and serial options. (2:00 p.m. CT)