XSP Now Available for Trading

We're thrilled to announce that we've expanded our trading platform to include XSP, offering you even more trading opportunities and the first cash-settled index option product. At Option Alpha, we're always looking for ways to improve your trading experience and including XSP has been a hotly requested item by our traders for a long time. So, we are pleased to make XSP the latest addition to our growing list of tradable symbols.

‍Looking to trade SPX? Sign our petition to CBOE to get SPX minimum bid increments lowered from $0.05 to $0.01 so we can add it for you!

What is XSP?

XSP, also known as the Mini S&P 500 Index Options, is a product from the CBOE and was launched to bring unique advantages of the larger SPX product to retail traders. Two of the most important benefits of trading XSP include:

1. Favorable Tax Treatment: XSP options are known for their tax advantages. They are classified as Section 1256 contracts by the IRS. This means that traders can benefit from a more favorable tax treatment, including the potential for lower tax rates on gains and the ability to carry losses back or forward for tax purposes. Such tax advantages can significantly enhance the overall returns on your investments.
2. Cash Settlement: XSP options are cash-settled, which means there's no need to worry about physical delivery of the underlying assets at expiration. When your XSP options expire in the money, you receive a cash settlement rather than having to deal with the logistics of assignment risk. This simplifies the trading process and reduces lots of complexities for new traders.

It's important to note that trading index options like XSP may come with additional commissions on a per contract basis. Make sure check with your broker directly so you understand any additional costs associated with trading XSP because these additional costs are outside of the traditional 'commission-free' promotion offered by our broker partners. Commissions are crucial to make informed trading decisions and manage your trading costs effectively.

In conclusion, the addition of XSP to our trading platform opens up a world of possibilities for traders looking to diversify their portfolios and capitalize on the favorable tax treatment and cash-settlement features of XSP options. We're committed to continuously pushing the frontier of trading, and XSP is just another step forward on this mission together.