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Economy

Mastering Futures and Options: A Guide to Starting Your Trading Journey

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futures and options

Introduction

Trading in futures and options (F&O) has become a popular way to diversify investments and hedge risks in the financial markets. With the right knowledge and strategy, anyone can start trading and leverage F&O to maximize returns. This guide will walk you through the fundamentals of business with futures and options, how to start trading, and essential strategies for success.

Understanding Futures and Options

What Are Futures?

A futures contract is a financial agreement to buy or sell an asset (stocks, commodities, or indices) at a predetermined price on a future date and to start future and option trading futures and options. Futures are standardized contracts traded on exchanges like NSE (National Stock Exchange) and BSE (Bombay Stock Exchange).

Key Features of Futures Contracts:

  • Obligatory Execution: Buyers and sellers must fulfill the contract on the expiry date.
  • Margin Trading: Traders only pay a fraction of the total contract value as a margin.
  • Leverage: Investors can take large positions with limited capital.

What Are Options?

Options give traders the right (but not the obligation) to buy or sell an asset at a specific price before or on the contract expiry date.

Types of Options:
  1. Call Options – Gives the right to buy an asset at a fixed price.
  2. Put Options – Gives the right to sell an asset at a fixed price.

Why Trade Futures and Options?

  1. Hedging Against Market Risks: Investors use F&O to hedge risks in volatile markets.
  2. High Leverage: Traders can control large positions with minimal capital.
  3. Profit in Bull and Bear Markets: Options trading allows earning from both rising and falling markets.
  4. Portfolio Diversification: F&O trading provides exposure to various asset classes.

How to Start Trading in Futures and Options

1. Open a Trading and Demat Account

To trade in F&O and how to start trading you need a Demat and trading account with a registered stockbroker.

Steps to Open an Account:

  • Choose a SEBI-registered stockbroker (e.g., Zerodha, Upstox, Angel Broking).
  • Submit KYC documents (PAN, Aadhaar, bank details, income proof).
  • Complete account verification and receive login credentials.

2. Understand Market Fundamentals

Before trading, gain knowledge about:

  • Stock Market Trends: Track nifty 50, sensex today, and India vix to understand volatility.
  • Fundamental and Technical Analysis: Learn to analyze financial reports and price charts.
  • Option Greeks (Delta, Gamma, Theta, Vega): These help in assessing option price movements.

3. Learn About Margin Requirements

Trading in F&O requires margin money, which varies based on contract size and market conditions. Stockbrokers provide margin calculators to help traders plan their positions.

4. Choose the Right Trading Strategy

Popular Futures Trading Strategies:
  1. Trend Following Strategy – Buy futures in an uptrend, sell in a downtrend.
  2. Spread Trading – Buy and sell futures contracts simultaneously to minimize risk.
  3. Scalping – Profit from small price movements by making multiple trades.
Popular Options Trading Strategies:
  1. Covered Call Strategy – Holding a stock while selling call options to earn premiums.
  2. Straddle Strategy – Buying both a call and put option to profit from high volatility.
  3. Iron Condor Strategy – Combining multiple options contracts to limit risk and enhance returns.

5. Start Trading with a Demo Account

Most stockbrokers provide paper trading accounts where beginners can practice trading without real money. This helps in understanding price movements, placing orders, and managing risk.

6. Monitor and Manage Risks

  • Stop-Loss Orders: Protect against significant losses by setting stop-loss levels.
  • Position Sizing: Avoid investing all capital in a single trade.
  • News & Events: Track financial news, RBI policies, and corporate earnings reports.

Essential Tips for Successful F&O Trading

  1. Start Small: Begin with a few contracts and increase exposure gradually.
  2. Stay Updated: Follow market news, economic indicators, and stock trends.
  3. Avoid Overtrading: Excessive trading can lead to high brokerage fees and losses.
  4. Maintain a Trading Journal: Keep records of trades to analyze mistakes and improve strategies.
  5. Use Hedging Techniques: Reduce risk by using protective puts and call options.

Conclusion

Trading in futures and options is a powerful way to maximize investment opportunities and manage risks. By understanding market trends, choosing the right strategies, and practicing risk management, traders can build a profitable trading career. If you’re new to F&O trading, start with a Demat account, practice with demo trades, and gradually scale up as you gain confidence.

With the right approach, trading in futures and options can be a lucrative business venture and a strong financial tool for long-term success.

Dipo Olowookere is a journalist based in Nigeria that has passion for reporting business news stories. At his leisure time, he watches football and supports 3SC of Ibadan. Mr Olowookere can be reached via dipo.olowookere@businesspost.ng

Economy

Bears Tighten Grip on NGX With 0.46% Loss Amid Weak Investor Sentiment

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NGX 30 Index

By Dipo Olowookere

The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited suffered a loss on Friday, the third consecutive day it was closing lower. It lost 0.46 per cent when trading activities ended yesterday.

The decline was triggered by heavy profit-taking in the insurance space, with its index depleting by 8.73 per cent and the consumer goods counter losing 0.32 per cent.

However, the banking index gained 0.56 per cent, and the energy industry appreciated by 0.05 per cent, while the commodity and the industrial goods indices closed flat.

At the close of business, the All-Share Index (ASI) retracted by 671.81 points to 144,628.20 points from 145,300.01 points and the market capitalisation came down by N425 billion to N91.502 trillion from N91.927 trillion.

Investors transacted 1.4 billion equities worth N13.9 billion 32,065 deals compared with the 2.5 billion equities valued at N22.2 billion traded in 43,515 deals on Thursday, indicating a decline in the trading volume, value, and number of deals by 44.00 per cent, 37.39 per cent and 26.31 per cent, respectively.

