Call Options Trading - How To Buy and Sell Option Contracts

A frequent question I have been receiving in emails have been dealing with my decision to trade options for my long positions. I understand option trading can be confusing, but I thought I would dedicate a post to give a quick definition of options trading, more particularly call options rather than puts, considering that calls are mostly what I have been doing lately. Hopefully I can shed some light on why I choose to trade them. If you are currently having grief with your trading platform or are looking for a new platform to trade options with, I recommend TradeKing. Good platform, some of the lowest commissions I have seen, and they are running a $50 credit promotion for sign up before December. You can sign up here: Open an account at TradeKing and get $50.


First, an Option is a leveraged contract purchased at a premium, representing the control of 100 shares of a given stock. In other words, when buying an option, you are buying a contract with the "option" to purchase 100 shares per contract at any time within the contract period. Below is an example of a Call Option table for Apple. First notice that this is an option expiring Fri, Dec 19, 2008 as it says in the upper right corner. This means that the terms of this contract are valid until the given date. You can buy contracts years in advance of expiration. We will use this Dec 19 ending contract as an example. Lets brake it down.



Strike - This is the price per share that, if executed, the buyer of the option contract is able to purchase the stock. For example, circled in red is $90. This means no matter how high apple goes before the expiration date, I have the option to execute my contract for $90 per share.

Symbol - Every option contract has a unique symbol, much like a stock ticker. This just identifies the actual contract. You can track these in your portfolio traders much like regular stocks using these ticker symbols.

Last/Chg/Bid/Ask/Vol - These are all symbols that I am sure most of you will recognize, because they are found in the trading of normal stocks. They trade much like normal stocks. However, lets dive into the pricing of options.

Buying Call Options
You will notice on the $90 option, the Bid is $4.90 per contract. Now be careful, because this does not mean that each contract is $4.90 each. This means that your paying a $4.90 premium per every share you buy. Having 1 option contract representing 100 shares, this means that 1 option contract for this contract would cost you (4.90 * 100 shares) or $490. This represents your cost basis, as well as your maximum loss if Apple decides to tank. Remember, this does not give you ownership of 100 shares, just the right to purchase 100 shares at the "strike price." If you do decide to exercise the contract, you will have to pay the additional (100*90) or $9000 to own the shares.

So lets say we purchase this contract and pay our $490+commission. To do this, we select the "Buy to Open", which means we are opening this contract. As Apple stock continues to move, so will its option price. The only difference is that the option price will move with much more volatility, because of it's 100/1 leverage. This gives buyers a good opportunity to receive bigger gains as they choose to buy stocks at the right bumps. From now until the expiration date, we are now able to resell this contract. So if Apple ends up going up to $95, its option price will go up considerably more on a percentage basis. If we were to turn around and sell it, we would select the "Sell to Close." This would then free us from this contract. Many times you are able to flip an option contract within a few days and double your money. This means you are able to make a nice healthy profit without ever having owned the stock! However, this can get you both ways. It can go down just as fast as it goes up.

As time moves closer to the expiration date, demand will go down for the contract, especially if you haven't reached your "strike price." It is best to try and resell your contract with some time left before expiration. Anytime your option is "in the money", this means that the price of the stock is over the strike price you purchased it for. This usually will give you a good profit if you can get your options in the money.

When you buy an option contract, you are not obligated to exercise it. In fact, I rarely exercise an option contract. My goal is always to be able to flip the contract before it even gets close to its expiration date. However, if you wish to control the shares at the strike price, you're more than welcome to. I would just rather make my profits on the option appreciation, rather than forking up more money to purchase the actual shares. It's less of a hassle for me. If you choose never to resell the contract for whatever reason, your contract would then automatically expire (unless it was in the money, where sometimes banks will automatically exercise them) after the expiration date, freeing you from the contract.

The reason I choose to trade options, especially in this market, are for a few reasons. First, I like the volatility. If I time the bumps right, I will be rewarded far more on my options, than if I were to own stock shares for the same cost basis. Second, the ability it gives me to control hundreds of shares for a minimal basis. Options minimize my downside risk considerably rather than if I chose to own the actual shares. This makes me a lot more comfortable, especially in this market. Options have also been in more demand with the uncertainty of the market. On up days, options can be trading considerably higher, just from the premium people are willing to pay for the security.

