Trading options on futures contracts refers to options where the underlying is a futures contract. Instead of entering a futures trade directly, participants deal in an option that is linked to that futures position.
These options still follow the familiar call and put format. The key point is that the contract is linked to a futures instrument, not a stock or index traded in the cash segment.
If the option is exercised, it results in a futures position as defined by exchange rules. Pricing usually reflects the futures value, time remaining, and overall market conditions during trading hours.
Options on futures contracts are listed on recognised exchanges and operate within predefined contract and regulatory frameworks in India.
Difference Between Futures and Options
Before we get into details of trading options and what is future option trading, let’s first understand what future contracts are. Future contracts are entered into by parties who agree on buying and selling assets at a future delivery date but at a predetermined price. This is done to secure a stable position against adverse price changes in future.
Trading options on futures contracts creates a right for the parties to buy or sell the underlying asset but not an obligation. This means that the parties are at liberty to decide whether they want to buy/sell or not.
Now remember that although both futures and options deal with trades that are to be executed in future at a predetermined price rate, there are certain differences that you must understand:
A future contract creates a legally binding obligation, just like any other contract and agreement. Under a futures contract, the parties agree to buy and sell securities or assets in future (specific delivery date) but at a predetermined price. Since this creates an obligation, at the time of delivery, the buyer must purchase, and the seller must sell according to the agreements of the contract.
Options contracts are also entered into to buy and sell securities in the future at a predetermined price, but this does not create an obligation on the parties. Option contracts are not binding; therefore, the parties are at liberty to honour or dishonour the contract.
While dealing with trading options on futures contracts, you must keep in mind that there are two types of options:
What Are Trading Options on Futures Contracts?
Trading options on futures contracts refers to options where the underlying asset is a futures contract. Instead of directly buying or selling futures, participants trade the right connected to that futures position.
These options follow the standard call and put structure. A call gives the right to take a long futures position, while a put gives the right to take a short futures position, subject to contract terms.
The value of such options depends largely on the price of the underlying futures contract. Time left before expiry and general market conditions also influence pricing during trading hours.
If exercised, the option converts into a futures position as defined by exchange rules. All contracts are standardised and traded on recognised exchanges under regulatory oversight in India.
Benefits of Trading Futures Options
Trading futures options have become widely popular amongst market participants because of its benefits in terms of market leverage and flexibility to execute the trade to expand profits. Let’s take a detailed look at the benefits of trading futures options:
One of the key benefits of trading futures options is that it allows you to hold a larger position in the market without having to make a big investment.
management
Trading future options has a wider window to make a profit depending on different market conditions.
Trading futures options is a reliable hedging strategy to manage risk by creating a stable position against adverse price changes in future. By hedging against price movements of the underlying futures contracts, investors are assured of a secured position against drastic price changes.
Since trading future options comes with an option to choose whether to honour the contract or not, the risk of facing a severe loss is limited. Additionally, since trading options does not create any obligation, the loss for buyers of options is limited only to the premium paid for the option.
Example of Trading Options on Futures Contracts
Now that you have a fair understanding of what trading options on future contracts are, let's take an example to see how trading options on futures contracts facilitate risk control with a large cap on profit potential.
Comparing outcomes of a future contract with a call option for nifty futures will help you understand the potential better.
Assume a Nifty Index at 18,000 and a futures price at 18,100. The option premium for this is ₹100 and a lot size of 4, amounting to a total of 100 quantities.
Here’s the detail of future contracts:
Future Price: 18,1000
Margin Requirement: ₹90,000
Notional Value: ₹18,00,000
Now with these specifics, if the Nifty comes up to 18,5000, then, the change in future prices will be: 18,500 - 18,1000= 400
Premium on Options Pais- ₹100
Therefore, the total profit you have made is 400* ₹100= ₹40,000.
With the same specifics, if the Nifty goes down to 17,800, then the change in future prices will be as follows: 17,800 - 18,1000= -300.
Premium on Options Paid= 100
Total loss= 300 * ₹100= ₹30,000.
Now let’s take an example of choosing options for futures:
Premium- ₹100
Contract Size- 75
Total Premium- 100*75= ₹7,500 (Margin Requirement).
Now if the Nifty rises to 18,500 then:
Intrinsic Value of Option: 18,500-18,200= 300
Premium: ₹100
Total Value of Option: 300* ₹100= ₹30,000
Profit: Total Value Of Option- Premium Paid= ₹30,000-₹7,500= ₹22,500.
Now, if the Nifty falls to 17,800, then
Intrinsic Value of Call Option: 17,800-18,200= -400 (options will expire worthless)
The final Loss would be ₹7,500
It is evident from the above-discussed example that choosing options for futures allows you to start even with a limited investment that is just a premium you have to pay while gaining the same exposure as future contracts. Additionally, while the profit margin is relatively lower than that of future contracts, the loss is also limited, thus promising a stable position.
Common Futures Options Strategies
Just like any other trading, futures options trading also requires you to build some strategies to make the most out of market conditions. If you are a beginner, you can rely on some of the common strategies for trading future options:
The covered call is considered a smart strategy to reduce the cost of holding an underlying asset in situations when the value of an underlying asset is not moving for a long time. Through this strategy, you can sell higher call options to earn premiums, thus reducing the cost of holding the underlying asset.
Straddle and strangle are common future options strategies. The straddle strategy comes with two options: One is where you create a long straddle position by purchasing a call, and a put option of the same strike price and expiration date, or a short saddle is created by selling a call on a put option. On the other hand, the strangle strategy is used by buying or selling underlying assets with different price rates but the same maturity period.
Protective put is one of the most common strategies that helps you create a stable position even in a volatile market. Let’s take a simple example where you have purchased a stock for the long term, but due to various factors, the value of the stock is predicted to be weak. No,w instead of exiting the stock, you hold on to your cash market position and, at the same time purchase a lower put option. This helps in two ways:
You continue to enjoy benefits through the put option
Even when there is a downside, the risk is limited simply to the premiums paid for a put option.
College strategy is used by combining a protective put strategy and a covered coal strategy. In this strategy, you purchase a stock for the long run then you buy a lower put option and sell a higher call option.
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