Futures and Options Trading

Futures and options are the major types of stock derivatives traded in a share market. These are contracts signed by two parties for trading a stock asset at a predetermined price on a later date. Such contracts try to hedge market risks involved in stock market trading by locking in the price beforehand.Future and option trading are different in terms of obligations imposed on individuals. While futures act a liability on an investor, requiring him/her to follow up on a contract by a pre-set due date, an options contract gives an individual the right to do so.A futures contract to buy/sell underlying security has to be followed up on the predetermined date at a contractual price. On the other hand, an options contract provides a buyer with a choice to do the same, if he/she profits from a trade.