Connect with us

Press Release

Use Volatility In Your Favor With Robinhood Options Trading In April, Volatility Index VIX Hit Highest Mark

Published

on

–News Direct–

By Meg Flippin, Benzinga

Thanks to their large upside potential, many seasoned traders choose to trade options to play the markets. Fintechs like Robinhood have made accessing the market easier for seasoned traders to fine-tune their strategies, building based on their trading level.

With inflation remaining stubborn, the markets appearing to be waiting for the Federal Reserves next move on interest rates and the U.S. about to enter what is expected to be a polarizing presidential election, volatility has been high. In April, the VIX Index which Wall Street uses to gauge volatility in the market hit its highest level since late October 2023, when the Israel-Hamas conflict began. Year-to-date, the VIX Index is up more than 12%.

Options Abound With Options Trading

While volatility may scare buy-and-hold investors, for active options traders, some look at it as an opportunity. After all, with options trading, investors can engage in a variety of diverse strategies that have the potential to work in all sorts of market conditions, whether it's speculating stocks will go up or down based on their bearish and bullish outlooks. Options are also cheaper than buying shares outright, creating leverage, which means the gains on your investment could be amplified as can losses. However, options expire, and you can lose your entire investment in a short period of time. Some strategies present a potential for substantial or even unlimited losses.

Then there are the hedging capabilities that come with options, which can help mitigate the dangers of high-risk, high-reward instruments. If an investor is worried a stock is going to fall they can purchase puts that enable them to sell the stock at a strike price, regardless of where the stock falls prior to expiration of the option. The same cant be said of stocks. If shares tank, you dont have any downward protection other than to sell and limit your losses. However, if the stock goes up or doesnt move prior to expiration, the option will expire worthless and the loss is equal to the premium paid.

Leveling The Playing Field For Options Investors

Accessing options trading is getting even easier thanks to Robinhoods trading platform. Not only do customers get access to options but also advanced charts, including the ability to track and modify technical indicators such as moving average, relative strength index and moving average convergence divergence. Furthermore, there are no contract fees.*

Other powerful features of Robinhoods platform include the ability to save and monitor options contracts to see hypothetical returns and options rolling in which you can seamlessly adjust and extend your positions. And lets not forget 24-hour support. If you have a question on your option strategy even in the wee hours of the morning, Robinhood has you covered.

Even retirement accounts and cash account holders can trade options with Robinhood. The same cant be said of some of Robinhoods rivals.

Robinhoods efforts to improve access are not surprising. For some time now, the company has been on a mission to level the playing field when it comes to investing by providing access to an array of investment and retirement products, keeping costs down and commissions at zero (other fees apply). Take Robinhood Gold for one example. Gold subscribers get 5% APY on uninvested cash in their brokerage account, a 1% boost on brokerage transfers and instant deposits.

None of this is lost on options traders, which is why that part of Robinhoods business is growing, and options traders are taking note. Robinhood is making moves to grow its market share even more. We want to be number one in the active trader market. So active traders are very important for us, Robinhood CEO Vladimir Tenev said in a recent interview. They care about very specific things like performance, pricing, user experience. And we're making lots of investments there both in the user experience and in new product innovations that other competitors don't offer, 24-hour market being a great example there.

Options trading is growing in popularity as regular retail investors learn its virtues. Robinhood wants to be a leader in the space and is pulling out all the stops to achieve that.

If you are interested in trading options and want to do so at a low cost with all the support you need, then check out Robinhoods offering here.

Featured photo by Nicholas Cappello on Unsplash.

Benzinga is a leading financial media and data provider, known for delivering accurate, timely, and actionable financial information to empower investors and traders.

This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice.

Disclaimer:

*There are no contract fees charged directly by Robinhood. However Robinhood does pass through certain fees charged by securities regulators and exchanges.

Commission-free trading of stocks, ETFs and options refers to $0 commissions for Robinhood Financial self-directed individual cash or margin brokerage accounts that trade U.S. listed securities and certain OTC securities electronically. Keep in mind, other fees such, Gold subscription fees, wire transfer fees, and paper statement fees may apply to your brokerage account. Please see Robinhood Financial's Fee Schedule to learn more.

