Google Finance and OMI (Outdated)

Google Finance, as of its 2018 redesign, no longer supports direct OMI (Options Montage Interface) functionality. Previously, users could access a real-time, consolidated view of options market data, including bid/ask prices and volume at different strike prices, for a specific underlying asset. This OMI view was valuable for options traders needing a quick snapshot of the options chain’s activity.

The discontinuation of the OMI is a point of frustration for many users accustomed to the older version of Google Finance. The current platform provides options data, but it’s presented in a less intuitive, less comprehensive manner. Users now typically need to navigate through individual option contracts to gather the same information that was once readily available on the OMI.

Current Alternatives

While Google Finance’s OMI is no longer an option, several alternative platforms offer comprehensive options trading tools. These include:

• Brokerage Platforms: Most online brokers like Charles Schwab, Fidelity, and TD Ameritrade provide robust options chains and analysis tools. These often require an account to access the full range of features.
• Financial Data Providers: Companies like Bloomberg and Refinitiv offer sophisticated, though often costly, platforms with extensive options market data and analytics.
• Third-Party Websites: Numerous websites and apps specialize in options analysis, providing similar, or in some cases enhanced, versions of the OMI. Examples include optionsprofitcalculator.com and similar resources.

Understanding Options Data

Regardless of the platform used, understanding options data is crucial. Key elements include:

• Strike Price: The price at which the option can be exercised.
• Expiration Date: The date on which the option expires and can no longer be exercised.
• Bid Price: The highest price a buyer is willing to pay for the option.
• Ask Price: The lowest price a seller is willing to accept for the option.
• Volume: The number of contracts traded for a specific option on a given day.
• Open Interest: The total number of outstanding option contracts that are not yet closed or expired.

While Google Finance no longer offers a dedicated OMI, the core principles of options analysis remain the same. Traders can find similar data on other platforms, but require careful evaluation and comparison to make informed trading decisions. Remember to thoroughly research any platform and understand its data sources before relying on it for critical trading decisions.