Options Industry Council (OIC)

Options Industry Council (OIC): What it is and how it works

Key takeaways
* The Options Industry Council (OIC) is an educational nonprofit formed by U.S. options exchanges and the Options Clearing Corporation (OCC) to promote understanding of exchange‑traded equity options.
* Founded in 1992, the OIC provides free, vetted educational resources for investors, financial advisors, and institutional participants.
* Offerings include online classes, webcasts, in‑person seminars, podcasts, calculators, trading tools, and a help desk.

What the OIC is
The Options Industry Council (OIC) is a cooperative established to increase investor and advisor awareness of exchange‑traded equity options. Sponsored by major U.S. options exchanges and supported by the Options Clearing Corporation, the OIC produces unbiased educational content designed to demystify options and help users make informed decisions.

Brief primer on exchange‑traded options
Exchange‑traded options are standardized derivative contracts that trade on an exchange and settle through a clearinghouse. Key points:
* Options grant the right (but not the obligation) to buy or sell a specified amount of an underlying asset at a predetermined strike price on or before a set expiration date.
* A call option gives the buyer the right to buy; a put option gives the buyer the right to sell.
* Standardization and clearinghouse settlement reduce counterparty risk compared with over‑the‑counter derivatives.

What the OIC offers
The OIC provides a range of educational formats and tools tailored to different audiences:
* Live and recorded online classes and webcasts
* In‑person seminars and workshops
* Podcasts and downloadable multimedia (e.g., brochures, guides)
* Strategy materials covering basics through advanced concepts
* Trading tools, calculators, and market quote resources
* Website resources and a help desk for questions

All materials are reviewed through compliance channels and presented by experienced instructors.

Who the OIC serves
The OIC organizes its resources around three primary audiences:
* Institutional Investor Center — registration required; focuses on derivatives, market trends, and institutional issues.
* Financial Advisor Center — registration required; provides materials advisors can use to evaluate and explain options strategies for clients.
* Investor Services — open resources for individual investors covering fundamentals and product information.

Sponsors
The OIC is sponsored by multiple U.S. options exchanges and market operators, reflecting broad industry support.

Why use the OIC
* Free, industry‑vetted education about options mechanics, risks, and strategies.
* Resources suitable for beginners and advanced traders, as well as financial professionals.
* Practical tools and support to help evaluate when and how to use options within an investment plan.

How to access
Educational content and tools are available on the OIC’s website, along with a help desk for further assistance. Registration is required for some sections aimed at professionals and institutional users.