Platform Features Release: New Option Chain Functionality/Appearance, Responsive P/L Graph
Features Release Notes:
New Option Chain Functionality/Appearance, Responsive P/L Graph
Announcing the latest features/functions updates, additions or edits to the trading platform:
Option Chain Functionality/Display has been revamped to allow users to control which information to view and increase responsiveness. Symbols, such as SPY and SPX, will load noticeably faster. An incorporated Dashboard provides a snapshot of current activity allowing users to make more informed decisions.
Responsive P/L Graph adjusts when the slide bar between Bid and Mid price is adjusted. This is especially helpful when the spread is considerable.
Option Chain Display/Functionality
Select Expiration Cycles
The redesigned Option Chain allows users control of what Expirations to view instead of the platform defaulting to a cycle approximately 30 days out.
Click on the Options Tab from Research.
A window with available Expirations will appear along with a Dashboard with pertinent information (Volume, IV, OI, Earnings Date, etc) for more informed decision-making.
As a bonus, this structure allows data to load faster – especially helpful for those symbols with large option chains.
Responsive P/L Graph
The P/L graph on the Options Tab is responsive to adjustments made to the trade set up for the entry Net Debit/Net Credit.
Note, the smaller the spread between the Bid/Ask, the smaller the graph adjustment will be.
The example illustrates a large spread to better illustrate this feature update.
Change Log
- Price representation on chart X/Y axis corrected
- Journal Notes enhancement
- Saved screeners adjustment
- Active Watchlist access corrected
- Close from Backtest saves Symbol
- Clarified wording on Warning Message
- Mobile version of Saved and System Screener
- Mobile app – rolling trade adjustments
- P/L ‘Go Big’ data correction
- Account Summary page enhancement
- Large number displays on HeatMap
Intraday Trade Finder Scan Updates (Premium Desktop Feature)
Trade Finder Scans are updated every 30 minutes during Market Hours on the Premium Platform. That’s 12 more times than the Standard Platform version, which updates once after the Market opens.
Trade Finder Scans are easily identified with a Rocket Icon in the upper left corner of the Scan box.
Strategy Template
A Strategy Template provides a shortcut to quickly create an option strategy, virtually eliminating structure errors. Once selected, you can modify the structure within the template using the tools on above the option tables: Moving Strikes up/down, rolling Time out/in, widening or narrowing Strikes.
Some strategies can be changed from all Calls to all Puts (and vice-versa).
Note: The templates will not allow you to exceed certain parameters, as attempting to do so would result in an invalid strategy. This is a built-in safety net and you would receive a notice similar to:
Storyboard of the Strategy
We also display a storyboard-like view of the selected strategy. It is a combination of chart, risk graph, and performance channel constructed within one panel.
This storyboard gives you the full picture of the position: The Structure, Performance Channels and Calculations.
Performance Channels
Performance Channels can assist in visual analysis across both the P/L Graph and the Chart.
- Dark Green – Stock movement affects gain
- Light Green – At maximum gain
- Dark Red – Stock movement affects loss
- Light Red – At maximum loss
The width of the channel on the chart represents the timeframe of the trade. If options expire in 30 days, the channel will display back 30 days on the chart. This give a visual reference for the time frame of the trade.
Note: Channels are displayed based on expiration of the trade. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Performance channel date orientation is for reference only.
Strategy Snapshot
It’s the “Cliffnotes” version of your strategy
Each strategy template provides a quick reference for the construction and application of the strategy. The snapshot shows:
- what the strategy outlook is on the color-coded range from ‘Very Bearish’, ‘Mildly Bearish’, ‘Neutral’, ‘Mildly Bullish’ or ‘Very Bullish’.
- what effect ‘time decay’ and ‘volatility’ has on the strategy: ‘Increase’, ‘Neutral’ or ‘Decrease’.
- debit or credit trade
- risk & reward level
- strategy structure
- an overview summary of the strategy
Delta & Theta Display on Template
You can expand the template to show Delta and Theta for the individual legs as well as the totals for the trade by clicking the 
icon on the upper right part of this screen.
This can help for faster evaluation and better positioning of the trade.
Elements of the Template
The Trade Finder Templates are designed to allow you to ‘visually trade’.
When evaluating a position, a Bull Put for example, the template automatically sets up the trade. You can use the rolling icons to adjust the position: Roll the position up/down, roll out the time frame, adjust the strikes, etc. You can even adjust the Net Credit(Debit) of the trade in an attempt to get a more favorable entry cost/credit.
The Performance Channels show the profit/loss of the position.
The P/L summary at the bottom left of the screen shows the Risk/Reward ratio, Net/Total Credit (Debit),the break-even stock price point, the max reward/max risk with corresponding stock price.
A snapshot on the right side of the screen, provides a visual structure of the strategy, what market 
conditions are favorable to the trade, whether volatility and/or time positively, negatively or is neutralized by the strategy.
Greeks and Volatility are also shown.
Once satisfied with the position set-up, click ‘Trade’ and the order will auto-fill in the “Order Ticket” of your brokerage account.
Important! While adjustments may to the template may be made, the system limits what can be changed in order to stay within the constraints of the strategy. This safety measure ensures you stay in the type of trade you intend to be in.
Historic & Implied Volatility
This chart displays Historic (HV) and Implied (IV) Volatility with the ability to overlay Call/Put IV
Historic Volatility (green line) is based on how the stock actually moved.
Implied Volatility (blue line) is based on how the options are priced.
When expanded, the stock chart, 12-Month Mean (Average) IV and one-year IV High/Low (red line) are also shown. This is very helpful in understanding if option premiums are comparable to historic values.
High HV indicates recent strong movement.
High IV indicates higher premium and, in many cases, anticipated movement.
Note: You can remove the Stock Chart, HV, IV or Call/Put IV simply by clicking on the corresponding indicator above the chart/graph.
Trading from Options Page & Strategy Templates
Structure and analyze any options position. When ready, click “Trade” to create and submit an Order Ticket.
Comparing trades with Snap? 
Simply choose the structure you want then select “Trade” to send it to the Order Ticket.
Trading multi-leg positions is easier than ever!
