The whole stock market trading game is based on future speculation and uncertainties, and options trading is one such technique where the investor’s actions are based on the future direction of the stock market. Options are a form of derivative trading where the investors have the option to buy or sell a stock based on the chosen price at some point in the future. In options trading, the investor has to pay a premium for this right to the sellers. If the speculated prices are not favorable, the buyers can choose not to exercise their rights, which leads to less loss incurred. The options contract acts as a safety net that safeguards investors from losing more than they can afford.
However, for a beginner in the stock market, options trading can be a bit confusing, and professional guidance can be of great help. For example, properly using Interactive Brokers for options trading can help avoid unforeseen losses in options trading. The following article further discusses some of the pitfalls that you easily avoid in options trading. If you happen to be a beginner in options trading, let us help you understand what options trading is.
What is Options Trading, and How Does it Work?
Options trading is a contract that investors use to speculate the price of an underlying asset at a specific date in the future without actually having to buy the asset. Therefore, if the asset's price is unfavorable for the investor, the only loss they incur is the contract's price.
For instance, let's say there is a benchmark stock, “XYZ,” on the New York Stock Exchange. As an investor, you can buy an options contract that will give you the right to buy the stock if the prices are in your favor. However, your speculations went wrong, and the asset prices were unfavorable. In such a case, you are not obliged to buy the stock; the only loss you incurred was the premium you paid for the contract.
How Can You Avoid Pitfalls in Options Trading
Trading in options is appealing, but there are certain pitfalls as well. Let us see what are these and how you can avoid them.
Not Having a Strategy in Place:
Options trading has a lot of benefits, but diving into it without a proper strategy in place can be very risky. Options trading is all about finding opportunities, but how will you identify these opportunities if you don’t have a strategy? Therefore, you must have a set of criteria that you can use to identify if the opportunities are worth investing in. Moreover, you also have to think about how much you are willing to lose if things don’t move in your favor. You have to consider all these factors in your strategy to actually start earning profits.
Lack of Diversification:
One of the most common problems that option trading faces is a lack of diversification. Generally, in any investment, having a diversified portfolio always adds an extra layer of safety. This means you must buy stocks from different companies and sectors to be extra safe. However, with options trading, there are more possibilities. You have the option to deal with calls and puts, covered calls, married puts, and bear put spreads. Using numerous strategies can help you succeed even if one strategy is unsuccessful.
Using Margins to Buy Options
Using margin loans to buy options can be tempting because it allows you to generate a lot of profit without much capital investment. However, the problem is that while margin loans can amplify wins, they can also amplify losses. Overall margins are risky, whether you use it in option trading or not.
Failing to Understand the Technical Indicators:
When you are options trading, you must understand the dynamics of options trading and how they work. For instance, technical indicators such as delta, gamma, vega, and theta of options trading must be thoroughly understood by every trader. Therefore, if you are unfamiliar with these terms, it is best to get started now.
Ignoring Volatility:
Even though the associated risk is less, the options market is highly volatile. However, you can also use this volatility to your advantage. The expected premium of the contracts is determined by the volatility of the stocks. When you come across a cheap option, you should understand why it is cheap; it is due to its volatility. This will help you determine whether an option is worth buying.
Focusing Only on Illiquid Options
When one uses the term liquid, it means the ease with which an asset can be converted into cash. Shares are often considered liquid assets because they can be easily sold when the market opens. But options trading is not as simple as selling your stocks in the open market. Option trading relies on a bid-ask spreader, which is the difference between what sellers are asking for an asset and what buyers are willing to pay (bid). If there is a massive difference between the two, you have an illiquid option, which will make it difficult for you to find a buyer, given the rapid price swing in options trading.
Conclusion
Before diving into options trading, it is best to have a solid understanding of how it works, its pitfalls, and how to avoid them. Once you understand the concept, you have to outline a strategy that will be the guiding light in your trading journey. However, if you still don’t feel confident, you can always get in touch with a broker to help you out. Remember, the stock market is very volatile, even if you have a safety net. Therefore, it is best to step into it with caution.