OptionsXpress and the Motley Fool just put out an interesting piece of news – they are teaming up to launch The Motley Fool Options service. Interestingly enough, I went searching for it and found the following message:
Due to the overwhelming response, we are no longer enrolling new members in Motley Fool Options. If you’d like, we will notify you the instant we open the service again.
I’m scratching my head a bit as to how exactly fits in the mix here – are they simply a marketing partner? Will they pitch the newsletter to their customers in exchange for the Fool recommending optionsXpress as a broker? I sent an email to OXPS’ investor relations to clarify their role – I’ll provide an update if and when they get back to me.
The Motley Fool Options Service will face some stiff competition, namely from TheStreet.com’s (TSCM) Options Alerts newsletter, which has put up some spectacular returns over the past few years. Minyanville also runs an excellent options newsletter called OptionSmith. Incidentally, it is managed by Steve Smith, who launched TSCM’s Options Alerts.
Small world, huh?
However, it still makes sense for the Fool to get into options because it plugs a hole in their lineup of research services. The investment newsletter business is incredibly lucrative, and options traders tend to be sophisticated are willing to pay up for their goodies.
disclosure: I am an optionsXpress (OXPS) shareholder, and a contributor to Minyanville.
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hi,
did you ever find out what their partnership entails?
thanks! -kelly
Nope – never heard back. Perhaps I’ll place a call into the Fool to get some info.