OptionsHouse Outscores Competition in Trade Experience in Online Investing | 2009-03-16

Independent investors may discover a better brokerage fit thanks to the latest issue of Barron's, featuring the weekly newspaper's 14th annual review of online brokers. Tied for top honors among 25 brokers in the "Trade Experience" category was OptionsHouse, which scored a 4.7 out of a possible 5.0. "Fast matters," the motto of OptionsHouse.com, "...goes for everything from finding possible trades to populating an order ticket to executing the trade itself," the article notes.¹

Barron's also speaks well of the professional-grade tools offered at OptionsHouse, mentioning especially the platform's risk viewer and MAXITTM tax-management software², a free benefit for customers. Last month, OptionsHouse added a new collection of tools to its arsenal, including streaming charts and news, volatility charts, and profit/loss and probability calculators.

"I'm extremely pleased by all of our efforts during the past year and honored by the strong review we received from Barron's," said OptionsHouse Chief Executive Officer, George Ruhana. "We have strived to improve our platform, our website, and our personal attention to customers...this has paid off as we have demonstrated ourselves to be, in Barron's estimation, a better alternative to much larger competitors." In the overall rankings, OptionsHouse outscored much older and larger firms, including E*Trade Securities, TD Ameritrade, and Charles Schwab.

The brokerage, a subsidiary of Chicago-based market maker PEAK6 Investments, L.P., earned four stars overall in the survey, with notably high ranks for costs (ranking third for frequent traders), usability (tied for second), and portfolio analysis & report (tied for second).

"Our customers are truly in a sweet spot..." said John B. Jaeger, head of product management and development for OptionsHouse. "...they can enjoy speedy execution, a great library of tools, and among the lowest commissions in the business.³ With investors becoming more self-directed, we are striving to make the trading process as straightforward and intuitive as possible."

About OptionsHouse:

OptionsHouse, LLC, is an online stock and option broker delivering a fast, streamlined trading experience on its professional-grade trading platform, accessible at OptionsHouse.com. A licensed FINRA broker-dealer, OptionsHouse, LLC was founded in 2005 and is a subsidiary of proprietary option-trading firm, PEAK6 Investments, L.P.

¹Barron's, March 14, 2009, 14th annual survey, "Blue Chips: Rating Online Brokers", by Theresa W. Carey. © 2009 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. Overall ratings (on a five-star scale) based on Usability, Trade Experience, Trading Technology, Range of Offerings, Research Amenities, Portfolio Analysis & Reports, Customer Service & Access, Costs.

²OptionsHouse, LLC, its parent organization, PEAK6 Investments, L.P., and its affiliates, (collectively "OptionsHouse") are not affiliated with Scivantage MAXITTM ("MAXIT"). OptionsHouse provides neither investment nor tax advice. OptionsHouse does not guarantee the accuracy of information provided by MAXIT (including but not limited to reports, calculations, recommendations and notifications).

³No escalating per-contract fees for stocks or equity options. OptionsHouse reserves the right to pass-through any regulatory fees and any third-party fees related to index and ETF options. For stocks priced $2.00 or less, add $0.01 per share for the entire order. See www.optionshouse.com/rates for more details on trade commissions for mutual funds and other securities. Customers may trade up to 50,000 shares or 4,000 option contracts per trade; trades in excess of these parameters require multiple order tickets and will be billed as separate orders.

Options involve risk and are not suitable for all investors. In addition, electronic trading poses unique risk to investors. System response and access times may vary due to market conditions, system performance and other factors. Please read Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options | Risk Statements and Disclosures, copies of which can also be obtained by contacting our Customer Service Department at customerservice@optionshouse.com. © 2009 OptionsHouse, LLC All rights reserved. Member FINRA, SIPC.