The financial markets are filled with easy-to-understand as well as complex financial instruments. For example, the concept of stocks and bonds is relatively easy to grasp and they can be just as easy to trade. Of course, there are a myriad of ways to trade in stocks, including in derivatives known as options. Option contracts for stocks are somewhat complex, however, and understanding how to get started in stock options trading is a must before you dive into this potentially lucrative, as well as potentially risky, investment strategy.
In the financial world, stock options are known as derivatives because they derive their existence from the actual stocks that serve as their foundation and reason for existence. In a stock option contract, you're not actually buying or selling the underlying stocks found within the contract, at least initially. Rather, what you're purchasing with a stock option contract is a future right but not an obligation to buy or sell the stocks, usually bundled in 100-share packets, contained within the contract. The stock options trading world is filled with countless options contracts, most of which aren't even exercised, to tell the truth.
There's no doubt stock option contracts are complex, though they're still very popular as an investment tool because they can be employed to facilitate many different strategies from an investment point of view. In truth, very conservative investment programs as well as those of a far riskier tone can be undertaken solely using stock options trading, though one should always remember that such trading isn't for the weak-kneed. After all, a stock option contract may bring with it the possibility of great reward but it also comes with an equal helping of great risk, most especially when you're a new trader and don't understand the strategy works. In other words, understand stock option contracts like the back of your hand before you begin trading them.
Neophyte investors eager to begin stock options trading should pause for a moment and ensure they're well-trained in the strategy and how option contracts operate before investing, if only to avoid the prospect of stress as well as potential financial ruin. Before sinking any money into a brokerage account, and all brokerages allow their more-experienced clients to trade such options, take an opportunity to closely study stock option basics and how these fascinating derivatives really work. For one, learn just what stock option contract "calls" and "puts" are, because they're very important. Basically, a stock option contract "call" gives you a right but not an obligation to buy the shares contained within that contract at a later date while a "put" gives you a right but not an obligation to sell those shares, also at a later date.
When it comes to stock options trading, contract fees or "premiums" per underlying share in the option contract are another key concept. A stock option contract premium is the price per share that you'll pay to obtain the option to buy or sell those shares in the future, and it's also your total cost to obtain that contract unless and until you exercise your option rights. When it comes to a stock option contract's premiums or fees, their costs vary by the contract. For instance, there might be a $1 per share premium attached to each underlying share within the 100-share block within the contract, or a $100 total premium at $1x100 shares to gain the right to purchase or sell the stock before the contract's expiration date, or expiry.
In stock options trading, there's always something called a "strike price" to be found, such a price being what the contract's buyer will have to pay on a per-share ratio to obtain those stocks. You might buy a 100-share stock option contract for a $1 per share fee or premium for $100, for example, and then pay a $10 per share strike price if you actually do exercise your option rights. Exercise of your stock option contract's rights before the contract expires obligates you to pay the contract's writer -- who's typically another investor -- $1,000 or a $10 per share purchase price time 100 shares, total. If the stock on which you just exercised the option to buy is priced on the market at $13, but you only paid $10 to obtain it, your profit will be relatively handsome. If the stock you're considering buying, should you exercise your option rights under your stock option contract, is only worth $9 on the markets all you need to do is let the contract die at expiration date, thus not exercising your option rights.
Once you've gained an easy familiarity with just how stock option contracts work, always take a bit more time to learn from those experienced at trading them. There are many different websites on the Internet that make a ton of promises when it comes to stock options trading education, especially when it comes to using them as an investment strategy. However, if you really want to ensure your success in trading stock options you need to closely examine any website making promises related to turning you into a super-trader or the like before handing over any money in hopes of becoming that sort of trader. You also need to beware any stock options website promoting some sort of "autopilot" automated stock option contract trading software. While it's true that there's a lot of money to be made in trading stocks and their options you can see just as much money fly away by trusting only to an automated trading software package.
Stock options trading can be exciting, of that there's little doubt, and you can check out the strategy by visiting the NASDAQ -- once known as the "National Association of Securities Dealers, Automated Quotation" -- website to see what it's all about. If you're already up to speed on the basics of stocks and how they're bought and sold and you're ready to jump into their derivatives by trading stock options, check out a few professional trading-type websites beforehand. Keep in mind that stock options and their contracts are complex, so spending some time in close proximity to professional traders, learning from them, is highly advised.
In the financial world, stock options are known as derivatives because they derive their existence from the actual stocks that serve as their foundation and reason for existence. In a stock option contract, you're not actually buying or selling the underlying stocks found within the contract, at least initially. Rather, what you're purchasing with a stock option contract is a future right but not an obligation to buy or sell the stocks, usually bundled in 100-share packets, contained within the contract. The stock options trading world is filled with countless options contracts, most of which aren't even exercised, to tell the truth.
There's no doubt stock option contracts are complex, though they're still very popular as an investment tool because they can be employed to facilitate many different strategies from an investment point of view. In truth, very conservative investment programs as well as those of a far riskier tone can be undertaken solely using stock options trading, though one should always remember that such trading isn't for the weak-kneed. After all, a stock option contract may bring with it the possibility of great reward but it also comes with an equal helping of great risk, most especially when you're a new trader and don't understand the strategy works. In other words, understand stock option contracts like the back of your hand before you begin trading them.
Neophyte investors eager to begin stock options trading should pause for a moment and ensure they're well-trained in the strategy and how option contracts operate before investing, if only to avoid the prospect of stress as well as potential financial ruin. Before sinking any money into a brokerage account, and all brokerages allow their more-experienced clients to trade such options, take an opportunity to closely study stock option basics and how these fascinating derivatives really work. For one, learn just what stock option contract "calls" and "puts" are, because they're very important. Basically, a stock option contract "call" gives you a right but not an obligation to buy the shares contained within that contract at a later date while a "put" gives you a right but not an obligation to sell those shares, also at a later date.
When it comes to stock options trading, contract fees or "premiums" per underlying share in the option contract are another key concept. A stock option contract premium is the price per share that you'll pay to obtain the option to buy or sell those shares in the future, and it's also your total cost to obtain that contract unless and until you exercise your option rights. When it comes to a stock option contract's premiums or fees, their costs vary by the contract. For instance, there might be a $1 per share premium attached to each underlying share within the 100-share block within the contract, or a $100 total premium at $1x100 shares to gain the right to purchase or sell the stock before the contract's expiration date, or expiry.
In stock options trading, there's always something called a "strike price" to be found, such a price being what the contract's buyer will have to pay on a per-share ratio to obtain those stocks. You might buy a 100-share stock option contract for a $1 per share fee or premium for $100, for example, and then pay a $10 per share strike price if you actually do exercise your option rights. Exercise of your stock option contract's rights before the contract expires obligates you to pay the contract's writer -- who's typically another investor -- $1,000 or a $10 per share purchase price time 100 shares, total. If the stock on which you just exercised the option to buy is priced on the market at $13, but you only paid $10 to obtain it, your profit will be relatively handsome. If the stock you're considering buying, should you exercise your option rights under your stock option contract, is only worth $9 on the markets all you need to do is let the contract die at expiration date, thus not exercising your option rights.
Once you've gained an easy familiarity with just how stock option contracts work, always take a bit more time to learn from those experienced at trading them. There are many different websites on the Internet that make a ton of promises when it comes to stock options trading education, especially when it comes to using them as an investment strategy. However, if you really want to ensure your success in trading stock options you need to closely examine any website making promises related to turning you into a super-trader or the like before handing over any money in hopes of becoming that sort of trader. You also need to beware any stock options website promoting some sort of "autopilot" automated stock option contract trading software. While it's true that there's a lot of money to be made in trading stocks and their options you can see just as much money fly away by trusting only to an automated trading software package.
Stock options trading can be exciting, of that there's little doubt, and you can check out the strategy by visiting the NASDAQ -- once known as the "National Association of Securities Dealers, Automated Quotation" -- website to see what it's all about. If you're already up to speed on the basics of stocks and how they're bought and sold and you're ready to jump into their derivatives by trading stock options, check out a few professional trading-type websites beforehand. Keep in mind that stock options and their contracts are complex, so spending some time in close proximity to professional traders, learning from them, is highly advised.
About the Author:
Before you even think about trading in stock options, make sure you check out the Option Millionaires website and its tutorials on stock options trading as well as its active stock options trader forums.. Free reprint available from: Gaining An Understanding Of Stock Options Trading Before Actually Trading Them.
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