What is a Put Option?

A put option is a financial contract that gives the holder the right, but not the obligation, to sell an underlying asset at a specified price, known as the strike price, within a specified time period. Put options are used as a form of hedging or speculative investment, and are often used to protect against potential losses or to bet on a decline in the price of an underlying asset.

In simple terms, a put option acts like an insurance policy for the holder of the option. If the price of the underlying asset decreases, the holder can exercise the option to sell the asset at the agreed-upon strike price, thus avoiding the loss they would have incurred if they had held the asset. On the other hand, if the price of the underlying asset increases, the holder can choose not to exercise the option, allowing them to take advantage of the increase in price.

Put options are often used by investors to hedge against market volatility, especially in cases where they have a large exposure to a particular asset or market. For example, if an investor owns a large number of shares in a stock and fears that the price of the stock may decline, they can purchase put options to protect against potential losses.

Put options can also be used as a speculative investment, where the holder believes that the price of the underlying asset will decline. In this case, the holder will purchase put options with the hope of selling the underlying asset at a higher price than the current market price. If the price of the underlying asset does decline, the holder can exercise the option and sell the asset at the agreed-upon strike price, making a profit.

Simplified Example

A put option can be compared to buying a "rainy day insurance" for your yard. Just like how you buy insurance to protect your things, a put option allows you to protect your investment.

Imagine you have a yard that you really like and you don't want anything to happen to it, especially if it rains. So, you buy a "rainy day insurance" for your yard. This insurance will give you money back if it rains and something happens to your yard. This is similar to a put option. A put option allows you to sell an investment, such as a stock, at a certain price even if the price goes down.

So, just like how you buy a "rainy day insurance" for your yard, a put option allows you to protect your investment. And, just like how the insurance will give you money back if it rains and something happens to your yard, a put option will allow you to sell your investment at a certain price even if the price goes down.

History of the Term "Put Option"

The concept of options contracts, including puts, has ancient roots dating back to Greece and Rome, but the specific term "put option" likely emerged in the 17th century within the context of commodity trading. Initially describing the action of "putting up" a commodity for sale at a predetermined price, the term gained more formal recognition by the 18th century as it started appearing in financial documents and trading manuals. With the evolution of organized exchanges and the financial markets, "put option" became a widely embraced term among traders and investors. Standardized definitions and regulations were subsequently developed, solidifying the term's meaning and application. The Black-Scholes model, a mathematical formula for pricing options, played a pivotal role in legitimizing and popularizing the term "put option" within financial analysis and investment strategies.

Examples

Protective Put Option: John is an investor who owns shares of XYZ company. He believes that the stock price may drop in the near future due to market volatility. To protect himself from the potential loss, John buys a put option for the same number of shares he owns. The strike price of the put option is set at the current market price, meaning that if the stock price drops below the strike price, John can sell his shares at the higher strike price, limiting his losses.

Speculative Put Option: Sarah is an investor who believes that the stock price of ABC company will decrease in the near future. Instead of short selling the stock, which can be risky, she decides to buy a put option. The strike price is set at a price lower than the current market price, meaning that if the stock price drops below the strike price, Sarah can sell the stock at the higher strike price and make a profit.

Hedged Put Option: Tom is an investor who owns a portfolio of stocks, including shares of DEF company. He is concerned about a potential market downturn and wants to protect his portfolio. To do so, Tom buys a put option on an index that tracks the overall stock market, such as the S&P 500. If the market decreases, Tom can exercise his put option, effectively selling the index at the higher strike price and limiting his losses on his stock portfolio.

Related Terms

• Hedge Contract: A financial instrument used by investors to reduce their exposure to market risk.

• Volatility: A measure of the amount of uncertainty associated with the size of changes in a financial market.