OptionsHawk positions itself as a comprehensive resource for active equity and options traders, offering market analysis, unusual options activity monitoring, and a live trading environment. Within its offerings, the platform provides a "Daily Freebies" section designed to give non-members a preview of notable options trades. This article details the structure of OptionsHawk, the specific nature of the Daily Freebies, the platform's features, and the eligibility requirements for accessing trial memberships, based exclusively on the provided source materials.
Overview of OptionsHawk
OptionsHawk is described as a "one stop shop for active equity and option traders." The platform focuses heavily on monitoring unusual options activity to identify trades made by "smart money." While the primary focus is on options, the service also provides technical analysis, complex option strategies, and original market insight.
The service distinguishes itself by providing actionable trading ideas daily. A core component of the platform is the live chat environment, which operates during market hours (8:45 am to 4 pm). This "Trading Hub" allows members to trade side-by-side with the analyst, receiving live coverage of the markets, trading opportunities, and setups.
According to the source material, OptionsHawk is not intended for rookie traders. The service spends less time teaching and more time analyzing and trading, although questions are always answered. The platform is best utilized by traders who can use the information to supplement their existing trading plans or serve as an idea generation platform.
The Daily Freebies Program
The "Daily Freebies" section of OptionsHawk serves as a gateway for non-members to view a curated selection of options activity. This section is explicitly dedicated to users who are not current members but want to "get a taste for the options activity we deem notable."
Content and Limitations
The Daily Freebies provide summaries of specific, notable options trades occurring in the market. The information typically includes: * Ticker Symbol: The stock or asset involved. * Trade Details: Specific contracts bought or sold (e.g., "400 June $105 calls"). * Pricing: The premium paid or received. * Context: Brief commentary on why the trade is considered notable (e.g., unusual volume, upcoming earnings, consolidation patterns).
Examples of Daily Freebies Content: * Kaiser Aluminum (KALU): Noted a "big move this week on results sees unusual buy 400 June $105 calls for $7.45." * GXO Logistics (GXO): Highlighted "unusual 1925 November $55 calls buying $2.10 to $2.40 as IV jumps." * Digital Ocean (DOCN): Identified as a top IV gainer with buyers in November and December calls. * Neuronetic (STIM): Mentioned popping with unusual call buying following a Q2 beat.
It is important to note the distinction between the free content and the paid membership. The Daily Freebies provide the "what" (the trade details), but the "in-depth analysis" regarding why the trade is occurring and how to trade it is reserved for members only.
Membership Features and Tools
For those who move beyond the Daily Freebies, OptionsHawk offers a suite of advanced tools and analysis features designed to support a full trading workflow.
The Trading Hub and Live Chat
The core of the paid service is the Live Trading Hub. This includes: * Live Market Coverage: Fast and accurate alerts on unusual and notable option trades. * Technical Alerts: Real-time charts and technical analysis. * Fundamental Analysis: Integration of fundamental data. * News and Rumors: Live breaking news and analyst coverage.
Research and Analysis Deliverables
Members receive structured daily and weekly reports: * Market Recap: Emailed at 3:45 pm daily, summarizing notable options activity by sector, reviewing the trading day, and updating the mock portfolio. * Weekly Earnings Snapshots: A Sunday email report containing earnings previews, analysis, and option trading strategies for key reports. * OptionsHawk Research: Special reports issued throughout the year based on additional research.
Data and Scanning Tools
The platform utilizes a "Hawk Database" which catalogs all notable options positioning across the market. A typical day adds 300 rows of data including contract details, price, volume, open interest, Delta, and Premium. This database is filterable by expiration, fundamental metrics, technical metrics, and options/volatility stats.
Future developments mentioned for the platform include: * Hawk Scanner: An automated options flow scanner designed to be more accurate than current market offerings, incorporating twenty years of experience to curate what matters. * Hawk Charts: Custom stock charts with key indicators and options database integration to highlight resistance/support based on delta exposure. * Alternative Data: Plans to incorporate new data resources for company and industry trends.
Trial Availability and Eligibility Rules
OptionsHawk offers trial memberships to allow new users to test the service. However, strict eligibility rules apply to these trials.
Pricing and Duration
The source material lists two pricing tiers for the trial service: * $399 for 30 days * $199 for 30 days
Eligibility Restrictions
Trials are highly restricted regarding timing and user history: 1. Annual Availability: Trials are only available in the month of April each year. 2. New Users Only: Trials are available only to those who have not previously been members or taken a trial. 3. Enforcement: If a user attempts to sign up for a trial having formerly been on a trial or membership, they will be charged the full monthly price rather than the trial rate.
For questions regarding the service or trial eligibility, users are directed to contact [email protected].
Trading Philosophy and Strategy
The trading strategies highlighted on OptionsHawk generally favor simplicity but allow for complexity when necessary. * Basic Strategies: Primarily long calls and long puts. * Complex Spreads: Occasionally utilize calendar spreads, diagonal spreads, and credit spreads.
The service emphasizes that options activity has historically been a strong predictor of future equity movement. The goal is to provide the "color" (context) regarding not only what is trading in the options market, but why it is trading, enabling traders to act on the information.
Conclusion
OptionsHawk provides a tiered approach to options flow data. The "Daily Freebies" offer a limited, non-member view of notable trades, serving as a teaser for the platform's capabilities. The full paid service offers a comprehensive suite of tools including live chat, a proprietary database, custom scanners, and detailed daily and weekly reports. Access to the trial membership is strictly limited to the month of April and is available only to first-time users, with a significant price difference between trial and standard rates.