Another side to trading options, are playing the short side, or Puts. This usually requires margin trading (which essentially means borrowing from your bank) and can be very risky if the market doesn't go the way you want it to. Sure, you can make a lot of money off of naked shorts, but I choose not to play them as often.

Most every Investment Bank allows for option trading. For some banks, a new application is sometimes required to be approved for option trading. Even with that, many times you are limited to what kind of trading you can do, depending on your experience. They will usually start you off of non-margin option trading to help you learn the ropes. If you can't trade options, check with your bank you trade with. I use Zecco.com a lot as I have found they have some of the most competitive prices for commissions.


I hope this helped those of you that have been wondering how to trade options to see if it's something for you. I have found options to be very profitable for me in this market and a great hedge for my short position. Covered calls can also be a great way to make extra profits on a long position you may be holding. By doing so, you can continue to lower your cost basis.

I hope everyone has a good week and holiday. See you tomorrow.

67 comments:

  1. Anonymous Says:

    Wow thanks! i've been trying to figure out option trading for a while, this helped alot. So the min amount we can buy for options is 100 shares (1 contract)?

  2. Jaryl Says:

    I consider myself a newbie and I am doing virtual trading and I've got a few questions.

    Doesn't volatility drive up option prices? How does it affect your strategy.

    In my virtual trades, I can buy an option and sell it off for profit like a day trader. But I've read that this is usually a bad idea. Why so?

  3. Anonymous Says:

    You should probably mention the difference between American and European options. Good article!

  4. Finance Fanatic Says:

    Will, yes the minimum amount of shares you can control for options is 100 shares. Remember, you don't actually own them yet when purchasing the contract. Just the "option" to purchase them.

    Jaryl, Indeed with today's volatility makes prices at a premium especially on an up day. However, it is usually the opposite on a strong sell off day. You can usually pick up a discounted option contract towards the end of a sell off day due to panic. On up days you buy for a premium and on sell off days you sell for a premium, you just need to time the bumps right.

    Some analysts think its not a good idea, because of volatility, increase in transaction costs, and because time is against you. Every day that goes by, your option loses its Time value premium more. In normal markets, I would agree, however, in our current market, I believe its a great time to flip options.

    For example, in 2 days, I have made 165% on my GDX option. It's hard to do that with a stock. Just make sure you trade reputable company's/sector's options.

    Anon,
    Sorry, I don't have much light to shed on European options.

  5. Anonymous Says:

    Thanks for the article, I look forward to learning more about options. Can you recommend a site for getting options quotes, particularly with intraday historical data, maybe even graphs?

    It seems to me that volume of options is much lower than the underlying stock. Any suggestions of minimum volumes to ensure liquidity?

  6. Finance Fanatic Says:

    Christian,
    There are a list of some of the sites I use for reference on the left column. I also talk in the article of Trade King. They have a great trading platform as well as very low commissions (see link in article for their $50 November bonus sign up).

    As for volume, if the option is trading in the multiple hundreds (daily) you should be fine. Options will trade significantly lower than stock because of the leverage basis. But the spreads from the Bid and the Ask should remain relatively low.

  7. Anonymous Says:

    Didn't think you needed a margin account to buy puts.

  8. Finance Fanatic Says:

    No you dont mbhunter, but if you want to sell puts without owning the stock, you will sell them on margin, which can get scary if you don't cover it, but you can buy puts, much like call options without using margin.

  9. Unknown Says:

    Best lay man description I have read to date. Good Job!!!.

    When u click the link on the Symbol, you are presented with more info.

    How helpful are the Day's Range and Contract Range data points?

  10. Anonymous Says:

    An important warning about puts is appropriate here (especially because I've learned that service reps at discount brokerages may not even be aware of this): At least at some brokerages (eg, TD Ameritrade), an expired in-the-money put option automatically becomes a short position on the underlying symbol.

    I was badly caught off guard by this -- especially because I hadn't applied for a margin account before and didn't even think that I could, much less intend, to execute short sales.

    In such a case, if you are ignorant like I was, you can quickly find yourself in very hot water: your "safer" put option (where you're only out the premium you paid) can suddenly and shockingly transform itself into an unlimited risk short position.

  11. Finance Fanatic Says:

    Good Point Anon. Schwab also enforces the automatic execution of call/puts in the money, which can be very frustrating if you aren't expecting it, so make sure you are aware of that.

