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American Option

American options are a type of derivative contracts that give the holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell an underlying asset at a predetermined price within a set period of time. They are a type of stock option, also referred to as an “American style” option, which means that the holder has the ability to exercise the option at any time prior to, or on, the expiration date. In contrast, European-style options can only be exercised at the expiration date.

American options give investors the flexibility to make their own decisions regarding when to exercise the option. This ability allows investors to take a short-term position, and to sell the option or exercise it at a time that is profitable for them. Investors can use American options to speculate on the potential direction of the stock market or take a position in a company that is expected to pay a dividend on its shares. Investors also have the ability to close out their positions prior to expiration if the stock is trading unprofitably.

The benefit of an American option is that it can be exercised at any point up until the expiration date, either for a gain or for a loss. This gives the investor flexibility in managing their portfolios and can provide opportunities for increased profits. In particular, American options can be advantageous for investors with a short-term trading strategy.

To summarize, American options are a type of derivatives contracts that grant the holder the right to buy or sell an underlying asset at a predetermined price up until the expiration date. They provide investors with greater flexibility and the ability to unlock additional profits. For investors who practice a short-term trading strategy, American options are an ideal investment vehicle.

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