Option Trading Tips For Complete Beginners | Kotak Securities (2024)

Key Highlights

  • Avoid options with low liquidity; verify volume at specific strike prices.

  • calls grant the right to buy, while puts grant the right to sell an asset before expiration.

  • Utilise different strategies based on market conditions; explore various options trading approaches.

Understanding Options Trading

It's important to bear in mind that every option transaction involves two parties: a buyer and a seller. Consequently, for each call or put option acquisition, there is always a counterpart involved in selling it. The dynamics of trading options resemble the betting scenario at a racetrack, where pari-mutuel betting is employed. In this system, each individual places bets against all other participants, with the track taking a small cut for facilitating the process. Similarly, trading options operates as a zero-sum game, analogous to the horse track. The gain of the option buyer corresponds to the loss of the option seller, and vice versa. The payoff diagram for an option purchase mirrors the seller's payoff diagram.

Now, let's get into the rights of an options buyer and the obligations of an options seller.Suppose the stock 'XYZ' is trading at 920 levels in the cash market segment, and the premium for the 940 call option is `18 (with a lot size of 500). In a bullish stance on XYZ, 'A' opts to buy the 940 call, while 'B,' adopting a pessimistic outlook, writes the 940 call option. Consequently, 'A' pays 9000 (18 * 500), and 'B' receives the same amount for writing the option.

The Best 4 Option Trading Tips Recommended for New Traders

Options should be considered an extension of stocks, providing flexibility in situations where traders are uncertain about holding or selling a security. Unlike stock trading, which is limited to bullish exposure by buying stocks or bearish exposure by shorting stocks, options offer the ability to bet long or short with reduced overall risk and capital expenditure. These advantages are just a fraction of what options trading adds to a trader's toolbox, allowing them to express investment ideas more diversely.

When executed correctly, options strategies can tilt the odds in your favour, providing a probability of profit exceeding 50%. Unlike stock trades, these strategies can actually reduce overall risk. For instance, options allow investors to profit from a stock's rise, stability, or even a slight fall, offering a critical advantage for portfolio success.

1. Unlocking Profitable OpportunitiesOptions trading thrives on market volatility, providing investors with opportunities amid fear and greed. Skillful use of options allows for capitalising on these situations, making it a valuable strategy for long-term success.

2. Enhancing PortfoliosManaging Risk and Adding Income with Options Options offer a unique avenue to manage risk and add income, going beyond the capabilities of stock trading alone. Success in options trading involves attention to the right settings for consistent portfolio benefits, aligning with specific goals such as steady growth, income, or short-term gains.

3. PatiencePatience is crucial for options traders. Waiting for the right opportunities is comparable to a batter waiting for the perfect pitch. Acting recklessly without a game plan can lead to mistakes. Recognizing the difference between good and bad deals and trading smarter can significantly impact success.

4. Strategic ExitPlanning the exit is a critical aspect of options trading. It goes beyond minimising losses; it involves having a predetermined exit plan and timeframe, considering both upward and downward exits. Timing is crucial, especially as the expiration date approaches, requiring traders to exit if the expected move does not occur within the anticipated time frame.

Conclusion

There is a widespread misunderstanding that options are complex and high-risk. In reality, options simply provide a means to engage with stocks in different ways. While some may perceive options as difficult to grasp, having a grasp of a few fundamental concepts makes them highly valuable and easily understandable. Anyone can acquire the knowledge to trade options with confidence.

FAQs on Option Trading Tips For Complete Beginners

No, options are suitable for beginners too. With a basic understanding of the concepts, beginners can confidently engage in option trading.

While options can be risky if not used properly, they also offer risk management tools. With the right strategies, traders can control and limit their risks.

Yes, options can be traded with a relatively small amount of capital. This makes them accessible to a wide range of investors.

Common mistakes include not having a clear strategy, neglecting risk management, and trading without sufficient knowledge.

Regular monitoring is advisable, especially as expiration dates approach. However, options also allow for more hands-off strategies, depending on the individual's trading goals and preferences.

Option Trading Tips For Complete Beginners | Kotak Securities (2024)

FAQs

How should a beginner start options trading? ›

You can get started trading options by opening an account, choosing to buy or sell puts or calls, and choosing an appropriate strike price and timeframe. Generally speaking, call buyers and put sellers profit when the underlying stock rises in value. Put buyers and call sellers profit when it falls.

