Both strategies are generally bearish, but a call option gives you the right to sell, and a put option gives you the right to purchase.
Naturally, the risk associated with purchasing an option is only as high as the premium. This is so that, while your gains could be limitless, your loss would be restricted to the premium you paid. In contrast, the revenue you receive from selling an option is capped at the option premium you receive, but the potential losses are unbounded.
Using an example, let's examine the distinctions between a call and a put option. Additionally, let's learn how to buy put and call options from both the buy and sell sides.
Call Put Option: Right To Buy or Sell
The primary distinction between them is the right that the 'call put option' grants the contract holder.
Purchasing a call option entitles you to acquire shares at the strike price specifically mentioned in the contract. You expect the stock price to increase over the option's strike price. If so, you can purchase shares at the strike price—a discount to the going market price—and resell them right away for a profit.
The right to sell shares at the contract's strike price is acquired when you purchase a put option. You hope that the price of the underlying stock will drop. You can sell the shares at a profit if the stock price drops below the strike price and exceeds what the shares are currently trading for on the market.
Risk When Buying And Selling Puts and Calls
Before committing, it's critical to comprehend the dangers associated with buying and selling puts and calls so that you can gauge your limits. Both put and call options carry distinct risks, so it's critical to grasp the differences to decide how to use your investing assets and where to put them.
Call Option Risks
The possibility that the stock price would only slightly rise is the most risk associated with call options. This implies that you can experience a loss on your investment. This is a result of the premium each share requires. You might only get a small return on this investment if the stock doesn't cover the premium amount.
Put Option Risks
You successfully handle the risk in your portfolio when you use a put option. Suppose you own 100 shares of Stock ABC for $100 today, believing the price will drop. Put options are available for purchase, with the option to sell for $100 per share. You may exercise this option if the price of a share decreases to $90. So, you might just lose your premium amount in the market rather than $1,000.
Basic Terminologies To Know
Now that you are aware of what is call and put option, let's explore the terminologies:
- Spot Price: In the stock market, it refers to the underlying asset's current price.
- The Strike Price: After a certain amount of time, buyers and sellers choose to purchase or sell the underlying asset at this price.
- Premium Option: It is the sum that the option seller receives upfront from the option buyer and is not refundable.
- Options Expiration: The final Thursday of each month is when options contracts are considered to expire.
- Resolution: Option contracts are settled in Indian currency.
Why Leverage The Power of Call and Put Option?
Speculation is a major factor in why investors utilize call-and-put options. This is essentially a gamble on where stock values will end up in the future. A speculator may have an optimistic view of the future price of equities due to fundamental, technical, or other causes.
As a result, a speculator purchases stock or stocks along with a call option. Since options give them leverage, some traders find it more enticing to speculate on a call option than to purchase the stock outright. In contrast to the entire cost of an expensive stock, you might just have to pay a small sum for an "out-of-the-money" call option.
Conclusion
Even though options are risky, traders can use them wisely. Yes, options can assist in reducing risk while still letting you profit from a stock's gain or loss if used appropriately. Naturally, choices also allow you to go for the big score if you want.