Option Trading

When you trade options, you're essentially placing a bet on if a stock will decrease, increase or remain the same in value; how much it will deviate from its current price; and in what time those changes will occur. Based on those parameters, you can choose to enter into a contract to buy or sell a company's stock.

Options are highly sensitive to market volatility. Significant price swings can lead to substantial gains or losses. A trader might buy a put option expecting a stock to drop. If the stock instead surges in price due to unforeseen events, the value of the put option plummets.