Search
Close this search box.

Table of Contents

Call Option



Definition

A call option is a financial contract that grants the purchaser the right, but not the obligation, to buy a specific asset, typically stocks or other securities, at a predetermined price (known as the strike price) within a specified period (until the expiration date). Call options are typically used by investors who anticipate a rise in the price of the underlying asset. The buyer of a call option pays a premium to the seller for the potential to capitalize on that anticipated price increase.

Phonetic

The phonetic pronunciation of “Call Option” is: kɔl ˈɒpʃən

Key Takeaways

  1. A call option gives the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to buy an underlying security at a specified price (the strike price) on or before a specific date (the expiration date).
  2. Call options are used by investors who believe that the underlying security’s price will rise, allowing them to potentially profit from the increase in the security’s value by locking in the purchase price at the lower strike price.
  3. The main components of a call option’s value are the price of the underlying security, the strike price, time to expiration, volatility of the underlying security, and interest rates. As these factors change, the call option’s value can increase or decrease.

Importance

A call option is an essential financial instrument in the world of business and finance, as it provides investors with the right, but not the obligation, to buy an underlying asset at a specified price, called the strike price, before a predetermined expiration date. Call options are crucial because they offer flexibility and leverage, allowing investors to capitalize on potential market movements and minimize risks. By granting investors the ability to control large amounts of shares without actually owning them, call options help in the diversification of portfolios and enable investors to hedge against adverse market conditions. Furthermore, trading call options creates opportunities for generating income and contributes significantly to the smooth functioning of financial markets, as well as offering key insights into future price expectations.

Explanation

Call options serve as indispensable financial instruments for both investors and traders, granting them the potential to leverage their positions and achieve substantial returns while minimizing risks. Essentially, a call option provides the option holder the right, but not the obligation, to purchase an asset at a predetermined price, referred to as the strike price, within a specified period or by a specific date called the expiration date. Various factors, including market dynamics and individual investment strategies, largely contribute to the popularity of call options. Investors may use call options to secure a favorable entry price for a future trade, while traders may explore the opportunity to profit from price fluctuations by exercising the option or trading it before expiration. The utility of call options spans diverse financial needs, including portfolio diversification, capital preservation and even income generation. Investors often utilize call options to hedge against potential downturns in other holdings, thereby distributing risk and reducing the impact of market volatility. On the other hand, traders may capitalize on call options by speculating on the direction of the asset’s future price movement, seeking to profit from favorable changes in value. Additionally, some investors even engage in writing, or selling, call options as a means to generate a steady income stream. In conclusion, call options encompass a highly adaptable and powerful tool in finance that caters to a variety of investment and trading objectives for risk management, speculation, and income generation.

Examples

1. Stock Options for Employees: Many companies offer stock options to their employees as a form of compensation, incentive, or as part of their benefits package. In this scenario, an employee holds a call option to buy a certain number of the company’s shares at a predetermined price, known as the strike price, within a specific time frame. If the market price of the stock rises above the strike price, the employee can exercise their call option to purchase the stock at the lower price and then sell it at the higher market price, if desired. 2. Covered Call Strategy: A covered call strategy is commonly used by individual investors or traders to generate additional income from their existing stock holdings. In this scenario, the investor owns a financial asset, such as shares of a company, and sells (or “writes”) a call option against those shares. By doing this, the investor receives a premium from the buyer of the call option. If the share price remains below the strike price of the call option, the option will expire worthless, and the investor keeps the premium as income. However, if the share price rises above the strike price, the investor may be required to sell their shares at the strike price to the call option buyer, potentially giving up potential gains in the process. 3. Real Estate Options: Real estate developers often use call options to secure the right to purchase a property at a predetermined price during a specific period. When a developer identifies a piece of land that has potential for a specific project they may enter into an agreement with the current landowner to buy the property at a specified price within a certain time frame. The developer will pay an option fee (similar to a premium in the stock market) for the right to purchase the land at the agreed-upon price. If the developer exercises their call option and buys the land, the option fee may be applied towards the purchase price. If they decide not to proceed with the project, the landowner keeps the option fee as income.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)

What is a Call Option?
A call option is a financial contract that grants the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to purchase an underlying asset, such as a stock, bond, or commodity, at a specified price (called the strike price) within a specific time period.
How does a Call Option work?
When an investor purchases a call option, they have the right to buy the underlying asset at the strike price any time before the option’s expiration date. If the asset’s market price rises significantly above the strike price, the investor can exercise the option to buy the asset and then sell it at the higher market price for a profit. If the asset’s price does not rise enough to be profitable, the investor can let the option expire without exercising it, limiting their loss to the premium paid.
What are the key terms associated with Call Options?
Key terms related to call options include the premium (the price the buyer pays to purchase the option), the strike price (the predetermined price at which the option can be exercised), the expiration date (the last date the option can be exercised), and the underlying asset (the financial instrument, such as a stock or bond, that the option is based on).
Are there different types of Call Options?
Yes, there are two main types of call options: American options and European options. American call options can be exercised any time before the expiration date, while European options can only be exercised on the expiration date.
What are the benefits of buying Call Options?
Call options offer investors several advantages, including leveraging their investment capital, profiting from rising asset prices, diversifying their portfolios, and the ability to hedge against potential losses in other investments.
What are the risks associated with Call Options?
Risks associated with buying call options include losing the premium paid if the option expires worthless (the underlying asset does not rise above the strike price), as well as potentially missing out on gains beyond the strike price if the asset’s market price soars and the option is not exercised.
How are Call Options bought and sold?
Call options are financial instruments that can be bought and sold through options exchanges and brokerage accounts that support options trading. Investors must first open an options trading account and usually must meet specific requirements and qualifications set by the brokerage firm.

Related Finance Terms

Sources for More Information


About Our Editorial Process

At Due, we are dedicated to providing simple money and retirement advice that can make a big impact in your life. Our team closely follows market shifts and deeply understands how to build REAL wealth. All of our articles undergo thorough editing and review by financial experts, ensuring you get reliable and credible money advice.

We partner with leading publications, such as Nasdaq, The Globe and Mail, Entrepreneur, and more, to provide insights on retirement, current markets, and more.

We also host a financial glossary of over 7000 money/investing terms to help you learn more about how to take control of your finances.

View our editorial process

About Our Journalists

Our journalists are not just trusted, certified financial advisers. They are experienced and leading influencers in the financial realm, trusted by millions to provide advice about money. We handpick the best of the best, so you get advice from real experts. Our goal is to educate and inform, NOT to be a ‘stock-picker’ or ‘market-caller.’ 

Why listen to what we have to say?

While Due does not know how to predict the market in the short-term, our team of experts DOES know how you can make smart financial decisions to plan for retirement in the long-term.

View our expert review board

About Due

Due makes it easier to retire on your terms. We give you a realistic view on exactly where you’re at financially so when you retire you know how much money you’ll get each month. Get started today.

Due Fact-Checking Standards and Processes

To ensure we’re putting out the highest content standards, we sought out the help of certified financial experts and accredited individuals to verify our advice. We also rely on them for the most up to date information and data to make sure our in-depth research has the facts right, for today… Not yesterday. Our financial expert review board allows our readers to not only trust the information they are reading but to act on it as well. Most of our authors are CFP (Certified Financial Planners) or CRPC (Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor) certified and all have college degrees. Learn more about annuities, retirement advice and take the correct steps towards financial freedom and knowing exactly where you stand today. Learn everything about our top-notch financial expert reviews below… Learn More