Selling a Call Option. What is a Call Option?

Selling a call option is selling the right to buy an asset at some point in time for a certain price. The buyer of this contract has no obligation to pay anything until that date, but if they do not exercise their rights by then, they lose money on it.

The seller of a put option receives payment when he or she sells the option and agrees to sell the underlying asset back to you at a set price. If the market value of the stock goes up above the strike price, your profit will be greater than zero; however, if the market falls below the strike price, you'll make less than nothing.

A futures contract gives its owner the right to purchase a commodity at a fixed future date and price. For example, one might own a "call" on corn with a December 31 expiration date. This means that the holder can either take delivery of the actual grain or receive cash instead.

Futures contracts are traded through exchanges like those mentioned earlier in this chapter. You may also find them listed under other names such as _futures_, _options_, _swaps_, and so forth. In addition to being traded over-the-counter, these instruments can be bought and sold directly between two parties without going through any exchange. * **Exotic options:** These types of derivatives include things like interest rate swaps, credit default swaps, currency forwards, and equity index futures. 

How does the selling option work?

Selling an option works much like buying a call option except that you're giving away something rather than receiving it. When you sell an option, you give someone else the right to buy from you what you have agreed to sell him/her. So, let's say I agree to sell you my car for $10,000. We both sign papers saying we've done this deal. Now, suppose I decide I don't want to part with my car after all. Instead, I tell you I'm willing to sell it to you for only $9,500. That way, you get more money than you would otherwise because you didn't need to spend the extra $1,500 to buy me out.

What happens if the person who buys the option doesn't use it?

If the person who buys the call option does not exercise his/her right to buy the underlying security, the option expires worthless. However, if the person exercises her/his right to buy the underlying asset, s/he pays us the amount specified in the option agreement.

How do selling options differ from buying calls?

When you buy a call option, you are agreeing to sell the underlying asset to another party at a specific price. Selling an option requires you to deliver the underlying asset to the purchaser. It's similar to how you'd go about selling a house — you must transfer ownership of the property to the new owner.

Why should anyone ever consider using options?

Options allow investors to speculate on whether prices will rise or fall. They provide exposure to risk while offering potential profits. Options enable people to hedge against losses and gain leverage. Leverage allows traders to trade large amounts of securities relative to their capital base.

How does an option differ from a forward contract?

An option is different from a forward contract in several ways. First, there is no obligation to perform or pay. Second, an option has a definite expiry date whereas a forward contract usually lasts indefinitely. Third, an option buyer makes payments based upon the difference between the current spot price and the strike price. 

A forward contract buyer pays a certain sum regardless of where the spot price stands. Fourth, an option buyer bears unlimited downside risks but limited upside gains. On the flip side, a forward contract buyer faces unlimited upside gains but limited downside risks. Fifth, an option seller receives payment when he sells the option; a forward contract seller gets paid once the contract matures. 

Sixth, an option holder can choose to either take delivery of the underlying instrument or receive cash instead. In contrast, a forward contract holder cannot change which form of a settlement he wants. Seventh, an option seller may be able to collect interest on the premium received by exercising the option. 

This feature isn’t available with forwards contracts. Eighth, an option seller can terminate the transaction before expiration without penalty. Forwards sellers face penalties if they cancel prior to maturity. Ninth, an option seller can always resell the option back into the market. Forward buyers cannot do so.

Why should you care about whether an option expires worthless?

An option that expires worthless means that your investment was lost because you didn’t have enough time to make money off the deal. If you bought a stock for $100 per share and sold it two weeks later for only $50 per share, then you would lose half of what you invested. The same thing could happen if you purchased a put option. You might not get any return on your initial outlay. However, if you had held onto the option until its expiration date, you would have been able to profit from the decline in value of the underlying security.

What happens after I exercise my option?

If you decide to exercise your option, you need to notify the other party as soon as possible. He needs this information to determine whether he still wishes to write the option. Once notified, the writer determines whether he wants to continue writing the option. If he decides to keep writing the option, he sends you the proceeds of his sale. These funds represent the amount due to you under the terms of the agreement.

 Who trades options?

Options are traded through brokers who specialize in trading these instruments. Brokers buy and sell options at prices determined by supply and demand. They also provide services such as clearing transactions, providing research reports, and managing portfolios.

 Can anyone trade options?

Yes! Anyone can purchase options. There are many types of investors who use options: speculators, hedgers, arbitrageurs, etc. Speculators hope to earn profits by buying low and selling high.

 Where can you learn how to trade options?

There are numerous books written specifically on options trading. Some good ones include “The Complete Guide To Options Trading” and “Trading With Options”. Both books cover all aspects of options trading including strategies, terminology, risk management, and more.

 How much does it cost to open an account with a broker?

Brokerage accounts typically range anywhere from $1,000-$10,000 depending on the size of the brokerage firm. Most firms offer free trial periods during which new clients can try their products. Afterward, fees will apply.

 Why do people like to invest in options?

People love investing in options because they allow them to speculate without risking capital. By purchasing a call option, an investor has the opportunity to bet that the underlying asset will

Pros of selling a call option

A call option gives the owner the right to buy 100 shares of XYZ Company common stock at some future point in time for a specified price. An investor who buys a call option hopes that the company's stock rises above the agreed-upon level. When the option expires, the investor must either deliver the shares or pay the option's stipulated price. Selling a call option allows an investor to lock in a gain while limiting potential losses.

Cons of selling a call option

Selling a call option is a risky business. It requires patience and discipline. In addition, there may be no guarantee that the buyer will actually take delivery of the securities. This is especially true when dealing with large companies whose stocks often fluctuate wildly.

Is selling a call option recommendable?

It depends upon the individual situation. For example, if you expect the market to rise over the next few months, selling calls makes sense. On the other hand, if you think the market will fall, selling puts makes more sense.