Do you want to trade options but are unsure where to begin? Look nowhere else! In this piece, we will teach you the basics of option trading in just 5 minutes.

First let’s start by defining what an option is. An option is a two-party agreement which grants the buyer the right—but not the obligation—to purchase or sell an underlying asset at a fixed price within a defined window of time.

A call option is a contract that gives you the right to buy the stock at a set price, known as the strike price, at any point until the contract’s expiration date however you’re not obligated to execute the option.  The buyer of a call option is essentially making a bet that the value of the underlying asset will increase in the future.

Whereas a put is a contract which gives buyer the right to sell the stock at the predetermined strike price. Also you’re not obliged to execute the contract and hence if the price of the asset doesn’t drop enough, you can let the contract expire. A put option’s buyer is making a bet that the value of the underlying asset will decrease in the future.

Let’s now discuss the advantages of trading options. Options can be used to bring in revenue, hedge against risk, and speculate on market changes. They may also yield greater returns than conventional investments.

For trading options, you must create a brokerage account with a registered and trustworthy firm. You can purchase and sell options after you have an account, just like you would with stocks.

When buying options, you will pay a premium, which is the price of the option. The cost of the underlying asset, the strike price, the amount of time left until expiry, and the volatility of the underlying asset are some of the variables that affect the cost of premium.

When you sell an option, you get paid the premium but with it come the responsibility for the buyer’s decision to buy or sell the underlying asset if the buyer chooses to exercise the option. Due to this obligation, one must account for the potential risks before selling options.

Finally, investing in options may be a profitable and exciting endeavor. You may start this amazing journey by being familiar with the fundamentals of options and opting for a trustworthy broker. However do your homework and comprehend the risks before making any trade.