  12. thomasgalvin Says:

    Truly a exceptional article. I found this article very helping and learning for newcomers in this field. Very well informed the key points.

  13. Anonymous Says:

    I'm trying to figure out the meaning of last, bid, and ask and the difference between them. when you want to buy an option contract you have to look at the amount underneath "bid" but when you want to sell, which number are you looking at?

  14. joshwalter01 Says:

    What kind of account and what level options trading do I need to flip the options like you are saying? I plan to work only with calls - help ASAP!

  15. Anonymous Says:

    This is an old article but, I am looking to short TLT with options. I am currently holding TBT as a buy and hold for interest rates to increase. So, if I want to short an ETF and I choose to buy to open do I just select a strike price that's lower than the current price of the ETF? I have heard there's a more conservative way to place calls and that is to "Buy then immediately sell calls". I don't understand how this works. So, I am thinking of buying TLT and immediately sell calls betting that the future price of long treasuries will drop. Cheers, Johnny

  16. QUALITY STOCKS UNDER 5 DOLLARS Says:

    I have never been big fan of options. Stock Warrants can sometimes be very attractive.

  17. Stocks and investments Says:

    I am so grateful to read this such a wonderful post. Thank you for discussing this great topic. I really admire the writer for allotting their time for this impressive article. Thank you.

  18. Anonymous Says:

    Thanks for this writing. I understand more from your article.
    I wonder if you ever run into a time that you cannot sell to close even though you are in the money?

    Thanks again

  19. Unknown Says:

    Thank you for this informative post..I have been struggling on how all of this stuff works..

    I'm still not altogether there but further ahead than before...

    So if you buy a call for $490.00 you have until closing of option to sell it for profit other wise you loose the $490.00..is this correct?
    Hank

  20. Unknown Says:

    Chanel replica are some of the a lot of chanel replica approved on the bazaar today.Admitting a baby chanel replica of actual contempo origins,the characterization has been a big hit,accepted abnormally with the aggressive and aegis cadre whom the aggregation targets for a chump base.In fact,their antecedent success stemmed from their acceptance by NATO and the cast of replica watches France's bomb auctioning services.Bell and Ross Replica Watches are in some respects simple to accomplish for counterfeiters,as they do not arise to advance any decidedly absolute architecture and abstruse elements,admitting they attending just accomplished and plan alluringly adjoin any alarm accessible today and thus,there is a appeal for replica watches.However,of all the Bell and Ross Replica Watches to be begin online,the BR-01 is arguably the a lot of acknowledged of gucci replica all louis vuitton replica.It had bigger be,as the BR Instrument band has accepted to be a abiding moneymaker for the company,and there is no curtailment of louis vuitton replica with which to analyze a replica watches toAdult females forth crave facial beef and abounding architecture in adjustment to adumbration independantly way up Replica Accoutrements afterwards prada replica apprehension We accept a claim of accoutrements that will yield such items Just what absolutely don't you crave on duke afterwards you go away? Association usually crave his or her capital,cellular buzz and wallet Practically communicating,abreast lifetime is not ideal afterwards accepting all these assorted accoutrements From replica shoes the abundant claim associated with populace,assorted accoutrements arise accessible on the bazaar Generally,association bear assorted items with them whenever they advance alfresco People that appearance up at birthdays forth bear a lot of dior replica the abstracts or conceivably lap acme.

  21. cheap replica watches Says:

    The pair were the dream about a singular gentleman, that son with the watch brand name, whose adoration regarding pop's art ended up being being die hard inside 1875. Subsequent to greater millennium involving specific design, this kind of special looks after always encourage enthusiasm contained in the knowledgeable supporters whom use them. best fake Louis Vuitton Luggage There's some faux montres omega movement newbie, accurate and also genuine, which may honors Cheap Replica Bell & Ross Watches UK typically the delicate in just operation affiliated with Armand Nicolet watches. Accurate enthusiasts Swiss Replica Watches UK happen to be attracted at their own originality in addition to technological know-how as cheap replica Bell & amp Ross BR 01-92 watches affecting Armand Nicolet's 1902 check account enjoy. That has a "guilloche" plants platinum position, one decision chronographic operate, comprehensive working arrangements, duplicating a long while, one fourth a long while along with the help of min's, it turned out a masterpiece throughout their day instance which exhibited that maturity in relation to Armand's flexibility and set the types of materials for virtually all Armand Nicolet watches to can be purchased.

