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Capital at risk. All investments carry a varying degree of risk and it’s important you understand the nature of these. The value of your investments can go up or down and you may get back less than your original investment. Options are complex products and not suitable for all investors. Please review Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options prior to engaging in options trading. Fees may apply

Introduction to Options

Learn essential options terminology like calls, puts, breakeven, and more. Understand how options work and how to calculate breakeven points for potentially profitable trades. Get insights on using calls and puts for potential gains and potentially protecting against losses in the stock market. Be mindful, options are considered high risk investments due to their complex nature.

Written by

Ross Lynch

Published on

2nd August 2023
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Hey Investas,

Welcome to the blog! We will be posting educational content around stocks and options aimed to help increase knowledge and awareness of the products. Join our community and keep up to date with the latest content by signing up to our waitlist.


To kick off we thought about discussing some of the key terms used when investing in options. If you’ve explored options before, there’s a high chance you have heard the below terms. If you’re new, this is a great starting point!

Be mindful, options are considered high risk investments due to their complex nature.

Option - A financial contract which gives the owner the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell a specific asset at an agreed price, before or on an agreed date



Underlying Asset - Where the value of the option is derived from
e.g. a share in Apple


Underlying Asset Price - The current market price of the Underlying Asset
e.g. the current price of an Apple share is $171.00


Strike Price - The price at which the Underlying Asset can be bought or sold once the contract is Exercised
e.g. $175.00


Exercise - Using the right to buy or sell the Underlying Asset at the Strike Price before or on the Expiration Date


Expiration Date - The final date the contract is valid
e.g. 16th June 2023

Premium - The current market value of the option contract and the amount the buyer pays the seller for the rights of the contract
e.g. $2.67


Breakeven - The price the Underlying Asset must reach at expiration for the contract holder to avoid a loss:

Calls = Strike Price + Premium paid
e.g. $177.67

Puts = Strike Price - Premium paid
e.g. $172.33 


Multiplier - Stock options have a multiplier meaning each contract represents a specific amount of shares
e.g Apple options have a 100x Multiplier, representing 100 shares

$2.67 Premium x 100 Multiplier = $267.00 total Premium for 1 contract. This would give the holder the right but not the obligation to buy or sell 100 shares of the Underlying Asset


Out the money (OTM)

Calls - Strike Price is above the Underlying Asset Price
Puts - Strike Price is below the Underlying Asset Price


At the money (ATM)

Calls & Puts - Strike Price is equal to the Underlying Asset Price

In the money (ITM) -

Calls - Strike Price is below the Underlying Asset price
Puts - Strike Price is above the Underlying Asset price

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