Hedging is an important part of any investment strategy. When used properly, it can help reduce the risk associated with other forms of investment. However, many people don’t know how to properly hedge their bets, which can lead to excessive risk and loss.
Define The Hedge
The first and most important step to properly using hedging is to clearly define what you mean by the term. In a nutshell, hedging is a method of reducing the risk associated with a certain investment or purchase by simultaneously investing in a derivative of the same currency. For example, if you’re investing in the German DAX index, you might want to buy a put option with a slightly higher strike price (as an insurance policy) in case the index drops in value.
The Advantage Of Using Derivatives
The main advantage of using derivatives is that they’re highly customizable. This means you can adjust the hedging strategy to suit your needs. For instance, you might want to use a covered call option to protect a certain amount of equity in your portfolio. You can also choose which types of derivative to use based on your specific situation. There are three basic types of derivatives available for investors to choose from:
- Option
- Put
- Call
Each one of these options has its unique advantages and disadvantages. For a more in depth explanation of the differences between them, check out this informative guide by Investopedia. Alternatively, you can download a copy of the Interactive Brokers glossary here.
How To Properly Use Call Options
The call option gives the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to buy an underlying asset (such as a stock) at a certain price by a certain date. It’s often described as a “bet” on the price of the stock going up. For example, you might want to buy a call option on J.P. Morgan Chase (JPM) to protect a portion of your investment in the bank. One of the main disadvantages of call options is that they’re highly leveraged. This means you need to commit a substantial amount of capital in order to exercise the option. If you’re not comfortable committing that kind of cash up front, you might not be able to enter into the contract at all. In other words, you’re essentially throwing away the option because you can’t afford to exercise it at the price quoted at the time of purchase.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Using Put Options
The put option gives the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to sell an underlying asset (such as a stock) at a certain price by a certain date. It’s often described as a “bet” on the price of the stock going down. As the name would suggest, the main advantage of a put option is that it puts the onus of finding a buyer on the shoulders of the option writer. This means you don’t need to worry about whether or not someone is going to want to buy your stock at a certain price. One of the main disadvantages of put options is that they can be expensive to purchase. This is mainly because there’s a limit to the amount of currency that can be borrowed to cover the cost of the option. If you want to buy a put option on oil futures, for example, you’ll need cash on hand.
The Disadvantages Of Hedging Without Regard To Timing
Although it might be tempting to use hedging as a way of protecting your investment regardless of the direction the market is heading, there’s no denying that timing is critical to successful hedging. This is mainly because the odds of finding a good deal (i.e. a stock whose price has dropped enough to make up for the cost of buying the option) don’t exist. For example, if you want to lock in some profit from a purchase you made several months ago at a relatively high price, you’ll have to resort to some form of replication or scalping. Both of these methods entail additional cost and risk.
Understand The Different Types Of Risks Involved
Even if you fully understand all the advantages and disadvantages of hedging, it’s still not easy to predict which type of investment will be the best for your needs. After all, not all put options are created equal. Some options allow for greater risk than others. For instance, equity options (especially naked options) have a high degree of exposure, meaning there’s more risk than with other types of options. The good news is that with a little bit of research, you can determine which option type is best for your situation. Remember: the key to successfully using any form of hedging is to reduce the risk while profitting from up movements in the market.