NEW YORK, March 2, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Investools Inc., the investor education division of thinkorswim Group Inc. (Nasdaq:SWIM), a leading provider of trading technology and online brokerage services, is rewarding early tax filers who are committed to making better and more informed investing decisions.
Since tax-filing season officially ends on April 15 at midnight, there is always an incredible amount of attention given to those filing that day. But until now, nobody has acknowledged the "early birds" who finish and file their taxes many weeks before the deadline.
"With over 400,000 graduates of our investor education programs, we have learned that the most successful students are those who are proactive and committed to improving their investing knowledge. Investors who take control of their financial future to learn about the stock market will be in a better position to manage their own investments," states Lee Barba, Chairman and CEO of thinkorswim Group Inc. "We are committed to teaching investing skills that provide lifelong benefits, to helping investors learn how to manage risk and make educated financial decisions for both the short term and the long term."
For more than 25 years, Investools has been focused on investor education. The company offers live and online workshops for investors and provides them with the analytical tools and information they need to navigate any market, regardless of its direction. To do that successfully, individuals need to start with an investment in education, so they can better understand market dynamics and how to diversify their investment choices.
Investools is rewarding early tax filers with a guaranteed "refund" by giving the first 415 people who present filing documentation free access to the Investools Investing Foundation Course. Consumers will learn about fundamental and technical analysis, and will then be able to leverage the Investools Method(r) to make informed decisions that will help protect their capital.
The Investools Investing Foundation Course (a $299 value) arms investors with the tools they need to understand fundamental investing principles, the stock selection process, and active investment management techniques. The course uses the Investools 7-Step Investing Formula, a step-by-step approach that helps investors find and analyze suitable stocks, and determine entry and exit timing and prices based on facts, not emotions.
The introductory course also includes a six-month subscription to the Investor Toolbox(r) -- a valuable resource that brings together up-to-the-minute data, a multitude of searches, and proprietary charts, all in one place -- and a live, two-day Investing Foundation Workshop, which empowers investors to rely on their own knowledge when making investment decisions.
The first 415 early filers to send in a copy of their tax receipt (i.e., an online receipt or a return mail receipt from the IRS) that shows the date they filed their 2008 taxes will receive complimentary entry to the Investools Investing Foundation Course. Copies of receipts must be received via email (taxes@investools.com) or fax (801.816.6010) by April 14, 2009.
"The biggest obstacle investors face, particularly in this marketplace, is a lack of knowledge," states Barba. "This course gives them access to the fundamental information and skills needed to invest successfully-whether in a 401(k) or IRA-in today's market, using stocks, options, futures or currencies."
Lee Barba, CEO, thinkorswim, is available for interview.
About thinkorswim Group Inc. (Nasdaq:SWIM)
thinkorswim Group Inc. (www.thinkorswim.com) offers market-leading online brokerage, investor education and related financial products and services for self-directed investors and active traders. thinkorswim, Inc., our award-winning online brokerage division, provides a suite of trading platforms serving self-directed and institutional traders and money managers. thinkorswim platforms have easy-to-use interfaces, sophisticated analytical and research tools, and fast and efficient order execution for even the most complex trading strategies. thinkorswim customers trade a broad range of products, including stocks and stock options, index options, futures and futures options, forex, mutual funds and fixed income. Investools Education Group offers a full range of investor education products and services that provide lifelong learning in a variety of interactive delivery formats. Investools graduates are able to apply what they've learned by trading with thinkorswim's online brokerage platforms.
The Investools Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=5657
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The risk of loss in trading securities, options, futures and forex can be substantial. Customers must consider all relevant risk factors, including their own personal financial situation, before trading. Options involve risk and are not suitable for all investors. See the Options Disclosure Document: Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options. A copy can be requested from Scott Garland, Compliance Officer, at 773.435.3270 or at 600 W. Chicago Ave., #100, Chicago, IL 60654-2597 or by email at sgarland@thinkorswim.com. Trading foreign exchange on margin carries a high level of risk as well as its own unique risk factors. Please read the following risk disclosure before considering the trading of this product: Forex Risk Disclosure. thinkorswim is compensated through a portion of the forex dealing spread.