Universal Insurance topped the activity log with 308.8 million shares valued at N371.1 million, AIICO Insurance sold 118.0 million equities worth N470.7 million, Mutual Benefits transacted 102.4 million stocks for N390.8 million, Veritas Kapital exchanged 70.4 million shares worth N160.0 million, and Sovereign Trust Insurance traded 62.2 million equities valued at N182.3 million.

The trio of Linkage Assurance, International Energy Insurance, and Lasaco Assurance lost 10.00 per cent to sell for N2.43, N3.33, and N4.05 apiece, NEM Insurance depreciated by 9.97 per cent to N32.50, and Meyer crashed by 9.95 per cent to N16.75.

On the flip side, Mutual Benefits rose by 10.00 per cent to N3.85, Ikeja Hotel gained 9.95 per cent to finish at N22.65, Wema Bank appreciated by 9.90 per cent to N22.75, Deap Capital improved by 9.52 per cent to N1.61, and Tripple Gee increased by 8.32 per cent to N5.60.

With 39 price losers and 30 price gainers, the market breadth index of Customs Street ended negative on Friday, with weak investor sentiment.

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Economy

OTC Exchange Falls 1.13%

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OTC stock exchange

Adedapo Adesanya

The NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange fell by 1.13 per cent on Friday, August 15 after recording three price gainers and three price gainers.

During the trading day, the market capitalisation was down by N22.01 billion to N2.146 trillion from N2.171 trillion, and the NASD Unlisted Security Index (NSI) depreciated by 36.79 points to 3,587.76 points, from the 3,628.67 points achieved a day earlier.

According to data, Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc crumbled by N4.86 to end at N43.82 per share versus the preceding day’s N48.68 per share, Okitipupa Plc plunged by N3.70 to finish at N233.30 per unit versus N237.00 per unit, and Afriland Properties Plc dipped by 56 Kobo to close at N21.00 per share compared with the previous day’s N21.56 per share.

Conversely, FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc gained 77 Kobo to settle at N68.61 per unit compared with N67.84 per unit, Acorn Petroleum Plc appreciated by 11 Kobo to N1.30 per share from N1.11 per share, and Industrial and General Insurance (IGI) Plc expanded by 5 Kobo to 57 Kobo per unit from the previous day’s 52 Kobo per unit.

The volume of trades declined by 87.1 per cent to 2.95 million units from 22.9 million units, the value of transactions depleted by 58.6 per cent to N15.4 million from N37.1 million, and the number of deals dropped by 34.9 per cent to 28 deals from 43 deals.

At the close of business, Okitipupa Plc was the most traded stock by value on a year-to-date basis with 158.6 million units worth N5.9 billion, followed by Air Liquide Plc with 507.2 million units valued at N4.2 billion, and FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc with 44.0million units sold for N1.9 billion.

Also, IGI Plc was the most traded stock by volume on a year-to-date basis with 1.1 billion units transacted for N379.6 million, trailed by Impresit Bakolori Plc with 536.9 million units valued at N524.8 million, and Air Liquide Plc with 507.2 million units worth N4.2 billion.

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Economy

Naira Firms to N1,532 at Official Market, N1,550/$1 at Black Market

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naira official market

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Naira appreciated against the United States Dollar in the black market segment of the foreign exchange (FX) market on Friday by N10 to trade at N1,550/$1 compared with the preceding day’s N1,560/$1.

In the same vein, it improved its value against the Dollar by N1.81 or 0.12 per cent in the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM) window yesterday to close at N1,532.73/$1 compared with the N1,534.54/$1 it was transacted on Thursday.

However, the domestic currency depreciated against the Pound Sterling in the official market during the trading day by 50 Kobo to sell for N2,078.39/£1 versus Thursday’s closing price of N2,077.89/£1 and shed N2.87 against the Euro to quote at N1,791.36/€1, in contrast to the previous session’s N1,788.49/€1.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has continued to back the Naira with sizeable forex sales with analysts expecting stability for the Naira, underpinned by robust FX liquidity and an efficient FX market,

“We expect sustained inflows from foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) due to existing carry trade opportunities and stronger market confidence,” analysts at Cordros Capital Limited said in a note.

Also, improving non-oil exports, as well as limited incentives for Naira hoarding and speculation, are expected to reinforce steady inflows from domestic sources.

July inflation also eased as the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported that headline inflation eased by 34 basis points to 21.88 per cent year-on-year in July from 22.22 per cent year on year.

On a month-on-month basis, consumer prices increased to 1.99 per cent versus 1.68 per cent on record in June. Food inflation increased by 77 basis points to 22.74 per cent in July from 21.97 per cent.

Meanwhile, the cryptocurrency market further weakened as traders overlooked rising expectations for the US Federal Reserve interest-rate cuts in September coupled with surging exchange-traded funds (ETF) inflows and institutional adoption.

Market analysts noted that rising core inflation data and stretched valuations pose near-term risks, but institutional demand for crypto remains strong.

Solana (SOL) lost 4.7 per cent to sell at $187.75, Ethereum (ETH) dipped by 4.2 per cent to $4,446.58, Litecoin (LTC) slumped by 2.6 per cent to $118.60, Binance Coin (BNB) fell by 1.6 per cent to $863.13, and Bitcoin (BTC) went down by 1.2 per cent to $117,602.17.

On the flip side, Dogecoin (DOGE) rose by 1.1 per cent to $0.2328, Cardano (ADA) jumped by 0.9 per cent to $0.9571, and Ripple (XRP) appreciated by 0.1 per cent to $3.11, while the US Dollar Tether (USDT) and the US Dollar Coin (USDC) remained unchanged at $1.00 each.

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