Hey t2, here's some info on tightening option spreads as we were discussing a few weeks ago. From thestreet.com:
Attention, options customers! There's a blue-light special, particularly in heavily traded, multiple-listed options such as Microsoft (MSFT:Nasdaq).
The nation's four options exchanges are continuing to slash prices and wooing customers with tight spreads on popular options, and if you're a customer, each exchange wants you -- yes, you! -- to send your order flow its way. The exchanges are hoping that competitive pricing will attract more volume and new franchises in the trading of certain listings.
"Price improvement on options is indicative of what's happening in multiple listings," said Mike Schwartz, options dean with CIBC Oppenheimer. "Customers can shop an order and have the floors compete against each other. They've been very aggressive, but it's a fluid situation. Will these prices continue? Wait six months, see which options firms are still in business and whether there will even be four exchanges left. Maybe there will only be two," he said, referring to the top-ranked Chicago Board Options Exchange and the American Stock Exchange.
For instance, Schwartz said, the Pacific Exchange was "aggressively outbidding other exchanges on the last Friday expiration" for Microsoft options, even paying slightly above parity.
For customers, the question is, "Are these great prices window-dressing? Are my market makers doing my orders and taking a loss? It's too early to tell," Schwartz added.
Another 10,000-contract Microsoft trade crossed late Wednesday, but this time on the Amex. The No. 2 exchange also snagged two 3,000-contract orders Thursday in the Microsoft 2001 January 45 and 47 1/2 puts, at prices of 9/16 and 11/16, respectively. |
