If you’ve been around the world of investing then you probably have heard the term Options. But what are stock options? In general, options are financial contracts that provide you with the flexibility to buy or sell a stock at a predetermined price within a specific time frame.
Let us explain how stock options work.
Options are versatile financial contracts that provide you with the flexibility to buy or sell a stock, an index, commodity or another financial instrument at a fixed price within a specified time frame. Think of them as powerful tools that enable you to place bets on the future price movement of the underlying asset. In this article, we primarily discuss Stock Options, however, the same principles will apply to other option types.
Breaking Down Call Options
Now you have probably heard of call options too, but what are they? Well, the call option contracts grant you the right to buy a specific stock at a fixed price also known as the strike price. The best way to think about this is like making a reservation to buy a stock at a fixed price in the future. Keep in mind this is not an obligation but an option, and that is where it gets the name.
Exercising Call Options
If you didn’t know, Call Options come with an expiration date just like milk. It’s a vital component of options trading. As the holder, you must exercise your right to buy the stock before this expiration date arrives. Once the option reaches its expiration, it ceases to have value and you lose the opportunity to buy at that strike price.
It’s important to note that options trading isn't without risk! While call options can offer significant profit potential they also expose you to the possibility of losing your initial investment if the market moves in a different direction. So remember to approach options trading with a smart strategy and a clear understanding of the risks involved.
Put Options Breakdown
Put options work a little differently. Just like call options, put options are financial contracts as well. However there is a catch, they provide you with a different right. This means that you have the right to sell a specific stock at a set price within a defined time frame. Essentially, this means that if you hold a put option you can sell the stock at the strike price, even if the market price falls below that level. Put options can act as a form of insurance protecting your investment from a significant decline in overall value.
Are you In The Money?
Let’s take a dive into what happens when your options (Calls or Puts) are In The Money.
For Call Options, being "In the Money" implies that the market price of the stock is higher than the option's strike price. What this means is that you can buy the stock at a lower price than its current market value. Think of it like finding a discount.
As for Put Options, being "In the Money" occurs when the stock’s market price is lower than the strike price. When this happens, you have the opportunity to sell the stock for more than its current market value. The best way to think of it is like buying concert tickets at retail and selling them on the secondary market, you’re making a profit.
How about At The Money?
Moving forward, let's navigate the territory known as "At the Money" (ATM). Consider this the sweet spot in the world of options trading.
"At the Money" occurs when the market price of the stock closely aligns with the option's strike price. During this phase, the option doesn't possess significant intrinsic value, but there's still time value at play. This time value is influenced by factors such as the time remaining until expiration and market fluctuations. These elements can introduce an element of excitement and unpredictability into your options trading experience.
What is Out Of The Money?
Now let's take a look into the "Out of the Money" (OTM) for both call and put options. When your options find themselves in this territory, you're dealing with a different set of circumstances.
For Call Options, being "Out of the Money" signifies that the stock's market price is lower than the strike price. Unfortunately, this situation offers no benefits to you the investor. You could acquire the asset at a more favorable price elsewhere in the open market. In this case, holding a call option would not make sense.
As for Put Options, "Out of the Money" occurs when the market price is higher than the strike price. Exercising the put option would result in selling the asset at a loss, which is generally not a favorable move for investors. Holding a put option in this situation may not be the best for your financial goals.
The Options Roundup
Options trading is a multifaceted landscape, offering various strategies and opportunities for investors. Whether you're looking to benefit from price appreciation (through call options) or protect your investments from potential losses (through put options), options can become valuable tools in your financial arsenal when used wisely and prudently. Just make sure you have a strategy.
About nealthy
nealthy is a user-friendly on-chain asset management platform that enables access to On-chain Index Tokens (OITs) tracking the index of a portfolio of assets. The platform allows traders and investors to seamlessly onramp, swap, and effectively manage their portfolio on-chain. By combining the best of TradFi and Crypto worlds, nealthy moves the frontiers of the current digital asset market and brings greater flexibility and protection of user funds.
Website | X | Discord | Telegram chat | Telegram channel | LinkedIn | Instagram | Youtube