Options trading entails significant risk and is not appropriate for all customers. Customers must read and understand the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options before engaging in any options trading strategies. Options transactions are often complex and may involve the potential of losing the entire investment in a relatively short period of time. Certain complex options strategies carry additional risk, including the potential for losses that may exceed the original investment amount.

Robinhood Financial does not guarantee favorable investment outcomes. The past performance of a security or financial product does not guarantee future results or returns. Customers should consider their investment objectives and risks carefully before investing in options. Because of the importance of tax considerations to all options transactions, the customer considering options should consult their tax advisor as to how taxes affect the outcome of each options strategy. Supporting documentation for any claims, if applicable, will be furnished upon request.

Rolling options does not ensure a profit or guarantee against a loss. An investor may also end up compounding their losses. By rolling out, the duration is extended, which can also increase risks as there's more time for the underlying security's price to move unfavorably.

One of the key downsides of options vs stocks is that options contracts expire over time. For puts, If the stock price is at or above the strike price, the option expires worthless, and you can lose the money you paid for the options contract.

Risk of VIX options:

The prices of VIX options can fluctuate significantly and thus increase the risk for investors.

The VIX is a synthetic value that is calculated on the basis of option prices. Investors who invest in VIX options should therefore be aware of the special features of this asset class.

In some market situations, the VIX and thus also the prices of VIX options may not move in the expected direction. This means that in some cases VIX options may not help to reduce the risk of a portfolio, but rather increase it.

VIX options generally have a term of only a few months and are therefore more suitable for short-term trading.

Contact Details

Benzinga

+1 877-440-9464

info@benzinga.com

Company Website

http://www.benzinga.com

View source version on newsdirect.com: https://newsdirect.com/news/use-volatility-in-your-favor-with-robinhood-options-trading-in-april-volatility-index-vix-hit-highest-mark-337548674

Benzinga

comtex tracking

COMTEX_453285838/2655/2024-06-03T09:43:17

About Author

Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Digi Observer journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.

Continue Reading

Press Release

Sharjah Islamic Bank Reports Net Profit of AED 381 Million, Up 19.4% in Q1 2026

Published

on

Sharjah, UAE, 14th April 2026, Sharjah Islamic Bank (SIB) delivered an exceptional financial and operational performance across all business segments during the first quarter of 2026. Net profit after tax reached AED 380.7 million, representing an increase of 19.4% compared to AED 318.9 million for the same period in 2025.

Sharjah Islamic Bank

Income from investments in Islamic financing and Sukuk grew by AED 131.8 million, or 14.4%, to reach approximately AED 1.05 billion by the end of the first quarter of 2026, compared to AED 914.3 million during the same period in 2025. Meanwhile, total profit distributions to depositors and Sukuk holders amounted to approximately AED 581.7 million, compared to AED 546.9 million in the prior-year period.

Sharjah Islamic Bank continues to diversify its income streams, as reflected in the growth of net fee and commission income and other operating income, which increased by 9.3% to reach AED 179.7 million by the end of the first quarter of 2026, compared to AED 164.4 million for the same period in 2025. This growth contributed to an increase in the Bank’s total operating income to approximately AED 644.1 million, up by AED 112.4 million, or 21.1%, compared to AED 531.7 million during the same period last year.

These results underscore the strength of SIB’s financial foundations and its prudent risk management approach, ensuring consistent profitability and the creation of sustainable long-term value within a challenging operating environment.

Total assets remained stable at AED 90.9 billion by the end of the first quarter of 2026, reflecting a modest increase of AED 553.9 million, or 1%, compared to AED 90.3 billion at the end of the previous year. This growth was primarily driven by an increase in total investment in Islamic financing, which reached AED 46.8 billion, compared to AED 45.6 billion at the end of 2025, representing growth of 2.6%.

About Author

Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Digi Observer journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.

