What Are Trading Options And How Do They Work?

May 09, 2025

The scope of a high-profit and flexibility combination is much appreciated in the trading world. Tools that can help traders gauge and control risk gain massive popularity. The market can be unpredictable, and traders must be observant to reap great returns. Naturally, investment instruments like trading options have emerged as significant choices.

Trading options are derivatives or contracts that provide traders with unique buying and selling rights. There are different types of trading options, and there are various strategies to maximise the benefits of trading options. Here, we will explore what trading options are and how they work. We have more valuable insights about these contracts for your trading decisions. Read on!

Explaining Trading Options

Options trading is an investment strategy wherein investors buy or sell options contracts, which entitle them to the right but not the obligation to buy or sell an underlying security, such as stocks, at a particular price (strike price) on or before the expiry date.

The value of options depends on the performance of the underlying assets. Investors utilise options for a variety of reasons, from hedging against price fluctuations to earning extra returns or speculating on market movement without owning the underlying asset. This approach gives traders a strategic edge by enabling them to position themselves based on market movement and risk levels.

Types of Options

There are mainly two types of options:

Call Option: Permits the option holder to buy the asset
Put Option: Permits the option holder to sell the asset

How Trading Options Work

When one decides to invest in an option, they are essentially paying a premium not directly for the asset but for the right to buy or sell the security. They can exercise this right anytime before the predecided expiration date. The trade will occur at the specified price.

How do the option holders exercise their call and put options?

Suppose the market looks profitable. The option holder can exercise their right and receive the benefits. However, if the market becomes unfavourable, option holders can very well decide not to exercise their right and let the option expire. They will incur a loss on the premium paid, but the reasoning behind the decision is that the potential losses are more significant than the premium.

If you have a call option and the asset price is expected to increase, you can opt to purchase at the prefixed price. If you have a put option and the price is expected to fall, you can still sell at a higher fixed price.

Different Strategies for Trading Options

Here are the trading option strategies to keep in mind:

Long Call Strategy

Traders mainly apply this strategy if the underlying asset’s price is expected to rise significantly. It is a strategy of buying a call option for the underlying asset at the preset strike price before the expiration date. If the price of the asset surpasses the strike price, the trader can still buy at a lower price and reap benefits.

Short Call Strategy

This strategy is to sell a call option without holding the underlying asset. The seller will have to sell the asset at the strike price if the buyer exercises the option. Traders use this strategy when they believe the price of the asset will stay the same or go down, as they can retrieve the premium from selling the option without having to sell the asset at a loss.

Long Put Strategy

It is a strategy of purchasing a put option at a specified strike price. Traders opt for this strategy when a sharp drop is predicted in the asset's price. If the price drops below the strike price, they can sell at a better price and earn a profit on the difference.

Short Put Strategy

In this strategy, the trader sells a put option without holding the underlying asset. The trade will occur at the strike price. This strategy is exercised when the trader predicts the asset's price will not move significantly lower or even advance, and they will be able to earn from the premium paid without being compelled to buy at a loss.

Long Straddle Option Strategy

This strategy means purchasing both a call and a put option. The strike price and expiration date are the same for both. It is best used when the trader anticipates a substantial movement in price but does not know whether the price will increase or decrease. Either the call or the put will result in profits when there is significant movement in the price.

Short Straddle Strategy

This strategy is the reverse of a long straddle, where the investor sells a put and a call option. The strike price and expiration date remain the same. The aim is to make money from the premium received, expecting the cost of the asset to remain stable within a range.

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FAQs

1. What is the strike price?

Strike price refers to the price specified in the option contract at which any sale or purchase is to be made.

2. What are index options?

Options with an index as the underlying asset are termed index options.

3. What are European options?

Some options can be sold or bought only on the date of expiration. These are called European options.

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