Friday, December 26, 2008

The Basics Of Stock Option Trading

By Walter Fox

Learning to invest in the stock market can be difficult for beginners. Normally, a great deal of experience is required. Access to someone with knowledge of the markets is can be helpful too. In particular, options trading can be quite complex.

Option trading is much more advanced in the whole scheme of the investing industry. However this article will try to give you the basic on the process so that you can make a decision for yourself whether or not you want to pursue this tactic.

First of all, stock option trading has two subcategories that enable it to work the way it does. Similar to just buying and selling stock, option tracing has a little more details. Options trading systems consist of call options and put options.

Buying a call option gives you the ability to purchase one hundred stocks at a predetermined price, known as the strike price. However, keep in mind that you do not have to exercise the option if it is not in your favour.

Once you have bought your stock options, then you will hopefully see stocks rise thus giving you a profit. The call option is valid until a deadline. So you can either use it until the deadline or exercise your right to use the option, which usually consists of buying or selling at a strike price which is another story.

Next, we will look at put options. Put options give you the right to sell one hundred stocks at a predetermined price. This concept may seem a little backwards since it is the opposite of what you might know about standard trading.

Typically, people buy put options when they anticipate or hope that the stocks will go down. This will actually give them a profit by being able to sell their stocks at a higher price or exercising their option. Often people will resort to this method because it actually reduces your risk of loses.

To conclude, there is money to be made in options trading if you know what youare doing and have the ability to consult with somebody knowledgeable. Learning the ins and outs of options trading well can position you to profit nicely. - 16036

About the Author: