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Important Notice: IG Markets South Africa will no longer provide Trading Accounts. This change does not affect existing International/offshore accounts. New applications will be supported by IG International, part of IG Group, via https://www.ig.com/en. Important Notice: IG Markets South Africa will no longer provide Trading Accounts. This change does not affect existing International/offshore accounts. New applications will be supported by IG International, part of IG Group, via https://www.ig.com/en.

Equity options definition

Equity options are a form of derivative used exclusively to trade shares as the underlying asset.

In essence, equity options work in an extremely similar way to other options, such as forex or commodities. They offer the trader the right, but not the obligation, to purchase (or sell) a set amount of shares at a certain level (referred to as the ‘strike price’) before it expires. To buy an option, traders will pay a premium.

Equity option example

Let’s say that Google shares are trading at $450. You buy an option to purchase shares of Google before the end of the week at $500, and pay a premium of $25 to do so. If Google’s share value exceeds $525, then the trade is in profit, and you are free to execute the trade.

Visit our shares trading section

Equity options are just one of many derivatives that traders can use to trade shares. Find out more in our shares trading section.

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