Can one futures market act as a barometer for the housing industry, the construction sector, and the Atlantic hurricane season? “Wood” you believe that Lumber can?

Traded at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME), Lumber futures provide a risk-management vehicle for producers like mills and wholesalers, as well as end users like home builders and retail dealers. Given the recent slump in the U.S. housing sector, many hedgers and traders see the Lumber futures market as a gauge of the overall health of this corner of the economy. Meanwhile, speculators often favor Lumber futures as a diversification tool, as well as a means of taking advantage of the seasonal trends of the market, including increased demand during the volatile storm season.

Lumber futures are yet another example of the exciting range of futures products now available to optionsXpress customers. Check out all the futures products now available for trading. There are more to come in the weeks ahead!

Mike Zarembski
Senior Commodity Analyst
optionsXpress

Futures involve substantial risk and are not appropriate for all investors. Please read Risk Disclosure Statement for Futures and Options prior to applying for an account.

"Spread" is a loosely used term that can describe any multi-part strategy. Check out the webinar Options 201 September 13th or September 18th and learn more about Bull Call, Bear Call, and Diagonal Spreads. You'll get a comprehensive overview of spreads and discover how they may be able to serve as an alternative to trading single leg options alone.

Understanding and Trading Options Spread Strategies

September 13, 3:00 PM ET

September 13, 9:00 PM ET

September 18, 3:00 PM ET

September 18, 9:00 PM ET

Mike Tosaw
Director of Education, optionsXpress

We’ve all been there.

We’ve all stood drooling in the aisle of the local electronic store, pining over the latest whiz-bang gadget. We’ve all spent hours reading featured articles in our favorite tech magazine. We’ve all saved our pennies for months. Just to get that one, coveted item.

And we’ve all been there for what often happens next. You get the prized possession home, carefully set it in its spot on the mantel or in the entertainment system.

And then had absolutely no idea how to use it.

What good is technology if it’s not working for you? It’s useless.

That’s why optionsXpress offers Xpress Guides on our Web site—user manuals—if you will, on how to use each feature on the optionsXpress site. Xpress Guides walk you step-by-step through how to use each of our tools, so you're never caught lost in a maze of technology. To access our Xpress Guides, log in and select the Xpress Guide link under the Educate tab.

We also offer immediate Live Help. Simply click on the live help icon at the top of every page to be connected to a real live, experienced person in seconds. You also can call or email us at any time with your questions.

Technology should make things easier, not more complex. Log in to access our Xpress Guides or customer service help and start experiencing technology the way it was intended.

Nina Milovac
Curriculum Director, optionsXpress

Average wait time to reach a customer service representative in August 2007 was 13 seconds based on internal system data.

Join the CME group, the newly combined entity of the CME and CBOT, at the 2007 optionsXpo as they present several futures-focused breakouts.

Advanced Trading Tactics for Precious Metals Futures Markets
Learn advanced technical trading strategies to trade the electronic precious metals futures markets with 30-year trading veteran and author, John Person.

Effective Market Entry and Exit Strategies in the Grain Futures Markets
Join industry professional Jim Wyckoff as he explains market entry and exit strategies for the grain futures (many of which can also be used effectively in other markets) by using key technical signals and by employing selected market and stop orders.

Futures and Options Strategy Applications Using Japanese Candlesticks
Dan Gramza, President of Gramza Capital Management and instructor of CME Group professional traders, will present his proprietary approach to Japanese Candle trading techniques. Learn the logic and rationale behind his trading strategies as he explains the process to create critical trading parameters.

High Speed Indicators for High Speed Trading of Futures Markets
Fari Hamzei, founder of Hamzei Analytics, will explain how Hamzei Analytics' Proprietary Indicators may be applied to trading the futures markets, CME's Equity Index Futures (ES, NQ & ER2). Watch as Hamzei uses live charts to demonstrate the application of various indicators.

To view more breakouts and to sign up for optionsXpo 2007, visit www.optionsxpo.com. Be sure to check back often as new breakouts are added weekly!

Nancy Robles
Marketing Manager
optionsXpress

The last piece of economic data traders will see before today’s Fed meeting is expected to show that inflation is starting to be tamed, at least on the wholesale level. This morning, the Labor Department will release the producer prices report for August, with analysts estimating a drop of 0.3% on the headline number, with the so called “core” rate – which excludes food and energy prices – expected to climb by a modest 0.1%. A subdued reading on inflation should make the Fed’s decision to lower rates a bit easier, as it can better justify a rate cut if there are signs that inflation is starting to ease due to slower economic growth.

