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Stock Option Trading: What Investors Should Know

Options Trading


Stock option trading is a system of stock trading which can offer investors wide-reaching potential for profit. By utilizing options, investors have the opportunity to take advantage of leveraged trading with limited capital.


When an investor buys a stock option, they purchase the right to buy or sell a particular asset at a predetermined price before a predetermined date. The options trader is not actually obliged to buy or sell the underlying asset, but instead chooses to either exercise the option or let it expire worthless.


This type of trading gives investors considerable flexibility, as they can often choose between different expirations and strikes, as well as utilize strategies such asbear and bull spreading, defined-risk trades, and arbitrage. All of these strategies can offer investors increased probability of success, while reducing risk.


In order to properly understand stock options, it is important to be aware of key concepts and terminology used in the options market. Some commonly used words include call option, put option, strike price, and expiration date.


Call options allow the purchaser to buy the underlying asset at the given strike price before the expiration date. Conversely, put options enable the seller to buy the asset at a given price before expiration.


The strike price is the fixed price at which the option can be exercised. It is determined at the time the option is bought or sold. The expiration date, meanwhile, is the date upon which the option expires. It is important to note that the price at which an option can be exercised is typically different from the market price of the underlying asset.


Stock option trading can offer investors a great way to reduce risk and increase profits. However, it is important to remember that options trading carries a certain amount of risk. Therefore, investors should understand the basics of options trading before they take the plunge.



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