What is a call option and a put option?

You'll see these terms used all the time, so understanding them is a must. A call option is the right to buy a stock at a specific price by an expiration date, and a put option is the right to sell a stock at a specific price by an expiration date. That's the short summary of these options contracts.

What is the difference between a call and a put?

When you buy a call, you make a small payment, or the “premium,” in exchange for the right to purchase the underlying stock at a set price, or the “strike price,” on or before a specified date, or the “expiration." Buying a put is similar, except it gives you the right to sell the underlying stock at the strike price on or before expiration.

What is an example of a call & put?

Applications of Options: Calls and Puts Options: calls and puts are primarily used by investors to hedge against risks in existing investments. It is frequently the case, for example, that an investor who owns stock buys or sells options on the stock to hedge his direct investment in the underlying asset.