Ask The Expert
Can I check my positions without leaving the Order Entry page?
Can I trade quarterly and weekly options in OptionsFirst?
Tips of the Trade
Complete advanced research from your mobile phone with m.scottrade.com. Once you have pulled a quote for any symbol, the mobile Quotes page is automatically adjusted to provide you with additional research for that symbol. Using the Show Me drop-down box on the Quotes page, you can view detailed information specific to your symbol including news and commentary, charts, options, fundamentals, insiders, earnings and financials.
While you're researching a symbol, you can easily navigate between research pages with the Show Me drop-down box. The functionality of the Show Me box will be reset once you leave the research pages or enter a new symbol in the quote box.
Customize your chain in OptionsFirst by selecting the Tools icon in the upper right of the Options Chain. Choose your background color, which columns to display and how to arrange your data for both calls and puts, which can be customized independently of each other. Also select whether to view or hide weekly and quarterly options.
If you have questions about customizing your Options Chain, call OptionsFirst at 1-877-223-3344 or e-mail optionsfirst@scottrade.com.
Track Cost Basis with Tax Lots
It may be too early to start thinking about taxes, but it's never too early to track your positions more efficiently. With Scottrade's new tax lot identifiers, recording and tracking cost basis for tax purposes is clear and simple.
The changes are minimal, and the impact is profound. Here's what you'll see in your account:
-
Tax Lot Numbers - In the Completed Orders section of your Order Status page, you'll see the addition of a Tax Lot # column and a tax lot identifier for all transactions initiated on or after Aug. 30. The tax lot number is a simple way to group related transactions to help you track their cost basis. For example, if you buy shares of a stock that later goes through a stock split, the change to your cost basis will be recorded under the same tax lot number. To learn more about tax lot numbers vs. order numbers, read Checking Order Status in the Knowledge Center.
-
Easy-Access Confirms - View your trade confirmations straight from the Completed Orders page. Simply look to the right of any completed order and click the View link in the new Confirms column.
-
Average Prices - If an order executes in partial fills in the same trading day, the prices will be averaged into a single tax lot. You pay a single $7 commission for a single order, so we're rolling up partial fills into a single purchase or sale price.
These few simple changes in your account will make a big difference when tax time comes around. For orders placed after Aug. 30, the tax lot number will help you track changes to your cost basis, and the average prices will simplify your calculations.
Learn more about Cost Basis & Tax Lots in the Knowledge Center.
If you have any questions about the changes you see in your account, please contact your local branch office.
Scottrade does not provide tax advice. The material provided is for informational purposes only. Please consult your tax, or legal, advisor for questions concerning your personal tax or financial situation.
Subscribe to In The Know RSS| Introduction to Technical Analysis | 2/22/11 |
| Option Basics | 2/22/11 |
| Discover Scottrade | 2/22/11 |
With more than 500 branch offices nationwide, Scottrade offers live events in neighborhoods all over the country. Visit your local Scottrade office for a cozy small-group Branch Seminar, or get together with Scottrade customers from your area at our popular User Summits.
Browse All Live Events >Stream live, interactive presentations right to your computer! Check back every week for new Live Webinars on a variety of topics including:
- Market analysis
- Basic & advanced orders
- Research tools
Education meets interaction in the Scottrade Community. Join Scottrade customers from all over the country as you exchange information, ideas and trading strategies in a comfortable online learning environment.
Interact with Scottrade customers and product specialists. Share your thoughts and learn from others. Grow as an investor. Join our community today!
Learn More About the Community >Brokerage Products and Services offered by Scottrade, Inc. - Member FINRA and SIPC
Online market and limit stock trades are just $7 for stocks priced $1 and above.
Any specific securities, or types of securities, used as examples are for demonstration purposes only. No information on this Web site should be considered a recommendation or None of the information provided should be considered a recommendation or solicitation to invest in, or liquidate, a particular security or type of security.
Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses of a mutual fund carefully before investing. A mutual fund's prospectus contains this and other information about the mutual fund. Prospectuses are available through our trading site or through a Scottrade branch office. The prospectus should be read carefully before investing. No transaction fee (NTF) funds are subject to the terms and conditions of the NTF funds program. Scottrade is compensated by the funds participating in the NTF program through recordkeeping, shareholder, or SEC 12b-1 fees.
Investors should consider the investment objectives, charges, expense, and unique risk profile of an Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) carefully before investing. Leveraged and Inverse ETFs may not be suitable for long-term investors and may increase exposure to volatility through the use of leverage, short sales of securities, derivatives and other complex investment strategies. A prospectus contains this and other information about the ETF and should be obtained from the issuer. The prospectus should be read carefully before investing.
Margin trading involves interest charges and risks, including the potential to lose more than deposited, or the need to deposit additional collateral in a falling market. Margin Disclosure Statement (PDF) is available for download, or it is available at one of our branch offices. It contains information on our lending policies, interest charges, and the risks associated with margin accounts.
Options involve risk and are not suitable for all investors. Detailed information on our policies and the risks associated with options can be found in the Scottrade Options Application and Agreement, Brokerage Account Agreement, and by downloading the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options and Supplements (PDF) from The Options Clearing Corporation, or by requesting a copy from your local branch office. Supporting documentation for any claims will be supplied upon request.
Market volatility, volume, and system availability may impact account access and trade execution.
Testimonials may not be representative of the experience of other clients and are no guarantee of future performance or success.