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Monday, October 12, 2009

Currency Option Trading - The Low Down

By Frank LeCoutier

Currency option trading is a way to trade the moves in the currency market with a reduced exposure to risk. Rather than buying or selling an actual currency, the option trader can purchase a call or a put on it. If he/she believes the price will move higher they can purchase a call giving them the right to buy(call) the currency at the stated strike price. This right exists for only a specified time frame. If the market price is higher than the strike price the currency can be sold right away in the market at a profit. If the trader feels the currency price is too high he/she can buy a put on it. They then have the right to sell the currency at the stated strike price. If the market price is lower within the time frame that the option is active the currency is purchased lower in the market and sold(put) at the option strike price.

The traditional option is one type of contract available to traders. In situation the trader selects a strike price and the expiration date for the contract. They then receive the amount of the premium(cost)from the broker. If it is acceptable the trader selects the number of calls or puts to purchase and places the order. An example of a trade would be if the trader believes that the dollar will advance against the Japanese yen. He/She would buy a call on the USD/JPY. If the dollar does advance against the yen the option is exercised, and the dollar is purchased at the strike price and immediately sold at a profit in the market. This strategy exposes the trader to far less risk.

The most popular type of contract for speculators is the SPOT contract. Actual currencies do not need to be purchased or sold to realize a profit. If the option trade is successful the profits from it are simply deposited in your account. The maximum lose that can be realized if the trade does not work is the amount of the premium paid.

The amount the broker charges for the option is the premium level. Several things will affect the premium level. The strike price is one of them. The closer it is to the market price the higher the premium will be. The more time until expiration the higher the premium. Highly volatile currencies will likely have higher option premiums.

One reason people get involved in currency option trading is simply to speculate on the price movements of the currency. These people are solely profit driven. This is the largest part of the market.

Another use of currency option trading is for the purpose of hedging a portfolio. If a person is long the actual currency they may purchase puts in order to minimize the risk of price fluctuations while the hold the currency. People who do business international may use this strategy as a protective measure.

Selling options short is another strategy that some traders engage in. It is a higher risk than simply buying calls and puts. Because of the level of added risk, loses are not limited, large security deposits are usually required.

Currency option trading can be a hugely profitable experience if your predictions are correct because premiums are lower than deposits for the actual currencies. The time frame restraint is a challenge though. If your learn to make accurate calls on price movement however, you can make large profits. - 23212

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