What is options trading?

Options trading isthe practice of buying or selling options contracts. These contracts are agreements that give the holder the choice to buy or sell a collection of underlying securities at a set price by a specific date. Investors can, but don't have to, own the underlying security to purchase or sell an option.

How are options trading and volatility related?

Options trading and volatility are intrinsically linked to each other in this way. On most U.S. exchanges, a stock option contract is the option to buy or sell 100 shares; that's why you must multiply the contract premium by 100 to get the total amount you’ll have to spend to buy the call.

How does a stock option contract work?

On most U.S. exchanges, a stock option contract is the option to buy or sell 100 shares; that's why you must multiply the contract premium by 100 to get the total amount you’ll have to spend to buy the call. The majority of the time, holders choose to take their profits by trading out (closing out) their position.

What are stock options based on equities?

Options based on equities, more commonly known as “stock options,” typically are a natural lead for traders new to options. Stock options are listed on exchanges like the New York Stock Exchange in the form of a quote. It is important to understand the details of a stock option quote before you make a move.