Back to Library

The Index Trading Course

by George A. Fontanills and Tom Gentile (2006)

Quick summary -- an in-depth PhD-level extended summary (10-30 pages) for this book is coming soon.

The Index Trading Course

Book Details

  • Author: George A. Fontanills and Tom Gentile
  • Categories: Options, Index Trading, Trading Systems

Quick Summary

Fontanills and Gentile deliver a comprehensive course on trading index options and index-based derivatives, covering sector and broad market indexes as vehicles for specific options strategies, designed for both new and experienced traders seeking fresh trading ideas.

Detailed Summary

"The Index Trading Course" by George A. Fontanills and Tom Gentile, published by John Wiley & Sons in 2006, is a thorough educational resource focused on trading stock market indexes through options and other derivative instruments. The book, with a foreword by Frederic Ruffy, is designed as a structured course that takes readers from foundational concepts through advanced index trading strategies.

The authors bring substantial expertise: Fontanills is described by industry peers as having an exceptional pedigree in the financial marketplace, combining gifted trading ability with a passion for teaching, while Gentile contributes extensive experience in options strategy development. Together they teach thousands of individuals annually through their trading education programs.

The book covers the unique characteristics of index markets, which represent the second-largest volume of transactions after foreign exchange markets. These characteristics present specific opportunities that the authors exploit through systematic trading approaches. The course material includes analysis of both sector-specific indexes and broad market indexes, with strategies tailored to the behavioral properties of each.

Options strategies form the core methodology, with the authors presenting both basic and advanced approaches to index options trading. The text covers directional strategies, spread trades, volatility-based approaches, and hedging techniques specifically adapted for index products. The authors emphasize that indexes present characteristics that allow for trading systems not easily replicated in individual stocks, particularly due to the diversification effect and different volatility profiles of index products.

The companion workbook provides additional exercises and practice problems to reinforce the course material, making the complete package a self-contained educational program for developing index trading proficiency.