Two-year Note futures prices have slid the past several sessions, as the market has lowered its expectations for a 50 basis point rate cut in today’s FOMC meeting. The cash Two-year Note was yielding 4.06% in morning trade in London. Even if the Fed only cuts rates by 25 basis points today, the market is still anticipating further rate cuts, with a 45% chance that the Fed Funds rate could fall as low as 4.5% by year’s end. The Fed Funds rate currently stands at 5.25%.

Looking at the daily chart for the December Two-year Note, we notice the price slide after yields fell to their lowest levels in nearly two years. Despite the recent correction, prices continue to hover just above the 20-day moving average, and momentum has moved to a more neutral stance – the 14-day RSI currently reads 49.72, after being as high as 74.67 just a week ago. Support is seen at the 20-day moving average around 103-0800, with resistance at the recent highs of 103-252. In early trade, the December Two-year Note is trading at 103-097, down 0-012.

Mike Zarembski
Senior Commodity Analyst
optionsxpress

Learn from industry veterans at this year’s optionsXpo. We’ve got a full line up of educational breakouts including:

Live Trading with Dan Sheridan: Creating a Portfolio for Monthly Income:
Skill Level: Intermediate Dan Sheridan

Dan Sheridan, 23-year CBOE pit veteran and founder of Sheridan Mentoring, will attempt to show you how to build a portfolio of income trades from scratch. Learn how to make a plan, pick the vehicles, and get the trades executed in the market place. He will also discuss valuable tips on getting your orders executed at the best possible price.

The Markets Never Sleep: Strategies for Trading Around the Globe:
Skill Level: Beginner Tom Busby Founder, DTI

Tom Busby has been knee deep in the futures, stock and options markets since the late 70’s. Listen as Busby explains how trading during specific times of the day as well as major market indicators can help you determine whether to be long, short or out of the market.

Managing the Trade: Critical Steps to Define Your Risk & Reward in Options Trading:
Skill Level: Intermediate Price Headley, Founder, Big Trends - sponsored by CBOE

Learn how to better define reward relative to risk, and how making the proper options choice may greatly impact your ability to follow your trading method more consistently over time.

See all the breakouts and sign up for 2007 optionsXpo at www.optionsxpo.com. Register today for $300 off the ticket price. Enter code DT9EH4

Nancy Robles
Marketing Manager
optionsXpress

Ever wonder who presented that webinar you attended last week?

Meet the optionsXpress dream team at the 2007 optionsXpo. Pick their brains in the Exhibit Hall and listen as they present a range of breakout sessions including:

Fundamental Terms: What does PE stand for, stock buybacks, earnings 101, dividends 101, etc. Skill Level: Beginner Joe Cusick, Senior Vice President of Education
Investors constantly hear phrases like PE, stock buybacks, earnings and dividends. Learn the definitions of these terms and why they matter to you and your portfolio.

Futures 101 Skill Level: Advanced Mike Zarembski, Senior Commodity Analyst
Learn about the basics of the futures markets and trading futures. This seminar will cover topics such as placing a futures trade, determining margin requirements, and calculating profit and loss.

Meet the Greeks Skill Level: Intermediate Nina Milovac, Curriculum Director
When traders talk about "the Greeks," they are referring to the different ways risk can be measured as it relates to a particular option or position. If you always wondered how different Greek letters (e.g., delta, gamma, vega) help enable traders to manage risk, then this is a must see.

See all the breakouts led by the optionsXpress team and sign up for optionsXpo 2007 at www.optionsXpo.com!

Nancy Robles
Marketing Manager
optionsXpress

Time is running out to sign up for the optionsXpress investing education event of the year – optionsXpo 2007! We’ve added even more dynamic speakers and exciting breakout sessions, and organized them by beginner, intermediate, and advanced experience levels in a new easy-to-read, color-coded schedule.

So take a look and start organizing your personal agenda for a great weekend in Chicago October 25-27th! Sign up now and save $300 off your registration fee!

Nancy Robles
Marketing Manager
optionsXpress

7 Habits to Help You Trade - With Case Studies Skill Level: Intermediate Tom Gentile

Register for optionsXpo 2007 and you’ll have the chance to listen as Tom Gentile, founder of Optionetics, discusses 7 Habits that may help you place smarter trades. Gentile also will showcase studies of how these strategies may be applied to real investing using stocks and trading systems.

Sign up today for optionsXpo 2007 and pick and choose from more than 60 different breakouts!

Nancy Robles
Marketing Manager
optionsXpress

Now is it!

Book your hotel for optionsXpo 2007 and receive 50% off! Only 4 days left for discounted rates! Special hotel pricing ends October 1st!

Learn from over 35 financial pros, pick and choose from more than 60 different breakout sessions, meet the optionsXpress education team and much, much more!

What are you waiting for? Register today!

Nancy Robles
Marketing Manager
optionsXpress