Continue Reading

Press Release

Post financial year-end hiring: Why Q2 staffing planning sets the tone for annual performance

Published

on

As businesses move out of financial year-end reporting and into a new operational cycle, recruitment in Q2 has become a strategic priority for finance,

Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa, 14th Apr 2026 – As businesses move out of financial year-end reporting and into a new operational cycle, recruitment in Q2 has become a strategic priority for finance, insurance and contact centre environments. Staffing decisions made in April and May can have a direct impact on performance for the remainder of the year.

Q1 is often characterised by pressure, with sales targets peaking, policy renewals increasing volumes and operational teams working to maintain service levels. By the time Q2 begins, many organisations are operating in recovery mode while also preparing for new campaigns, growth targets and internal restructuring.

This creates a critical window for staffing planning.

Why Q2 is a defining recruitment period

Unlike January, which focuses on restarting operations, Q2 is where businesses begin executing annual strategy. Hiring decisions made during this period are often more deliberate, more closely aligned to targets and more directly linked to performance outcomes.

For contact centre and insurance environments, this typically means stabilising teams after high-pressure periods, replacing Q1 attrition, scaling up for mid-year campaigns and sales drives, and strengthening operational roles to support growth.

Without structured planning, these competing demands can place significant strain on internal teams.

The risk of reactive hiring

When recruitment is driven by immediate pressure rather than forward planning, quality can be compromised. Roles may be filled quickly, but not always correctly, resulting in higher attrition, inconsistent performance and increased pressure on already stretched teams.

In regulated environments, the risks are greater. Poor hiring decisions can affect compliance, customer experience and overall operational stability. Reactive hiring also limits visibility, leaving businesses to respond to gaps rather than prevent them.

Moving toward structured staffing planning

More organisations are recognising the need for a structured approach to recruitment in Q2. This means aligning hiring plans with business objectives rather than treating recruitment as a standalone function.

Key components of this approach include forecasting demand based on campaign cycles and operational needs, identifying critical roles that affect performance, building talent pipelines ahead of peak hiring periods, and implementing scalable recruitment processes that adapt to demand.

This shift helps businesses move from reactive hiring to proactive recruitment management.

The role of flexible staffing models

In industries where demand fluctuates, maintaining a fully permanent staff base is not always efficient. Project-based and campaign-specific staffing models provide a practical way to scale during peak periods without long-term overhead commitments.

These models offer agility in response to changing business conditions. However, flexibility should not come at the cost of quality, and candidates must still meet the same standards of performance, compliance and reliability.

Why recruitment partners matter

Internal HR teams play a critical role, but they are often not equipped for high-volume, time-sensitive recruitment. Balancing day-to-day responsibilities with large-scale hiring demands can increase pressure and create delays.

A specialist recruitment partner can provide dedicated sourcing capacity, access to pre-qualified talent pools, structured screening and vetting processes, and the ability to scale quickly without compromising quality.

How Isilumko Staffing supports Q2 recruitment planning

Isilumko Staffing works with finance and insurance businesses to deliver recruitment solutions aligned to operational and strategic needs. With experience in high-volume, regulated environments, the company provides access to pre-screened, role-ready candidates, flexible staffing solutions aligned to campaign and business cycles, structured recruitment processes that prioritise quality and compliance, and scalable support for short-term and long-term hiring needs.

Underpinned by values of ownership, integrity and exceptional performance, Isilumko Staffing aims to ensure recruitment supports business continuity rather than disrupting it.

Recruitment as a performance driver

In 2026, recruitment is no longer only about filling roles. It is about enabling performance, managing risk and supporting business growth.

Q2 offers organisations an opportunity to reset their approach and implement staffing strategies that can support performance for the rest of the year. Businesses that plan effectively are better positioned to manage demand efficiently and sustain more consistent results.

