The virtual trading platform is an online and smartphone-compatible tool that enables individual investors to execute options trading strategies, enhancing their knowledge of both options and market dynamics. A tutorial for first-time users is available.

"We are extremely proud to launch this options trading simulator for the Canadian market," said Alain Miquelon, President and CEO, Montréal Exchange. "We want to encourage investors of all levels, including students, to learn more about the derivatives market and to look to MX as the centre of excellence of these highly specialized products."

The simulator complements the MX's existing educational tools, including Options Education Days information sessions, training tutorials on m-x.tv and blog posts on optionmatters.ca.

The online tool will also be used for the MX Options Trading Simulation program - one of MX's educational initiatives that was announced in February 2012. This program allows student teams from seven universities in Quebec to create and trade a virtual portfolio of $100,000. Students are provided with an educational presentation prior to the contest, which runs for nine trading weeks beginning on October 1, 2012. The winning team will have accumulated the best return while respecting the mandatory components and will receive a $10,000 prize from the MX.