What is a Forex option? – Benzinga

Forex options are a unique tool that can offer traders a way to protect themselves while potentially making a profit. However, if you are new to forex trading, forex options may seem Greek to you.

In this article, Benzinga breaks down forex options to make them easier to understand. Find out how options work, the different types and how you can apply them in the forex market.

Forex options are financial derivative contracts that give the holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell a specified amount of a foreign currency at a predetermined price, called the strike price, before or at a specific expiration date.

Forex options mainly come in two variations: call options and put options. A call option gives its holder the right to buy a currency pair at a specified price at expiration. On the other hand, a put option gives its holder the right to sell a currency pair at a specific price at expiration. Traders use these options to hedge against potential currency risks, secure profits, or speculate on market movements.

• Call: A call option gives its holder the right (but not the obligation) to buy a certain amount of a specific currency at a fixed price (the strike price) within a certain period of time. If the trader thinks the price of the currency will rise before the option expires, he can buy a call option to potentially profit from this early rise.
• Put: A put option gives its holder the right, not the obligation, to sell a specified amount of a currency at a predetermined price within a specified time. Traders buy put options when they expect the price of the currency to fall before the option’s expiration date, potentially allowing them to profit from the decline.
• To hit: The strike price (or strike price) is the predetermined price at which the holder of an option can buy (in the case of a call option) or sell (in the case of a put option) the underlying currency when the option is exercised. This is the price the trader is betting the currency will reach before the option expires.

Forex options come in different types, each with its unique purpose and catering to a range of trader requirements.

• Exchange Traded Options: These are standardized contracts, traded on regulated exchanges. The exchange itself serves as a counterparty for both buyer and seller, providing a level of security. Since these contracts are standardized, they come with specified quantities, expiration dates, and strike prices. Exchange-traded options offer the advantage of transparency, liquidity, and regulatory oversight.
• Over-the-counter (OTC) options: OTC options are not traded on a formal exchange but are instead traded directly between two parties. These options are customizable, allowing traders to tailor contract terms (such as strike price and expiration date) to suit their specific needs. While this customization offers more flexibility, it also introduces counterparty risk since there is no central exchange to guarantee transactions.
• MTF listed options: MTF or Multilateral Trading Facility is a European term for an electronic trading system that facilitates the trading of financial instruments. MTF-listed options are traded on these platforms, providing a middle ground between exchange-traded options and OTC options. They provide a regulated and transparent trading environment like exchange-traded options while allowing for a certain level of customization typically seen in OTC options. This hybrid approach offers several benefits to traders, including lower transaction costs and more transparency and liquidity.

Forex options trading offers many benefits, including:

• Flexibility: Forex options allow traders to customize contracts based on their investment objectives, risk tolerance and market forecast. You can choose the currency pair, strike price and expiry date that suits your needs.
• Risk management: Options can be used to hedge against potential losses in forex trading. With a put option, you can limit the risk of a currency falling in value. Similarly, with a call option, you can hedge against the risk of a currency rising in value.
• Profit potential: Forex options offer opportunities to profit from rising and falling markets depending on whether you are buying a call or a put option.
• Limited risk: Forex options limit the maximum risk to the premium paid to buy the option. Even if the market moves against your bet, the maximum you lose is the option premium.

Like any financial instrument, forex options also involve risks. These include:

• Market volatility: Exchange rates can fluctuate dramatically over short periods of time, which can render an option worthless if the market does not move as expected.
• Complexity: A misunderstanding of the complex mechanics of options contracts can lead to losses, especially for beginners.
• Time sensitivity: Options have an expiration date, after which they become worthless if not exercised. But it can be difficult to forecast the right timing for market movements.
• Counterparty risk: Especially in OTC options, there is a risk that the counterparty (the other party involved in the contract) will not fulfill its obligations.
• Cost: While the maximum risk is limited to the premium paid for the option, these premiums can be high, especially for options with longer terms.
• Liquidity risk: Less popular currency pairs or longer dated options may lack liquidity, making it difficult to enter or exit positions at the desired price.
• Risk of loss: If the market does not move as expected, you may lose the premium you paid for the option. If you run out of options, you may be assigned an obligation to abide by the terms of the option contract.

Depending on your risk tolerance and investment goals, here are three widely used strategies you can use.

A covered call strategy involves owning the underlying currency and simultaneously selling a call option on that currency. This strategy allows you to earn income from the premiums collected when selling the call option. You will win if the currency stays below the strike price of the sold option. However, if the currency exceeds the strike price, the option will be exercised and your profit will be capped at the strike price minus the premium received.

This strategy is generally used when a trader expects a moderate rise in the price of the underlying currency. It involves buying a call option with a lower strike price and selling another call option with a higher strike price on the same currency and with the same expiration date. The income from selling the call with the higher strike price helps offset the cost of buying the call with the lower strike price, thereby reducing the investment. Profits are realized when the price of the currency exceeds the strike price of the bought call, but is capped when it reaches the strike price of the sold call.

A married put strategy involves buying the underlying currency and, at the same time, buying a put option to hedge against a potential decline in the price of the currency. This strategy is similar to buying insurance for investment. If the price of the currency falls, the value of the put option increases, helping to offset the loss on the currency. If the price of the currency increases, the put option will probably expire worthless, but the trader profits from the increase in the price of the currency. This is a defensive strategy, offering downside protection while leaving room for upside potential.

Choosing a reliable forex broker for options trading is key to effectively executing your trading strategies and ensuring a seamless trading experience. The comparison chart below features several top-rated forex brokers known for their excellent options trading platforms, diverse offerings, and strong customer support.

Forex options offer a unique blend of flexibility, risk management and potential profitability. Different types of options and strategies cater to specific trading views. Understanding the concepts of call and put options, and their associated strike prices, is essential if you plan to trade forex options.