An option is a traded security that is a derivative product.

By derivative product we mean that it is a product whose value is based upon or derived from the price of something else. Since we are talking about stocks, a stock option is based upon, among other things, the price of the underlying stock.

There are also options on other traded securities such as currencies, indexes and interest rates, but here we will limit our discussion to stock options, or options based on stocks.

A distinguishing factor of an option is that is a depreciating asset in the sense that it has a limited life, and has to be used before the date on which it expires. As time goes by, the option loses value as it moves closer to its expiration date

When we speak of options in terms of volume, we refer to contracts. Each stock option contract is equivalent to 100 shares of stock. When we talk about two contracts, we are talking about 200 shares, 10 contracts; we are talking about 1,000 shares, 75 contracts 7500 shares and so on.

NOTE: It is important to understand the dollar cost of options before actually trading them. When an option is quoted at $1.00 per contract, the investor must realize that the $1.00 represents a price of $1.00 per share, not per contract. Remember that each contract is worth 100 shares. This means that if you were to buy one option contract at a quoted price of $1.00, your total cost will be $100.00 (1 contract x $1.00 per share x 100 shares per contract). If you were to buy 10 contracts for $1.50 per contract, your total cost will be $1500.00. Use the formula below when calculating total dollar cost of the option.

Amount of       Equivalent Amount of


Shares            Option Contracts

100                    


   1
200                      2
1000                     10
7500                     75
15000                    150
50000                    500
100000                   1000 

Total Dollar Cost of Trade = Number of Contracts x Price per Contract x 100

Option contracts are literally a sales agreement between two parties. The two parties are the buyer (or holder) and the seller (or writer). When you buy an option contract you are considered to be long the option. When you sell an option contract, you are considered to be short the option. This, of course, is assuming you had no previous position in the said option.

In an option contract, although it seems as though the buyer and seller must be tied together, they are not. You see, the buyer doesn’t really buy from the seller and the seller doesn’t really sell to the buyer.

In reality, an organization called the OCC or options Clearing Corporation steps in between the two sides. The OCC buys from the seller and sells to the buyer. This makes the OCC neutral, and it allows both the buyer and the seller to trade out of a position without involving the other party.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
If You Would Like to Learn More About The Options Basics
Responsibilities Then Discover How to Protect Your Investments
With the Leveraged Power of Options & Learn How to Trade Options
Like the Pros..

Click Here --> http://www.options-university.org
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

• Options Made Easy and Investor Education - Simple Enough for a 10 yr Old Kid


• Critical Investors Business Daily Responsibilities - If not Followed Could Cost You Millions!


• Creating a Financial Future - Putting Your Plan Into Action Part 1


• Creating a Financial Future--Putting Your Plan Into Action Part 2


• Have Analysts Gotten Honest?


• Seecrets on Investment: Tired of Making Huge Losses in the Stock Market – Part 1


• Margin Benefits are Marginal at Best


• The American Age of Inflation is Over


• Have You Ever Seen A Map of the World Turned Upside Down?


• Real Estate Clubs Hot Among Investors


• What Is A Fair Market Value, Really? If Youre Going To Trade, Be Sure Its Worth It!


• The Power of Small Numbers: Trading Success is Based on Consistency, Not Home Runs


• Emotions: A Traders Worst Enemy; Get Rid of Fear and Greed - Youll be Glad You Did


• Makin The Sauce


• When NOT to Invest