Investing in ETF Options: Perspective of a Trader
I found an enlightening interview of a trader talk about investing in ETF options. Let us have a quick look at what ETFs and Options are before we move to the interview…
A security that tracks an index, a commodity or a basket of assets like an index fund, but trades like a stock on an exchange, thus experiencing price changes throughout the day as it is bought and sold.
What are Options
A privilege sold by one party to another that offers the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to buy (call) or sell (put) a security at an agreed-upon price (strike price) during a certain period of time or on a specific date. Options are extremely versatile securities that can be used in many different ways. Traders use options to speculate, which is a relatively risky practice, while hedgers use options to reduce the risk of holding an asset.
Naked calls increase in value as the underlying stock increases in value. Likewise naked puts increase in value as the underlying stock decreases in value. Buying both a naked call and a naked put means that if the underlying stock moves up the call increases in value and likewise if the underlying stock moves down the put increases in value. The combined position can increase in value if the stock moves in either direction. The position loses money if the stock stays at the same price or within a range of the price when the position was established. This strategy is called a straddle. It is one of many options strategies that investors can employ. Options strategies can favor movements in the underlying stock that are bullish, bearish or neutral.
Taipan Financial News’ Smart Investing host Sandy Franks gets ETF trader Rick Pendergraft’s advice on profitable ETF investing.
Recommended Books:
- Options, Futures and Other Derivatives
- Come Into My Trading Room: A Complete Guide to Trading
- Get Rich With Options: Four Winning Strategies
Related Posts:
(Source: Wikipedia, Investopedia)