Buying Stock Versus Stock Option Trading

By Micheal Thomas

Traders and investors are well aware of the difference between buying stocks and purchasing stock options. Purchasing options means you are speculating on the direction of the market in your favor. Option trading is different than simply purchasing shares and requires experience when moving forward with transactions. The terminology and strategies are different and should be approached by the experienced traders versus the novice. Understanding the differences should be the goal of everyone interested in trading options or stocks on the markets.

In options trading there are two types of options called puts and calls. Purchasing a call options give you the right to purchase the stock at the strike point prior to the option expiration. When purchasing a put option you have the right to sell the stock at the strike point any time prior to the expiration date. A call option is purchased when you expect the price of the stock to inflate while a put option is purchased when you expect the price to deflate.

Stock option trading is a profitable opportunity for traders and investors as long as they base their strategy on a particular set of stocks or options, as well as formulate an overall buying and selling strategy. It is extremely important to understand the terminology and the various methods of trading before engaging in trading options on the market. This is not an activity for the novice trader or investor but instead takes experience, practice and understanding in order to become profitable.

It takes time to understand and acquire the skills and experience necessary to become a successful trader or investor dealing with option trading on the market. Understanding the market, stocks, stock options and all the trading techniques are a vital part of option trading. The difference between buying stocks as compared to buying options is that when you purchase a stock you own a piece of the company. Purchasing a stock option is a contract that lets you buy and sell the stock for that company at a certain price designated by the current market prior to that option expiring.

When performing option trading transactions you will either be buying or selling. Whether you are a trader or investor looking to buy an option or sell an option there has to be a purchaser and a buyer to complete an entire transaction. Each buyer and seller for each option will have to call or put in order to adequately complete the trading. This type of trading can be performed by experienced traders and investors whereas novice traders should seek advice.

Traders and investors are very much like gamblers since they are betting that the market will move one way or the other. They base their option trading strategies and make their transactions based on the market position, trending and direction. When option trading the term 'zero-sum game' is commonly used and refers to the option that the buyer gains equals the sellers loss and vice versa no matter whether there is an increase or decrease in market movement. - 31876

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