Normally options traders look at the put to call ratio, stock fundamentals, or technical price patterns of the stocks whose options they trade. However, year end options trading also needs to take into consideration the tax calendar as well. When tax laws change investors may buy or sell stock in large quantities in order to take advantage. Portfolio managers (we mentioned those guys) like to show nice year end profits and may sell winning stocks and hold cash at year end in order to avoid unexpected market variations that could tarnish their performance. In an uncertain year end market traders may use strategies such as a long straddle in order to lock in profits no matter which way the market moves. Nothing in life is absolutely certain except death and taxes but the odds are usually pretty good that there will be profitable year end options trading for those who do their homework and watch the markets closely.

We are coming off of a very volatile year. Some have lost money and some have gained. Those who have lost may choose to sell stock and use their losses for tax purposes. As with the money manager scenario we mentioned above the sale of sufficiently large blocks of stock can drive prices, in this case down. Throughout the year we have written about Netflix options, buying calls on Caterpillar, puts on LinkedIn and more. Anyone who has traded options on these stocks or simply done a bit of research and followed up will be aware of which stocks and which options have been active. Having done a bit or prior research will help the options trader pick the right stocks for year end options trading. Then the job of the options trader is to update his research and be ready to buy or sell calls or puts depending upon the results. As always we are not suggesting that one trade the stocks or options on the stocks listed but rather that they use the thoughts and information here to develop a profitable strategy for year end options trading or trading throughout the year.

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What you ought to be realizing about trading options however, is that there are many benefits that one gets from it. And provided you are smart in handling your trades and with using the proper strategies, you may be capable of avoid liabilities from actually materializing.

Economical

One thing about stock options is that they are well effective at leveraging or borrowing funds to increase proceeds. It can be very feasible for an investor to acquire option positions that mimic stock positions without going overboard with the cost. A strategy referred to as a stock replacement, allows imitating stocks doable but in a cost cost-effective way.

For instance, for you to manage to buy 200 shares of a $50 stock, you have to pay $10,000. But if you were going to purchase a few $20 stock options, with the options representing 100 shares each, you would then only have to outlay $4,000 rather than $10,000. As an investor, you’d manage to gain $6,000 for you to easy use at your discretion.

Naturally, the entire procedure is probably not as instant and as easy as the illustration provided. But if you are in a position to choose the proper stock option for the process, you then could be successful in your attempts in this strategy.

High Potential Returns

An additional truth about stock options is you could actually spend less money, but still make almost an identical profit. Therefore, you can surely expect to gain a greater percentage of returns as versus normal stock trading. Obviously, this would mean you could actually earn so much more and your investment can really pay off.

More Investment Choices Can be found

Another great benefit in trading options is the fact that they could offer more ideal opportunities for investment as when held up against traditional stocks. Because options are very versatile, there are usually many ways to utilize them.

Keep in mind that options are actually the rights to trading a specific stock, and so there may be numerous ways that an investor can use these rights to aide him or herself.

The usage of these options allow an individual to trade not only through stock movements, but by way of the passage of time and unpredictability in the market at the same time. And this is very beneficial because most stocks seldom move drastically. Options strategically provide choices for a trader to do business in each type of market.

These are just a few of the huge advantages of trading stock options, but as we discussed, they are enough reason to inform you that going into this kind of market can really be beneficial. Aided by the low costs, direct access to stock options through the web, and with such benefits available, it’s understandable why stock options trading have become a part of the financial circles recently.

Knowing the difference between these two would not only save you on making serious trading mistakes, but perhaps, you can be guided on making a smart business decision on which particular trade you would actually want to make your investments.

Stocks Versus Stock Options

By definition, stocks are actually shares of a particular company that can be traded through the act of buying or selling by an investor. If you happen to own a particular stock from a company, you are entitled to certain rights, which may include a profit share from earnings. You may also have the liberty to sell your share of stock if you no longer desire it.

A stock option on the other hand, is not the stock or share of the company itself, but it is actually the rights for a certain stock. It actually allows you to buy and sell company stock at a set price in a certain time period. However, you do not gain the profits from the company itself.

Take note that in doing transactions for stock options, there will always be a buyer and a seller, and this may not always hold true when compared to stocks. When you sell stock options, you are actually creating a certain degree of security for the company as well as for yourself. In this way, the parties involved can make sure that money is actually made to the frequent trade that happens.

Comparing The Benefits

In comparing the benefits of trading stocks and stock options, many experts would claim that stock options might be a promising gamble for companies and individuals, especially if you have adequate experience in the trading game and can substantially use very good strategies to survive. However, the same results might not be expected if you are only a beginner.

What makes a lot of experts prefer options trading is usually because in this particular trade, no matter what would happen to the underlying security, an option buyer cannot lose to more than that of the initial price paid for the rights. Therefore in trading options, there are fewer risks involved on the part of the buyer, especially when it comes to the possibility of losing a lot of money. And it may even give promises of profitable gains.

But on the other hand, the seller may experience greater risks.  There may be a possibility that one has to deliver or take deliveries of the stock shares. Unless the option is actually covered by a different option, then the seller may end up losing much more than the stock option’s original price.

And so, if you are not well skilled and knowledgeable about how you can prevent severe losses, then the best way for you to play the stocks trading game is to stick with the more traditional trading of stocks as this can be easier.

However, if you do believe that you can manage then options trading may give you many promising positive results. Just make sure that you take the time to understand concepts and strategies behind stock options before you actually start trading.