  22. John Martin Says:

    I truly esteem your carry out the occupation and tips determined by you is useful to me. I will impart this subtle elements to my relatives and companions.
    Case Study Analysis

  23. Unknown Says:

    Thankyou for this wondrous post, I am glad I observed this website on yahoo.
    downlodable avtivation codes

  24. rustam Says:

    Nice to be visiting your blog again, it has been months for me. Well this article that i've been waited for so long. I need this article to complete my assignment in the college, and it has same topic with your article. Thanks, great share.
    downlodable games

  25. rustam Says:

    Great Article it its really informative and innovative keep us posted with new updates. its was really valuable. thanks a lot.
    download freeware

  26. Charlie Says:

    Wish List:Compose your Christmas wish list and store it. downlodable games Madrid - City Guide & Offline Map (Travel Guide for Sights, Hotels) for iPhone.

  27. Leon Says:

    Photos: See images of recent events and the SOU campuses. downloadthefilefast.review The Help file is well-written and contains useful tips and strategies.

  28. Jack Says:

    Here you will find great, gospel centred preaching and articles are well as stories of transformation. downlodable tv shows You lose one point for each movement (minimum score of 0) and gain five hundred points for reaching the opposite side (the yellow tile).

  29. Jenson Says:

    Make syncing your cameras with your audio while out on location easier than ever, and leave that big heavy clapperboard at home. downlodable warez BATTLE - ULTIMATE SKILL FEATUREYou can get more attacks with progression.

  30. Unknown Says:

    En la seccin Nmeros, se asocia cada uno de ellos, en forma de botn, con su pronunciacin y su nombre escrito. Look for it BOOKMARKSSave your favorite locations with just a tap.

  31. Unknown Says:

    High Performance MySQL teaches you advanced techniques in depth so you can bring out MySQL's full power. checkout this. When you and your teammates capture enough points at a flag, you capture it.

  32. Frankie Says:

    The fact is, whether its a dog hit by a train or an old lady who had a heart attack on the can, someone has to clean up the nasty mess. download software Quickly search for articles that contain keywords - Retrieve RSS subscriptions that were in Mail before Mountain Lion (prior to 10.

  33. Unknown Says:

    In the work-room the scissors leave selvage and remnant. downlodable music See dictionary description of the word after spelling it.

  34. Unknown Says:

    NEW YORK CITY FBI agent Ryan Kelley has been dispatched to oversee hostage negotiations. gprparty.ru Destroy the creepy enemies by zapping them with a lighting-enabled super flashlight or upgrade to a flamethrower for even better defenses.

  35. millenium Says:

    The WI Newsline app indexes most every news headline from Wisconsin sources. hotcons.ru Mobiola WebCamera is a great way to share what cannot be recorded with a built-in laptop camera, as it is wireless and can be easily moved around.

  36. Anonymous Says:

    Thanx for sharing such useful post keep it up. Do My Law Assignments

  37. Unknown Says:

    - Improved Interface - Outline Image can be printed using an AirPrint enabled printer - Zoom increased on photos. Get it! Intuitive interface 37 Channels: VOV1, VOV2, VOV3, VOV5, VOVGT, VOVGTHCM.

  38. AMELIA77 Says:

    Race your DotBot to that power partl, pinch that X from player 2 and drop bombs in their paths to reign supreme. http://gooddownloadsoftwarearchive.us An easy way to recommend the book to your friends or Twitter feed.

  39. Unknown Says:

    In Scribble you are presented with nine different letters and your task is to create as many words as possible during a limited time. http://downloadallstuff.gdn Counts how many wet and solid diaper changes there have been through the day.

  40. Unknown Says:

    The panels are designed to work together in endless combinations. downloadthingsplease.top Some more powerful features:- Download files from the web or Dropbox.

  41. Rusram radjapov Says:

    Planning a nice vacation trip, and want to capture the highlights. http://downloadtorrentfromalexa.download Please contact Apple with any concerns about this OS change.

  42. Unknown Says:

    This app contains the entire collection of comics found in the trade paperback Star Wars: Legacy Volume 2Shards. downloadmoviex.me This is a preview with three of the 11 stories free.

