Option Trade Facts For Investors

By Jarrod Hatheway


Investors nowadays have several ways to increase their money. Each method, however, requires some sort of knowledge beforehand in order to ensure the desired outcome. The same is true for option trade, which is one possibility which may interest an investor. This trading method can be profitable, but the person investing money must first know the basics so that informed decisions can be made.

Trading in options is quite risky, just as is the case with all other investments hence you need to understand what it takes. Therefore, it is best to invest only risk capital in this trade. Options can be speculative or conservative. An option is a contract that gives a buyer the right to trade an asset at a certain price and at a certain date without any obligations.

What has to be clear is that despite the fact that option comes with no obligation, they expire and are limited to a specified period of time. Options derive their value from something else. They come in two types namely calls and puts. Call options present the holder the right to buy the asset in question at the specified price at the specified date. The buyer always hopes that the value or price of the stock will increase before the expiry of the period. Put options on the other hand are the options that present holder with right to sell specified asset at a specified price and over specified period of time. Their hope is always that the stock value or price will reduce before the offer expires.

Those who buy options are called holders while those who sell options are known as writers. There is no obligation to buy or sell options for call or put holders. Call writers and put writers are however obligated to buy or sell options. There is a least price at which option stock can be traded before profit is exercised and this is what is referred to as strike price.

A trader is said to be 'in the money' when the share price and strike price is different. The difference can be in either direction, for example, the share price is less or more than the strike price. This value of the difference is also referred to as the intrinsic value.

Premium is the total cost of an option. This premium is determined using the price of stock, price of strike as well the time left before the expiry of the option and also volatility. There are two main reasons why you may want to consider options for investment. These are because options are good for speculative and also for hedging.

The size of a trader's profits or losses are often determined by speculation. A trader should have the ability to make accurate decisions when determining if the asset is likely to rise or fall. This prediction is what will cause the trader to have a profitable investment. Hedging can also be a profitable method of trading, as it helps to safeguard your investment.

You will find American options and European options as the main types and the difference has nothing to do with location. There are also long term options which involve more than a year and exotic options which are non standard or have variations on payoff. Yes, you will get the best from option trade when you are enlightened as above.




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