Which option strategy is best for beginners? ›

5 options trading strategies for beginners
  1. Long call. In this option trading strategy, the trader buys a call — referred to as “going long” a call — and expects the stock price to exceed the strike price by expiration. ...
  2. Covered call. ...
  3. Long put. ...
  4. Short put. ...
  5. Married put.
Mar 28, 2024

What is the trick for option trading? ›

Avoid options with low liquidity; verify volume at specific strike prices. calls grant the right to buy, while puts grant the right to sell an asset before expiration. Utilise different strategies based on market conditions; explore various options trading approaches.

What is the most consistently profitable option strategy? ›

The most successful options strategy for consistent income generation is the covered call strategy. An investor sells call options against shares of a stock already owned in their portfolio with covered calls. This allows them to collect premium income while holding the underlying investment.

Can you start trading options with $100? ›

Yes, you can technically start trading with $100 but it depends on what you are trying to trade and the strategy you are employing. Depending on that, brokerages may ask for a minimum deposit in your account that could be higher than $100. But for all intents and purposes, yes, you can start trading with $100.

What is the simplest option trade? ›

The simplest options position is a long call (or put) by itself. This position profits if the price of the underlying rises (falls), and your downside is limited to the loss of the option premium spent. If you simultaneously buy a call and put option with the same strike and expiration, you've created a straddle.

Which type of trading is most profitable for beginners? ›

The defining feature of day trading is that traders do not hold positions overnight; instead, they seek to profit from short-term price movements occurring during the trading session.It can be considered one of the most profitable trading methods available to investors.

What is the 3:30 formula in option trading? ›

The 3-30 rule in the stock market suggests that a stock's price tends to move in cycles, with the first 3 days after a major event often showing the most significant price change. Then, there's usually a period of around 30 days where the stock's price stabilizes or corrects before potentially starting a new cycle.

What is the simplest most profitable trading strategy? ›

One of the simplest and most widely known fundamental strategies is value investing. This strategy involves identifying undervalued assets based on their intrinsic value and holding onto them until the market recognizes their true worth.

How do you never lose in option trading? ›

The option sellers stand a greater risk of losses when there is heavy movement in the market. So, if you have sold options, then always try to hedge your position to avoid such losses. For example, if you have sold at the money calls/puts, then try to buy far out of the money calls/puts to hedge your position.

What not to do when trading options? ›

If you want to trade options, be sure to avoid these common mistakes.
  1. Not having a trading strategy. ...
  2. Lack of diversification. ...
  3. Lack of discipline. ...
  4. Using margin to buy options. ...
  5. Focusing on illiquid options. ...
  6. Failing to understand technical indicators. ...
  7. Not accounting for volatility. ...
  8. Bottom line.
Feb 5, 2024

Why do people fail in option trading? ›

Lack of a clear strategy: Options trading requires a well-defined strategy. If options buyers do not have a clear plan, exit strategy or risk management in place, they may make impulsive decisions that lead to losses.

What are the 4 options strategies? ›

Covered calls, collars, and married puts are among the options for those who are already invested in the underlying asset, while straddles and strangles can be used to establish a position when the market is on the move. Charles Schwab. "Options Strategies: Covered Calls & Covered Puts."

What is the most secure option strategy? ›

The safest option strategy is one that involves limited risk, such as buying protective puts or employing conservative covered call writing.

How to master options trading? ›

10 Traits of a Successful Options Trader
  1. Be Able to Manage Risk. Options are high-risk instruments, and it is important for traders to recognize how much risk they have at any point in time. ...
  2. Be Good With Numbers. ...
  3. Have Discipline. ...
  4. Be Patient. ...
  5. Develop a Trading Style. ...
  6. Interpret the News. ...
  7. Be an Active Learner. ...
  8. Be Flexible.

How much money do I need to start options trading? ›

How Much Money Do You Need to Trade Options? Broker requirements can vary from zero to a few thousand dollars. Most brokers require account sizes of $2,000 or less. However, trading an option account with only a few hundred dollars is not prudent.

Can I start trading options with $500? ›

Yes, you can trade options for only $500, but it is important to note that options trading involves significant risks and may not be suitable for everyone. Online brokers like Robinhood and TD Ameritrade offer commission-free options trading and allow you to start trading with no minimum deposit.

How much do beginner options traders make? ›

How much money can you make trading options? It's realistic to make anywhere between 10% – $50% or more per trade. If you have at least $10,000 or more in an account, you could make $250 – $1,000 or more trading them. It's important to manage your risk properly by trading them.

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