> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://features.portfolioinsider.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://features.portfolioinsider.com/master.md). # Insanely-Fast Options Flow ## Claim Your Option Flow Superpower πŸ¦Έβ€β™‚οΈ Becoming an options superhero is easy when you have Portfolio Insider as your sidekick! \ \ Now, here's how you can use Options Flow on our software: ``` Select "Realtime Options Flow" on the top left tab Confirm that you are not a securities professional Start harnessing the power of the insanely-fast options flow ``` ![Nanosecond Options Tracker](/files/-MWzw-paSWOqTimDGwVO) {% hint style="info" %} The speed of data on Portfolio Insider's Options Flow is on par with million-dollar hedge funds and big banks on Wall Street. It's unlike anything you've seen before. How is it possible? We are one of Nasdaq's exclusive partners, which our server is plugged into their lightning-fast data. In fact, Nasdaq is the first exchange presently offering data in nanoseconds. (BATS, CME, Direct Edge, ICE, NYSE, and NYSE Arca exchanges are still working to catch up.) {% endhint %} ## Option Flow Terms * **Sweep & split orders** {% hint style="info" %} Sweep orders are one of the best signals for momentum and urgency from big traders on Wall Street.\ \ Smart money often uses sweep orders to break their order into smaller pieces and spread out to multiple exchanges. Why? They want to stay under the radar without alerting anybody of their trades. \ \ This is a superb indicator that a trader wants to get into a position as fast as possible because they might know something that may affect the underlying stock’s share price the very next day or in the near future. (Split orders work the same way but are filled on single exchange systems.) {% endhint %} * **Block orders** {% hint style="info" %} Option block orders often signal massive purchases by institutional investors and traders with deep pockets. These block orders are negotiated privately -- away from the public market. So, this means you probably won't see individual retail investors making these huge block orders. {% endhint %} ![](/files/-MWzzX4Swqjje1TuF9f-) ### Important Tips To Remember {% hint style="info" %} Don't always assume big option orders coming through the flow are the trades that you should also take. Remember, no one but the trader knows the true intention behind these orders. These trades could be actually bullish, or traders could be simply hedging against their overall exposure to the market. πŸ‘‡ {% endhint %} ![Option Size](/files/-MX---awUUtabg6WiXUD) {% hint style="info" %} **Look for the option sentiment:** If the market has an extreme bullish sentiment, be cautious with aggressive call-buying. If the market is bearish to the extreme, steer clear of aggressive put-buying. πŸ‘‡ {% endhint %} ![Flow Sentiment ](/files/-MX-0M0fCrO7Z1xta0Fg) {% hint style="info" %} Smart, "big whale" traders often use options when retail hands are weak. In other words, fast options money likes to come into weakness. Sometimes when retail investors are spooked and start selling, the smart money is buying hand over fist. So, look at the historical flow and see if there were any key purchases made in the past. **βœ… Expert Tip 1:** Use our total view depth of book order flow to compliment options flow for a clear picture of resistance lines. {% endhint %} {% hint style="info" %} Options money flow during earnings season is less valuable. Stocks are often speculative during this time, so any logic we try to derive from money flow will be unclear. **βœ… Expert Tip 2:** Finding stocks with high probabilities of beating their quarterly earnings estimates (and potentially seeing their share prices soar) is a difficult task. However, we believe we have cracked the code with our new Portfolio Earnings ESP algorithm: πŸ‘‡ {% endhint %} ![Portfolio Earnings ESP algorithm](/files/-MX-26e_Ydj2YzBp66aa) {% hint style="info" %} Always watch for new tickers that are catching options flow. A surge of activity from smart money in a stock is a good signal of what's coming. So, check the historical data and keep an eye on it. βœ… **Example:** Portfolio recommended **MP Materials Corporation (MP)** to members on Nov. 2020. Notice the bullish sentiment on this fairly new ticker with all long flow calls? πŸ‘‡ {% endhint %} ![](/files/-MX-2jvS-p7a8om91kMa) ## Unleash Your Options Superpower On The World (But Use It For Good) πŸ¦Έβ€β™‚οΈ {% hint style="info" %} You can transform your portfolio if you leverage the critical information from options flow. Unfortunately, finding a technology platform that has our insanely-fast speed and depth of flow is almost impossible. That’s why Portfolio Insider's ultimate mission is to democratize access to hedge fund level data for everyone. Imagine having the same type of granular insight as Carl Icahn, Ray Dalio, and Jim Simons? With our intuitive technology platform, you can easily understand what types of options flow is happening, become sophisticated with market sentiments, access earnings algorithms, and view total order flow for the market -- all in one place. {% endhint %} ``` Hit us up on twitter or write to us if you need help! ``` ``` support@portfolioinsider.com ``` ![](/files/-MX-4gR03XKEtSDyRYUW) --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://features.portfolioinsider.com/master.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.