Media Contact

Organization: Isilumko Staffing

Contact Person: Virgilene Moodley

Website: https://isilumko.co.za/

Email: Send Email

Contact Number: +27113166640

Address:Unit C5, Mount Royal, 657 James Crescent, Halfway House, Midrand, 1685

Address 2: Unit G, La Rocca, 321 Main Road, Bryanston, Johannesburg, 2195

City: Johannesburg

State: Gauteng

Country:South Africa

Release id:44005

The post Post financial year-end hiring: Why Q2 staffing planning sets the tone for annual performance appeared first on King Newswire. This content is provided by a third-party source.. King Newswire makes no warranties or representations in connection with it. King Newswire is a press release distribution agency and does not endorse or verify the claims made in this release. If you have any complaints or copyright concerns related to this article, please contact the company listed in the ‘Media Contact’ section

file

About Author

Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Digi Observer journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.

Continue Reading

Press Release

FTZcoin Advances Its Global Strategy to the Next Level

Published

on

United States, 14th Apr 2026 – FTZcoin, a leading global digital asset trading platform, today officially announced the launch of its 2026 Global Strategic Upgrade Initiative.This upgrade encompasses the strengthening of its compliance framework, the expansion of its global market footprint, and the iteration of its underlying trading architecture.As a benchmark enterprise holding a U.S. Money Services Business (MSB) license, this move marks FTZcoin’s transition from a regional trading service provider to a fully integrated global digital financial ecosystem.

Strategic Core: Multi-Jurisdiction Compliance and Licensing Matrix

Amid increasingly stringent global regulatory environments, FTZcoin has positioned compliance as the primary pillar of its strategic upgrade. While reinforcing its leadership in the U.S. market and maintaining high-standard operations under its U.S. Money Services Business (MSB) license, FTZcoin has also initiated the application process for regulatory licenses across key markets in Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Southeast Asia.

“Compliance is not a constraint on growth—it is the entry ticket to global competition,” said FTZcoin’s Head of Global Strategy. “By building a multi-jurisdictional compliance framework, we aim to provide users across different regulatory environments with a secure and legally protected trading experience, ultimately eliminating concerns over platform stability and trust.”

Global Expansion: Establishing Three Major Operational Hubs

To better serve its rapidly growing international user base, FTZcoin plans to complete functional upgrades of three key regional hubs—New York, London, and Singapore—by the end of 2026:

North America Hub
Focused on regulatory innovation and institutional-grade investor services.

Europe Hub
Strengthening integration with the European fintech ecosystem.

Asia-Pacific Hub
Dedicated to expanding the retail user market and enhancing localized customer support.

Technological Evolution: Millisecond Matching and Bank-Grade Security

In parallel with its global strategy, FTZcoin has completed a comprehensive upgrade of its core trading engine. The new “Lightning” matching system supports millions of concurrent transactions per second, significantly reducing latency and enhancing overall trading efficiency.

At the same time, the platform has implemented the latest bank-grade encryption protocols (TLS 1.3) along with multi-signature cold storage solutions—ensuring that, even amid global expansion, every user’s assets remain protected by the highest level of security standards.

Vision: Building Inclusive Global Digital Financial Infrastructure

This strategic upgrade represents not only a transformation of FTZcoin’s brand image, but also a pivotal step toward building an inclusive financial ecosystem.

Looking ahead, FTZcoin will continue to invest in user education and security awareness, leveraging transparent operations and advanced technological capabilities to address market concerns and earn the trust of millions of users worldwide.

With the implementation of its global strategy, FTZcoin is steadily advancing from its foundation as a U.S.-compliant platform toward becoming a core infrastructure of the global digital economy.

Media Contact

Organization: FTZCOIN

Contact Person: Vivian

Website: https://pc.ftzcoin.com/home

Email: Send Email

Country:United States

Release id:44002

Disclaimer: This press release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, legal, or regulatory advice. Digital assets involve risk, and platform features, security measures, and regulatory status may change over time. References to licenses, technologies, or safeguards are descriptive in nature and should not be interpreted as guarantees of performance or protection.

The post FTZcoin Advances Its Global Strategy to the Next Level appeared first on King Newswire. This content is provided by a third-party source.. King Newswire makes no warranties or representations in connection with it. King Newswire is a press release distribution agency and does not endorse or verify the claims made in this release. If you have any complaints or copyright concerns related to this article, please contact the company listed in the ‘Media Contact’ section

file

About Author

Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Digi Observer journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.

Continue Reading

LATEST POST