
Options Trading Guide: Understanding Types, Strategies and Key Risks
Options trading is a financial instrument that gives buyers the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell an underlying asset at a predetermined price within a specific time frame.
Types of Options Trading:
- Call Options: Rights to buy an asset at a set price before expiration, used when expecting price increases
- Put Options: Rights to sell an asset at a set price before expiration, used when expecting price decreases
- Binary Options: Fixed payout or no payout options based on expiration status
- Exotic Options: Complex options like barrier, compound, or rainbow options for specific investment goals

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Common Options Trading Strategies:
- Long Call: Buying call options expecting significant price increases
- Long Put: Buying put options expecting significant price decreases
- Covered Call: Selling call options against owned assets to generate premium income
- Protective Put: Buying put options to protect existing long positions
- Straddle: Buying both call and put options with identical strike prices and expiration dates
- Strangle: Similar to straddle but with different strike prices

Nine illustrated budget planning squares
Key Risks in Options Trading:
- Limited Time Frame: Options expire worthless if not exercised by expiration date
- Volatility: Market fluctuations affect option premiums and potential losses
- Complexity: Requires thorough understanding of strategies and terminology
- Potential Losses: Can result in substantial financial losses if trades go wrong
- Liquidity Issues: Some options have low trading volumes and wide bid-ask spreads
- Assignment Risk: Option sellers may be required to fulfill contract obligations

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Stock market volatility graph chart

Stock market volatility graph chart