  43. millenium Says:

    Pull up a list of nearby locations and see the singles sightings at those locations. downloadgtasanandreas.gdn Badge to show number of overdue unpaid bills and the bills which remind date are due.

  44. Rusram radjapov Says:

    " (Julianne MacLean, author of Portrait of a Lover)Beatrice Corning, the niece of the present earl, is a proper English miss. Web page. You child will chose the correctpicturedepending on the start of the word in the picture.

  45. mrfyzv Says:

    To progress during your workout, Fitlife increases weight or time every 4 weeks. downloadthingshere.top VideosWatch your favorite and new Geoffrey Gordon Composer videos.

  46. HBS Case Studies Solution Says:

    John Arnold Is An Academic Writer Of The Dissertation-Guidance. Who Writes Quality Academic Papers For Students To Help Them In Accomplishing Their Goals.

  47. Accounting Dissertation Help Says:

    Such A Nice Post, Keep Providing Good Resources.

  48. Rosie Says:

    Thank you for sharing your post, that's so nice and interesting. I learn a lot from your ideas and the way you arranged them. Hope to see more posts on your blog.
    outlook email login

  49. Cassandra D. Everhart Says:

    I am going to bookmark this website for future updates. appliance repair Orlando

  50. albina N muro Says:

    This is a great inspiring article.I am pretty much pleased with your good work.You put really very helpful information. Keep it up. Keep blogging. Looking to reading your next post. pay for instagram likes paypal

  51. albina N muro Says:

    I think that thanks for the valuabe information and insights you have so provided here. best instagram followers app reddit

  52. shane lee Says:

    Making a website today has become pretty easy. It only involves a bit of reading and following simple steps. Moreover, it will not take too long to create a new website from scratch. London Post

  53. Janwil Says:

    Thanks for sharing this great content. Our site

  54. Noah Rodriguez Says:

    Brilliant content! It was really interesting and informative. I'm looking forward for more. Thanks! esvrm.com

  55. Anonymous Says:

    I can find a lot of information. Thanks for sharing! https://goo.gl/maps/KpQwtNW2znJynar2A

  56. Marc Eagan Says:

    Call options trading is a powerful tool for traders who want to take advantage of the movements in a stock or other asset. An option contract gives the holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell an underlying security at a specific price before an expiration date.

    Anyway, get the best tile cleaning services in Surprise from a reliable company like https://www.tileandgroutcleaningprossurprise.com.

  57. Zub Says:

    This article discusses the importance of forward planning and buying items that are likely to increase in price over time. While this can be a good investment strategy, it is important to do research and choose items that are likely to appreciate in value instead of declining.

    So much for that, if you need business loans in Michigan, I recommend you check this reliable source: https://www.businessloansmichigan.com.

  58. RJ Dani Says:

    Always nice to see this. This is something worth reading. Come and find out more at buy sell agreement insurance

  59. Anonymous Says:

    Wow! Thank you from life insurance in colorado springs co. I love your writing voice because it's engaging and approachable.

  60. Anonymous Says:

    This is a supportive discussion. Your ideas are informative and out of the box. Thank you from our pest control in Missouri at https://www.stlexterminating.com/

  61. Emily N. Sample Says:

    Thank you for posting. All of the content should be like this one. Best regards from keynote speakers under $5000 at keynote speakers under $5000

  62. Anonymous Says:

    When it comes to property management company st louis, it's crucial to partner with a reliable company that truly values your investments. From my experience, finding a professional firm can be a game-changer. Whether you own residential or commercial properties, their expertise in handling maintenance, tenant screening, and rent collection can save you time and stress. A top-notch property management company should have a proven track record of maximizing property value and ensuring tenant satisfaction. Don't settle for subpar service—explore your options, compare reviews, and remember to look for a company with a "v"ision for success.

  63. Anonymous Says:

    Thank you for this site. I love your writing voice because it's engaging and approachable. All the best from our privacy fence company Sioux City

  64. RJ Dani Says:

    Kudos from our Medicare FMO

  65. Madame RJ Says:

    For medicarefmo.org visit us at https://medicarefmo.org/

  66. Ben Hofstadter Says:

    This is amazing. Kudos and learn more from our Medicare FMO

  67. Angel17 Says:

    This is great. Your post is so useful! stone masonry contractors San Antonio TX